It’s always special when you get to work with a family multiple times…especially when the members of that family have become friends! I had the pleasure of working with the Nivilinszky family a year ago this past May when their daughter Terina got married, so when Aggie called to tell me Jillian was getting married I was beyond excited to work with them again! If there is one word I could use to describe Jillian, it is JOY. As I was combing through her wedding photos to pull pictures for this blog, joy was painted across her face in almost every one. Every time I’ve been around her from the time I met with them to plan for Terina’s wedding that joy was present and surrounded her. On her wedding day, she was joy personified.
Matt and Jillian picked Empire Mills as their venue, which is one of my favorites! Empire Mills is a rustic cotton factory nestled in an open field in Madison, Georgia. It’s full of character including a stunning chandelier in the ceremony room, beautiful nooks with tufted sofas and a big open reception hall complete with a Juliet balcony.
When I met Jillian out there on Friday, we were watching the weather—we knew we had a chance of rain and were prepared to rearrange our photography schedule if necessary. My team got to work styling her details, photographing her dresses and when Ashlie from Bud and Bloom walked in with her bouquet, I think everyone’s jaw dropped! Jillian’s colors were absolutely gorgeous and her shoes (she confided that they ordered at least 20 pairs trying to find just the right ones) were red velvet and matched her bridesmaid’s gowns. Her gown had an intricate scalloped lace overlay (with sparkles as she made sure to point out to her girls and her dad at those first looks) and a sweet gold jeweled headband that led back to a soft cathedral length veil.
When we went to work with Matt and the guys, we laughed at Matt’s antics during his groom photos—he struck several poses for us. Then, Jillian’s mother Aggie helped her into her gown. Jillian has a lot of her mom’s vivacious personality—you can’t be around either of them without smiling!
We prepped for a first look with Jillian’s bridesmaids, which had everyone grinning as she sauntered out of the bridal suite swinging her hips and tossing her veil to the squeals of her girls. Her mom, Aggie, watched from the doorway as everyone admired Jillian’s stunning lace gown and cathedral length veil.
Then, we hid Jillian away and went to get her sweet Daddy. Diana, my second photographer, was with me at Terina’s wedding and we both knew Don would get emotional when he saw his beautiful daughter. We brought Jillian out, and while we were adjusting her veil she called out “Hey Dad, your ass looks great in that suit!” We all doubled over laughing.
But the laughter turned palpable emotion when Don turned around to see his little girl in her wedding gown. I’m not sure there were many dry eyes around as we photographed those sweet moments. I remember a very similar reaction at Terina’s wedding—it is just so touching to see how tenderly Don loves his girls.
We went right into portraits with Jillian and her girls and then it was time for her first look with Matt! When Jillian walked toward Matt, her veil caught in the wind and it was just such a sweet moment! We shot portraits with them and then the bridal party. Jillian and Matt both graduated from Georgia Tech, so we used some gold pom poms to get some fun shots with the bridal party!
We headed back inside to shoot the reception details. Aggie is the director for the North Gwinnett Arts Association in Suwanee, so it was no surprise she knocked the reception decor out of the park! They used vintage books and gold geometric shapes softened by greenery and candles and y’all—it was STUNNING.
Their ceremony was God-centered and sweet, and one of my favorite pictures was Don smiling down at Jillian as he waited to give her away…the emotion he was feeling was written all over his face. After sealing their vows with a kiss, we went right into family pictures and then a few “just married” portraits before they were introduced at their reception.
It was truly an honor for me to work with this family twice…they have become sweet friends. To Matt and Jillian, thank you for allowing me the privilege of capturing your day—you are both amazing people and I wish you every blessing as you begin this journey of marriage! Congratulations!
Venue: Empire Mills, Madison, Georgia
Photographer: Audrey Herron Photography
Second Photographer: Diana Bello
Photography Assistant: Lillie Chupp
Videographer: Hunter Probst
Florist: Bud and Bloom, Athens
Officiant - Jeremy Lawler
Wedding Cake - The Baking Grounds Bakery - Buford, GA
DJ - Exquisite Sounds
Day of Wedding Coordinator - Darcy Young
Wedding dress - The White Magnolia Bridal Collection - Atlanta, GA
Shuttle service - Urbana Transportation
