Lindsay is my second cousin. She told me long before she got married she wanted me to photograph her wedding. Once she was engaged, she got right to it and we set all the dates on our calendars. First came the engagement session. This was the first time I met Justin. I wondered what he would think after we were finished. I'm usually pretty lively and animated during a session and a lot of times it's my first time to meet the groom, but this time was different. This guy was meeting his future family member. Well let me tell you, he fit right in. He held his own and then some! We got along great and I could see why Lindsay was so smitten with him. I left knowing the wedding was going to be a good one.
What a FUN wedding it was!!
The day was coordinated by Callie with Something Gold Weddings and Events. She was such a delight to work with and made my job so much easier! Brides, I highly recommend investing in a coordinator. They are much more vital than you realize! The ceremony and reception took place at the Porterdale Memorial Gym in Porterdale, Georgia. It is a new venue that's not really all that new. The historic venue was built in 1939, but burned in 2005. In 2012 the city of Porterdale restored and rehabilitated the structure. You can see glimpses of the original building, like burnt light sockets and fireplaces in rubble.
With a high chance of rain forecasted, the couple opted to put up a tent in the open ceiling venue. That also moved the ceremony positioning around a little bit, but none of it bothered Justin or Lindsay a bit. They were just excited to be marrying one another.
Lindsay & Justin made sure to include everyone in their wedding day. As soon as I walked up to the venue I was excited. When I walked inside the bridal sweet, I about died. I've never seen a bridal room with such detail and character.
The more time I spent with Lindsay and Justin as a couple, the more I could see just how perfect they are for one another. Justin was so attentive to Lindsay, and it was written all over his face just how much she meant to him. Her sweet little grin as she saw his reaction to seeing her in her gown for the first time. HIS reaction to seeing her. Their genuine smiles and laughter during their first dance.
Lindsay walked down the aisle surrounded by her closest friends and family as her groom awaited her with the biggest grin. Only the immediate family sat up front at the ceremony. It was something I had not seen done before, but I liked how those who were most important to the couple, were able to be right there and present. The ceremony was quick and they were married!
Enter the reception.
Now this is where the fun began. They immediately opened up the buffett (my kind of folks). It was catered by Shane's Rib Shack. So delicious! Dinner was followed by speeches from the maid of honor, best man and father of the bride. Next up were the first dances and directly after that was the cake cutting. Nice cake smash, Lindsay ;) Afterwards they had a couple of fun games that involved the guests,
Lindsay and Justin are so much fun to be around. They even had a little scheme planned. While Justin dug around for the garter, he came back up with big huge "granny panties". Hilarious. I had no idea it was comming. There was dancing, and more dancing, and tons of laughter. They certainly knew how to make someone feel included and welcome.
I'm so honored you chose me to be such a big part of your day, Lindsay and Justin. I love the two of you to pieces and I could not be more happy for you.