Tara and Stephen currently live in in Michigan and traveled all the way to Tara’s home for their wedding day! We had a string of bad weather leading up to May 21st so I was a little nervous we wouldn’t be able to get Tara’s #1 priority shot on my list, a beautiful sunset shot of the two of them on the bay at the Grand Hotel. The universe was on my side though (notice the first photo of blue skies looking over Mobile Bay, the view from Tara’s apartment at the Hampton Inn in Daphne) and everything went off without a hitch! I met the girl’s at the Hampton Inn around 11am and photographed a few hours of getting ready, then headed via the Beach Bum Trolley (Tammy was super friendly, by the way!! Showed up on time and was there waiting for us when we were ready to go) to the Malbis Greek Orthodox church. You may have seen it on the side of the road but if you ever have the chance to go in and take a look (they have visiting hours), you definitely should! This was one of the coolest ceremonies both Jesse and I have ever photographed or attended. I loved the Greek culture from the religious ceremony to the greek dancing at the reception. After photographing at a few pit-stops downtown Fairhope, we arrived to the Grand Hotel for a full night of great food and dancing!
My favorite part of this wedding day? Spending the entire day with this wonderful family! Seriously you will not meet a group of sweeter people. Genuine, loving, kind… I hope one day my own kiddies will grow up to show the same love and support for our family and one another as this family does. They inspire me!!
Ok, back on track. 😉 Jenna and her 14 bridesmaids fit wonderfully into downtown Fairhope’s Vine Boutique and Salon, owned by the twin sisters of the groom. I absolutely love utilizing natural light indoors with the bridal prep and this location did not disappoint! Jenna and Cade also chose to get married in the Fairhope United Methodist Church, the same church both of their parents were married in. We took a trolley to Oak Hollow Farm in Fairhope, AL for the reception. We unfortunately saw some heavy rain that evening but I don’t think anyone stopped for a moment to notice! Oak Hollow provided the guests with delicious food and the 2nd Groove Showband put on a show and this enormous wedding party and danced the night away!
Decor: SOHO Rentals
Hair and Makeup: Jenny Garcia, Casey Hammond, Kylie Weber
Venues: Vine Boutique and Salon, Fairhope AL ; Hampton Inn, Fairhope AL ; United Methodist Church of Fairhope, AL ; Oak Hollow Farm, Fairhope AL
Flowers: Southern Veranda
Band: 2nd Groove Showband
Bride’s Cake: Betty Weber
Groom’s Cake: Paula Malone
Videographer: Kris Skoda