I don’t know too many brides who would still have a positive outlook when facing a 100% chance of rain their wedding day….literally 100% ALL day…but Kaylin did. When I spoke with her the Thursday before her wedding to discuss the rain plans for her photos, she said she had already had her moment of disappointment, but she was ready to make the best of it.
When I arrived, the rain had already been falling and the ground was soaked. When I walked up to the porch I noticed a large painter’s ladder propped against the inn. I knew I had to do everything I could to get it moved, because with the weather, the porch was going to be a key place to shoot. After enlisting the help of Pam at the front desk, we located the maintenance worker, Jay, who said he wasn’t able to move the ladder alone. About that time, Adam and Jacob were bringing in a Yeti cooler, and they were more than willing to help get that moved. (A HUGE thank you to them…because it made all the difference in the background of Kaylin and Austin’s photos!)
Meanwhile, Kaylin was hanging out with her bridesmaids in her stunning lace robe. I worked on her detail shots, which included a special handkerchief made from the lace of her mother’s gown. Austin’s mother had a surprise for him—his beloved grandfather had recently passed away, and she had a picture of Austin with his grandfather pinned to his boutonniere. They were both emotional as she pinned it on his lapel but it was a touching way to include him in this special day.
With the rain, we tried to stay indoors as much as we could—and the guys were troopers working in the limited space that we had. Kaylin was zipped into her gown and after a sweet first look with her father, we went outside for photos. Y’all—Kaylin’s train was stunning. And long. While on the porch, we arranged it on top of white trash bags to keep it as dry as possible. When we went out on the steps, I gave Kaylin the choice of laying it out for photos but let her know it would get wet. Kaylin decided there wasn’t point of having a stunning train without laying it all out, so as quickly as we could we draped it over the stairs, got some shots, and got her back on the porch. She had SUCH an amazing attitude! She said “I don’t care, we will dry it!” And she went upstairs where her friends and family used hair dryers to get it dried before her first look with Austin.
I knew originally Kaylin and Austin did not want a first look, but the weather changed their minds. I wanted to keep it as private and intimate as possible, and with the weather, our only option for a location was inside where the ceremony was to take place. We had Kaylin walk down the aisle to Austin and call his name—and even though Austin is pretty stoic, you cold see the emotion in his face as he beheld his beautiful bride.
After a few private moments we went back out for photos, and once again Kaylin’s train got wet. Again, she shrugged it off and before the ceremony her gown was spread out (and pretty much took up the entire bridal suite) and blow driers came out again to dry it.
The ceremony was incredibly sweet and God-centered. Austin eagerly kissed his bride and we made out way out for bridal party photos. We were loosing light quickly (another huge reason why when facing overcast skies First Looks are so beneficial…you get the brighter light earlier in the day!) so after family formals we quickly went back out for “just married” photos. We had maybe five minutes where the rain was reduced to a drizzle, so we tossed the umbrellas and managed a few shots before the the rain fell again. The wind picked up, tossing Kaylin’s veil around and as we finished we got them back into the bridal suite for a quick and private meal before reception introductions.
During open dancing, the rain was still falling…and I decided to ask Kaylin and Austin to come out one more time in the rain for a night shot. I really wanted them to have a unique and special photo, and they had no problem coming back out when I told them what I wanted to do. But that’s just the type of couple they are…trusting, laid back, and up for anything. It was evident throughout the entire day and evening that they were focused on the joy of coming together as husband and wife, and not on the weather. Kaylin’s sweet smile was painted on her face the entire day, and I am SO proud of the way she handled everything and the amazing attitude that she had. It really exemplifies where their hearts are—and to be a part of capturing the day for a couple this special was nothing short of a privilege for me.
Kaylin and Austin, you have been such a joy to work with…I wish you both every blessing, and I wish you a WARM and SUNNY honeymoon in Jamaica this week!
Venue: The Variety Works
Wedding Coordinator: Chasity Burroughs
Photographer: Audrey Herron Photography
Second Photographer: Kristal Whitley
Florals: Rhonda Bell (Bride’s aunt)
