There are few things more flattering than when friends invite you to shoot their wedding – especially when one of the couple is a fabulous designer/hand letterer and the other is a crazy talented photographer! I first met Kristen through the Augusta, GA Rising Tide Society TuesdaysTogether group. We found that with every meeting, she and I would spend hours after the end of the meeting chatting about everything under the sun. Shortly thereafter, Jon-Michael was assigned as the photographer for an article I was featured in for Skirt! Magazine here! These two perfectly complement each other: from their love of gardening, to their welcoming spirits, to their passion for fostering cats, they fit together so well.

When Kristen and Jon-Michael began planning their wedding, I couldn’t have been more excited that they invited me to capture their day! As a stationery and graphic designer, with a skill for all things event design, Kristen brought their garden inspired wedding to life with the most amazing team. Between her passion for gorgeous paper and lettering, and Jon-Michael’s love of photography, I couldn’t be more honored to have their wedding featured in print in the Annual issue of The Celebration Society and celebrate their love with everyone!

There were two major factors that would influence the where – it had to be easy for family to get to and it had to be spectacular. Kristen is a garden girl at heart and the two searched high and low for the perfect setting that would set the stage for their nuptials. They decided on the picturesque gardens at Cator Woolford. Its immaculate garden provided the perfect backdrop for the two to exchange vows in the peak season of summer. Armed with her florist friend Cherie from Waiting on Wildflowers, the two dreamt up arrangements that only accentuated the blooming garden. Cherie nailed it impeccably to create a garden soiree for Kristen & Jon-Michael’s wedding.

The sun was certainly sparkling that day (whew… it was a toasty Southern summer), but it was a perfect match for Kristen’s most stunning Jenny Packham dress & vintage inspired look by Cucumber & Mint. I absolutely love that she encouraged her bridesmaids to choose their own favorite floor-length sparkly dress! From their style to Jon-Michael’s smile, this day is a forever favorite of mine. The two of them shared tears during a first look, and again during the ceremony on this sentimental, special and long-awaited day. There may have been tears from me too… 😉

In honor of their pet cats, Kristen & JM included signature cocktails named after each of the furry friends, and invited guests to a dance party and dessert bar full desserts home made by friends of the couple! And at the end of the night, the two exited through a sea of bubbles adorned with leis that were a surprise from their day-of coordinator, Meghan Bishop, to send them off on a honeymoon to Hawaii. I’m not going to lie, their radiance is still so fresh in my mind – such joy and excitement to finally be married!

Kristen & JM, words will never be enough to say thank you for inviting me to be a part of your wedding day and lives. Having friends as clients is such an honor, and getting to walk alongside you two in the season of engagement, marriage, business growth and now moving to Atlanta has been such a special opportunity. I’m so grateful for you guys… and the only thing that would make this better is if you were still living in Atlanta so that we could hang and celebrate your stunning feature in The Celebration Society! So much love for y’all!

And check out the amazing video from their day by Cre8ive Cinema!

Additional Vendors: Venue: Cator Woolford Gardens at the Frazer Center | Second Shooter: Chelsey Dellinger Photography