Amsale bridesmaids dresses

The absolute best part of my job is the couples I meet. I’ve been blessed with the kindest brides, grooms, families and wedding parties who make the day so much fun.

Francie and Smylie met when they were 15 and 16 and have the sweetest story. They are both from Vestavia Hills (Birmingham AL), where my family lived for 10 years before moving to Nashville, so we have lots of mutual friends. Smylie grew up on Vestavia Hills Country Club golf course, learned how to play the game there and now plays on the PGA Tour. I’m always excited when I can photograph a couple where they have a connection to a place that holds so many memories, so I was thrilled we were able to do their First Look and portraits at VCC.

Francie worked with Mariée Ami to plan her wedding with an amazing vendor team (see complete list at the end of this post). She was such a pleasure to work with from day one; and when the wedding day weather forecast included a tornado warning and her portraits were interrupted by thunderstorms, she was calm and full of grace, without even one word of complaint. She radiated joy all day, from getting ready at her family’s home to their sendoff at The Club in a golf cart, of course.

Francie has a lifestyle blog and Instagram account @Fairwayfinds. Follow along as she shares travel adventures and healthy living finds while on the PGA Tour with Smylie. Francie signs off with each blog post “Always finding joy,”. Yes, she is, and her wedding day had so much of it!

Francie and Smylie, thank you for choosing me to be a small part of your beautiful wedding day! Best wishes for a lifetime of health, happiness and birdies!

You can also see their wedding published on Brides.com.

Image above as seen in June 4, 2018 issue of Sports Illustrated
and online in USA Today, Golf Week and Golf Channel.

Photographer: Heather Durham | Assistant Photographers: Emily Kicklighter & Bethany Rogers | Planner: Mariée Ami| Floral Design: The Kings Garden | Wedding Gown: Custom Liancarlo top and Augusta Jones skirt with Toni Federici veil from Carriage House Weddings | Groom’s Tux: Custom Ralph Lauren | Groomsmen Tuxes: Mr. Burch Formalwear | Bridesmaids Dresses: Amsale from Bella Bridesmaids Birmingham|Bridesmaids Earrings: Nicola Bathie Jewelry |Custom Wedding Invitations & Lettering: Weezie B Designs | Bride Hair Stylist: Candi with Roots Helena|Bride Make Up Artist: Kerri Bunn of BOMA Beautiful | Bridesmaids Make Up Artists: Carly Morgan & Sydney Carter | Venues: Vestavia Country Club + The Club Birmingham | Cake Artist: Magic Muffins | Hand Dyed Silk Ribbon: Cocoon Silk Ribbon | Videography: Four10 Films| Entertainment: Az Izz

SaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSave

Every beautiful detail of Megan and Andrew’s Birmingham, Alabama wedding was perfectly curated by the talented planning team at Mariee Ami. Megan’s gown was by local Alabama designer, Heidi Elnora, and her blush Amsale bridesmaids dresses were some of my very favorite this season.

I’ve known Andrew’s Mom, Sharon, for years, so I was thrilled their families wanted me to photograph the wedding. I first met Megan and Andrew on a beautiful spring day for their Engagement Session at Andrew’s family’s home on Smyer Lake. After spending a short time with them that afternoon, I knew it was going to be a fun wedding day! And, although they didn’t think so, they were very much naturals in front of the camera.

The details of this wedding are truly gorgeous, but my favorite takeaway from this wedding was the way their families stayed together to celebrate. It’s very easy for the families of the bride and groom to get pulled in different directions at the wedding reception: but somehow they made sure to visit with and enjoy guests, while still staying together. I’m not sure I’ve ever shot a wedding where I was able to get the bride, groom, both families and best friends on the front row dancing together in reception shots. And, instead of them using their iPhones all night, the chose to just live the day and let me preserve the moments for them. What a gift to each other and to me! Their love and adoration for each other, being present in every moment, was the theme throughout the day. These families were such a joy and pleasure to work with!

Please excuse this lengthy post, but there’s just so much to share from Megan and Andrew’s absolutely perfect day, that even the rain couldn’t change. One of my favorite shots of them is under an umbrella. “I’m just a fella, a fella with an umbrella, looking for a girl who saved her love for a rainy day.” — Frank Sinatra