I met Andy and Lizzy for their engagement session in January of 2019 at the venue where they planned to marry—the Taylor Grady House in Athens. There was such a neat story behind their venue—Lizzy’s grandmother helped to save and restore the Taylor Grady House—so for Lizzy and Andy to marry there was going to be really special! Lizzy’s close friend, Caroline Stroud, who is an artist and often does live paintings at weddings designed and painted the emblem at the top of their invitations. With the help of their coordinator, they planned every detail of the wedding day.
But, life often throws us curve balls—and Covid completely changed their carefully laid plans. Andy and Lizzy decided not to let Covid impact their wedding day and their vows—and so with only their immediate family, they exchanged vows in Lizzy’s backyard. Her beautiful satin gown was tucked away, and all of their plans were postponed.
After Lizzy and Andy were married, she texted me photos of them in their backyard snapped by her family on a cell phone—and said “Look! We remembered the poses you taught us at our engagement session!” Y’all—this is truly a special couple. To have the positive outlook they did when many brides would be a wreck over being robbed of their perfect day shows that what truly mattered to Andy and Lizzy was not the flowers, the dress, the venue—but just becoming husband and wife.
Finally, Friday, Lizzy got to wear that beautiful satin wedding gown for a one year vow renewal—and they FINALLY had their day!!
We photographed that special invitation so lovingly created by Caroline, and Lizzy was utterly stunning in her elegant gown and cathedral length veil. Their venue, The Hill, reflected their love of historic homes, and the weather couldn’t have been more perfect!
Their ceremony took place in the sunken garden—a small, brick lined space with trailing creeping ficus and iron gates that is reminiscent of Charleston or Savannah.
Andy beamed as he watched Lizzy walking toward him, and they renewed their vows in front of their family and friends.
Their reception took place under a white tent in the front yard, and Lizzy and Andy shared their official first dance. (I have to say, I was super impressed with Andy’s dance moves—he was spinning and twirling Lizzy all over the dance floor!)
Sometimes, in life, things don’t work out as we plan. But I believe, as I know Andy and Lizzy do, that God’s plans are always best, and while this day was not what they originally envisioned, it was truly the perfect day for this incredibly sweet and special couple, and I was honored to have the privilege of capturing it!
*Special thanks to Lizzy’s sister Frances for helping with her gown, veil toss, and being just an overall amazing maid of honor/photographer assistant!!
Venue: The Hill, Athens, Georgia (Epting Events)
Photographer: Audrey Herron Photography
Coordinator: Debra Lassiter, Perfectly Polished
Florist: Brett Glenn Florist
Musician: Athena Quartet
Music: Band X
Transportation: Bulldog Limousine
