Cozy North Georgia Cabin Engagement Session

Today’s post is really special - part one of a two-day cozy intimate wedding weekend we spent with our friends, CJ & Tara, in the North Georgia mountains. CJ is one of Aubrey’s oldest friends, and he was actually a groomsman in our wedding almost 14 years ago! So when he and Tara got engaged, we were so so honored when they asked us not only to photograph their wedding, but for Aubrey to officiate. He’d never officiated a wedding before, but he got ordained online just so he could marry them ❤️

We initially planned their elopement to be near Joshua Tree National Park, but with the pandemic, we shifted the plan and stayed closer to home. It ended up working out beautifully, because their immediate families (and their dog, Hank!) were able to join them for their ceremony at a beautiful cabin in the mountains.

Aubrey and I spent the night before the wedding at the cabin with CJ, Tara, and Hank, and we were able to do a cozy little session for them to document their last engaged day. Honestly, I don’t get to do day-before sessions very often (just because we usually shoot engagement photos pretty far in advance before the wedding), but I’d LOVE to do more of them in the future! They are so sweet. We kept it low-key and snuggly, with some absolutely killer sunset light. I love these. I’m so stoked for Tara & CJ, and am so glad we’re all friends.

Next up, the ceremony (featuring Rev. Aubrey)!

Rustic Modern Amelia Island Destination Wedding at Walker's Landing

Katelyn and Chris planned the most beautiful destination wedding in Amelia Island, and we were so honored to capture every sweet moment. 

Amelia Island is the perfect backdrop for a modern coastal wedding - the Spanish moss, the vast marshes, and the sleepy waterways create a relaxed and romantic vibe for portraits. There’s so much ground to cover for such a small island! Aubrey and I have visited several times in the past with our family, and we always find something new to love about it (this time around, it was a bottomless mimosa brunch at Leddy’s Porch).

Katelyn & Chris chose Walker’s Landing at Amelia Island Plantation to host their ceremony and reception, and it was the perfect blend of everything Amelia Island has to offer. We planned for the first look and portraits all around Drummond Point Park, which worked out absolutely beautifully and gave us some really great variety in their photos.

Side note - this wedding makes a really great case in support of a first look. I never try to sway my couples one way or the other (it’s a really personal choice - Aubrey, for one, did NOT want a first look on our wedding day). But when you’ve got so many cool places to work with for portraits, the bottom line is that we likely won’t get to hit all of them without doing a first look. There are so many logistics involved with keeping the couple separated until the ceremony, and it’s usually much more time consuming. So if you’re looking for a way to maximize your portrait time and cover the most ground you can, I’d suggest considering a first look.

Katelyn & Chris chose to work with an incredible team of vendors for their wedding, and I can’t say enough what an honor it was to be a part of the squad! Simply Grace Events handled every gorgeous detail, with Shea Hopely behind all the blooms. I can’t even deal with those GIANT coral peonies. They were so perfect paired with all the muted green tones in the palms and moss at the ceremony site, AND with the natural wood tones in the reception space. One of my other favorite details was that Katelyn and Chris chose to display both of their mothers’ wedding dresses at their reception. So sweet, and both dresses were gorgeous, of course!

Throughout the night, the guests played giant board games on the boardwalk outside while I took Katelyn & Chris for more portraits down by the water (can’t beat that coastal sunset). Then, everyone danced for the rest of the evening until a super fun golf cart sendoff. It was so much fun, and I hope you enjoy the photos.

Photography: Lauren Rae Photography
Venue: Walker's Landing at Amelia Island Plantation
Event Design: Simply Grace Events
Floral Design: Shea Hopely
DJ: Island Sound
Catering: Catering By Liz
Dress Boutique: Bridals By Lori
Dress Designer: Eve of Milady
Bridesmaid Dresses: Jasmine Belsoie
Groomsman Attire: Men's Warehouse
Jewelry Designer: Chaplin's Jewelry
Calligrapher: Love, Louise Designs
Invitations: Paper Source
Cake Designer: Nana Teresa's Bake Shop
Rentals: Luxe Party Rentals; Jax Chair Boutique
Photobooth: Shutterbooth
Musicians: Music by Pegge, LLC

Industrial Modern Atlanta Wedding at Summerour Studio

After photographing Kira's sister Hayley's wedding several years ago, I was SO thrilled to be able to capture Kira's as well. This family is just so special and sweet. Kira and Brooks are high school sweethearts, and I love their love.

Photography: Lauren Rae Photography
Cinematography: Bob's Eye View
Ceremony: The Episcopal Church of St. Peter & St. Paul
Reception Venue: Summerour Studio
Floral Design: Stylish Stems
DJ: Complete Music
Catering: Bold Events & Design
Dress Boutique: BHLDN
Dress Designer: Willowby Watters (Reagan Gown)
Bridesmaid Dresses: Jenny Yoo
Shoes: Badgley Mischka (Gigi flat)
Cake Designer: Sweet Caroline's Cakes