One of the things about shooting weddings that I love is the relationships I build with my couples. From the moment I met Anne during our initial consultation, we hit it off. The engagement session went off without a hitch…even the little bit of rain we got didn’t deter Anne and Will from having a great time. And their wedding day was nothing short of lovely. So much of that was because of the awesome couple that these two are together!

Anne and Will are the type of people that you meet and want to immediately become friends with. They are welcoming and loving, which you could clearly see from looking around the room at their friends and family on their wedding day. Despite the threatening rain and an undetermined ceremony location down to the last minute, Anne and Will were as joyful as could be. Luckily, the rain held off enough to have portraits outside (our favorite because in our books, you can’t beat that beautiful natural light!) and a tented outdoor ceremony.

Side note…Anne and Will followed the southern tradition of “burying the bourbon”, which is supposed to ward off rain on the day of the wedding. The bride and groom-to-be must visit their venue exactly a month before the wedding date and bury a full bottle of bourbon, upside down. While it *did* rain on their wedding day, we say that the tradition still granted them favor. With heavy rain forecasted in the weather, our team had a game plan for all wedding party and family portraits to be photographed under shelter. BUT, the rain held off until after the ceremony, so we were still able to do the majority of the portraits outdoors. Maybe there is some truth to the Southern tradition, after all!

As the rain began to drizzle and we finished up family portraits after the ceremony, everyone gathered inside of the Cleveland Country Club for dinner and reception activities.

Some of my favorite touches from their wedding day included Anne’s choice of black bridesmaid dresses that always looks so classic, their wedding “cake” made from donuts and the incredible artist they hired to create a painting of the evening live!

The rain came down hard the rest of the evening but I don’t think anyone even noticed. The party was going strong late into the night as Anne and Will celebrated, surrounded by their dearest friends and family.

Planner – Candace Sharpe of Erin Padgett Events

Hair/Make Up – Cali Stott

Dress Purchased From – J Majors

Bridesmaid Dresses Purchased From – Brideside

Grooms and Groomsmen Attire – The Black Tux