marriage + motherhood
kate + steven | rustic jewel toned wedding in tuscaloosa alabama | huntsville alabama fine art wedding photographer
it was a beautiful december day. after following miles of farmland, passing countless cow and catfish farms, we arrived at a beautiful rustic barn set on a small hill. fabric was draped along the entrances to the covered patio of the barn and it was flowing back and forth ever so slightly. people were walking in and out carrying giant buckets of the most beautiful florals i have ever seen. different types of china were being brought in and placed around the tables that were made from pallets. i walked under the fabric draped entrance and was immediately met by the bride’s aunt and mother. they hugged me and told me where i could find kate.
steam met my face as i pushed the door open…bridesmaids dresses were hanging and being steamed, i could hear giggling when i walked in a bit further. after rounding the corner i found the bride, getting her hair done, chatting and giggling with all of her bridesmaids. as soon as i walked in kate jumped up and gave me the biggest hug! she was all smiles! kate was the embodiment of a giggly and excited bride! kate showed me around very quickly and showed me where to find her bridal details…and oh my goodness…they were perfect!
kate and steven decided to share a first look so they could go straight into bride and groom portraits. i love when my brides choose to do a first look. it gives us time to really explore where we are shooting and we get a greater variety of portraits.
as kate walked up to steven, her excitement took over…instead of just tapping his shoulder, she laid both hands on his shoulders and patted him with earnest! steven turned around and his face lit up! you could tell he was thinking that she was the most beautiful bride in the world. steven and kate exchanged their gifts with each other. kate, a lovely perfume and steven, a new Bible with a hand written note inside.
after their first look, kate and steven wanted to spend a few moments alone praying and looking through a photo album together. they sat under the wooden cross at the altar where they would soon say their vows as husband and wife.
after a few moments alone, reflecting on the day before them, they were ready for their portrait time.
watching kate and steven interact together is one of my favorite things about their wedding day! they balance each other out perfectly. kate is a carefree, fun loving, giggly bride! steven is a laid back, quiet and observant man. his silent ways are matched by kate’s robust laughter and outgoing personality.
steven just stares at kate with awe whenever they’re around each other. even during the reception, i caught him gazing at her with a smile plastered across his face…watching her interact with the guests. this is a couple that is going to grow old together…happily 🙂
kate and steven’s ceremony was focused not only on their relationship with each other, but their personal relationships with Christ. there was not a dry eye around when they read their vows to each other.
i caught a few moments immediately following the ceremony, where kate was crying from pure joy and steven just could not quit hugging and kissing his new bride!!!
the rest of the evening was spent listening to some of the funniest speeches i’ve ever heard, eating some wonderful food, fabulous cake and watching the couple partake in their first dance! the couple exited after releasing chinese lanterns, watching so fireworks and then lighting up some sparklers! it was definitely a night to remember…
kate and steven,
your wedding day was so perfect. not just the schedule, but every single aspect of your day! i wouldn’t have changed a thing. i am so happy to have met you two and to be able to watch you two love on each other the entire day. i cannot wait to see where life takes you guys!!! congratulations!!!!
-lauren
Our story…
We both started working at the “Chick fil A” in Tuscaloosa the summer of 2014. The first time I saw him my heart literallly dropped and I fell halfway into a trash can. He walked RIGHT by me and says he doesn’t remember that happening. But I had a major crush on him ever since. It took him 6 months after that happened for him to introduce himself, get my number, and ask me on a date!
One of our favorite things to do is go hiking and explore pretty things that God has given us! There is a spot in Tuscaloosa called Lake Nicol that has a really pretty waterfall with a swimming hole, and also cliffs that wrap a good ways around the lake. On Sunday, May 15th, 2016 after church, he took me to one of the cliffs with a blanket and a basket of goodies. We talked and ate the shrimp alfredo he cooked. As we were about to leave he knelt down and popped the question!!
December 24, 2014 We went to go see the hobbit! I woke up early to pack for Christmas while he worked all day so by the time we got to the movie I was exhausted! I don’t do well if I don’t get enough sleep SO ended up falling asleep during the movie! I was mortified but he thought it was cute.
After about six months of us dating I went on a mission trip to Zambia, Africa. He had recently professed how serious he was and his interest in never letting me go. I was his first serious relationship, but he was not mine. Therefore, I was very reserved and extra cautious with my heart. Although I didn’t want to leave him I knew God would reveal a big decision about our relationship whether that was to leave or stay. It was by the end of my trip that I knew this was the person that Jesus saw fit to lead my family. It was SO evident in the scripture he lead both Steven and I to pray for. There were too many non coincidences that lead me to be completely confident we were fulfilling Gods will by being together.
Vendor List
Jacket- Made/ Vintage, Dress- Diane’s Formal Affair in Jasper, AL
Joseph A Banks
Joseph A Banks
River Bend Farm in Gallion, AL
River Bend Farm in Gallion, AL
Kelly Kirkham
Kelly Kirkham and Mimosa Ridge in Belmont, AL
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