When I left my house to head to Empire Mills this past Saturday, it was snowing! An hour south of me in Madison, Kaylynn and her girls saw a few flurries but then it turned to rain. Despite the cold, wet weather, Kaylynn and Brandon’s day was classically beautiful and romantic!
I have to brag on Kaylynn’s bridesmaids—when I arrived in the bridal suite at Empire Mills, these gorgeous ladies already had their gowns steamed and hung on their decorative hangers!!
After photographing the details, we went to work with the guys. Luckily the rain had just stopped so we never had to pull out the umbrellas.
Kaylynn was zipped into her gorgeous lace gown, and after a first look with her bridesmaids and her dad we headed out into the cold for photos! The girls had warm fur jackets but agreed to brave the cold to do some photos without them as well for some variety. We shot her bridal portraits both with and without her fur jacket—and y’all, Kaylynn reminded me of one of the classic Hollywood Starlets like Grace Kelly, or Ingrid Bergman. She looked truly stunning!
After a quick break for Kaylynn to warm up, we went to get Brandon for their first look. As Kaylynn called his name, and he turned around, Brandon’s look of anticipation turned into shock, and then tears of joy as he watched his beautiful bride walking toward him. By the time Kaylynn reached him, they were both in tears, and I have to admit, my eyes watered a little as I photographed their reactions.
Kaylynn had requested some photos in the vines in the back of the property which really are only accessible in winter. I noticed from afar that there was a branch in the way, so my assistant, Lillie, went to get Tony, who was coordinating Kaylynn and Brandon’s wedding, to help her move it out of the way. When we got out to the location, they informed us it wasn’t a branch, but a small tree they had to move! (Thank you Tony and Lillie!!)
Kaylynn and Brandon are just so easy to be around, so they make my job easy of capturing natural portraits! When they look at one another, their faces just dissolve into smiles, and the joy they have when they are around one another is truly special!
Kaylynn went back into the bridal suite to defrost, and her attentive girls were instantly there ushering her to a chair, getting a jacket and blanket for her, and spot cleaning the hem of her gown.
Their ceremony was intimate and attended by their closest friends and family. Kaylynn walked down the aisle to Brandon on her father’s arm with her cathedral length veil flowing behind her. They exchanged vows, lit a unity candle, and sealed their promises with a kiss.
We shot a few “just married” portraits following the ceremony, and Kaylynn traded her veil for some crystal hair combs and a warm fur coat.
Their reception details were so creative—table one had a framed photo of Kaylynn and Brandon when they were one…table two, a framed photo of Kaylynn and Brandon when they were two, and so on. A donut board adorned the back wall, and the firepits were lit a dusk for s’mores.
They closed out their evening with a sparkler send off. Their day truly was a perfect reflection of them—classic, intimate, and southern. Brandon and Kaylynn have been such a joy for me to get to know, and to be able to capture these memories for them was truly a blessing for me! Kaylynn and Brandon, as you begin this amazing journey called marriage, I pray that God will fill your lives with love, laughter and blessings!
Venue: Empire Mills
Photographer: Audrey Herron Photography
Second Photographer: Kristal Whitley
Assistant: Lillie Chupp
Florist: JL Designs
Wedding Coordinator: Tony Craps
Makeup/Hair: Bombshell Creations
Groom’s Bowtie: Brackish
Cake: Publix
Donuts: Krispy Kreme
DJ: Talented DJ (Locust Grove)
Dress Boutique: Tiffinie Bleu Bridal, Augusta
