I had fun getting to know these two on a perfect fall day. We started their Engagement Session at Centennial Park, because several months ago, Alex flew in town, surprised Rachel there and asked her to marry him on the steps of the Parthenon. From there we made our way to the Shelby pedestrian bridge downtown. Rachel won’t be living in Nashville after they get married, so she wanted to capture this beautiful city in their images since it’s an important piece of their story.
I had the pleasure of photographing Caroline and Daniel’s Tuscaloosa, AL Engagement Session and Birmingham, AL Wedding several years ago. We had the best time together! After the wedding, they moved to Atlanta for Daniel’s job. Earlier this year I got an email from them asking me to photograph them with their pup at Piedmont Park to document a city that’s now also part of their story. How sweet is that?! I couldn’t say yes fast enough. I’m thankful they want me to keep capturing milestones in their lives because they really are the sweetest! And, we were blessed with some amazing fall color in the park that day.
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THANK YOU to all of my sweet brides and their families for your kind reviews on WeddingWire! I’m beyond grateful that you trust me to photograph one of the most important days in your life and thrilled that you’ve chosen Heather Durham Photography as being in the top 5% of wedding professionals on WeddingWire based on client experience. What a great start to a new year and I’m looking forward to telling more wedding stories with my camera in 2018. It’s a privilege. 
Oh how I love to shoot the details that define each of my bride’s unique and beautiful style. Before the wedding day, I remind all of my brides to bring everything to the getting ready location, so that I can shoot it when I arrive. A bride’s perfume, invitation suite, programs, notes, gifts, jewelry, shoes, garters, and handkerchief are thoughtfully curated and begged to be remembered as part of the wedding day story. It’s also a great idea to set aside lingerie, so I can style it lying on a chair or on the bed to be photographed before the bride puts it on. Pets are family and also an important part of the story I try to include when I can. Often, it’s a family dog, but sometimes it’s the horse the bride grew up riding from childhood.
In addition to the personal and paper details, the floral, cake and reception design set the tone for the day. There’s always a “wow” moment thanks to the talented planners who meticulously think through every important element with our brides. This post features some of the loveliness I’ve photographed over the years. Hope you enjoy. And, what a pleasure it is to work with the planners featured and listed at the end of this post.
Wedding and Event Planners featured in this post:
Mariée Ami
Handley Breaux Designs
Invision Events
Jayne Bubis Events
M. Elizabeth Events
AK Brides
Laura Burchfield Events
Thorne & Thistle
Kristen is a self proclaimed ‘Military Brat” who has lived all over, including Germany when she was a young girl. Sean is from Mobile, Alabama, but they both currently live and work in Dallas. So the question became, “Where in the U.S. will we get married?” They decided to choose a city that was a fun destination and an easily accessible distance for their friends and family to travel. They decided on Nashville and The Cordelle with accommodations at The Westin.
Kristen chose a beautiful, yet simple wedding gown design by Truvelle, based in Vancouver, Canada. The bridesmaids wore a soft color palette of complimenting pastel hues by Jenny Yoo. Bella Petali did a beautiful job dressing up The Cordelle with lovely florals, and I’m a fan of any caterer who serves biscuits at the reception. Thank you Mariposa’s Catering!
Here are some of my favorite images from Kristen and Sean’s wedding day in Music City. You’re going to love their First Look. Sean’s reaction was priceless. 
PHOTOGRAPHER | Heather Durham
ASSISTANT PHOTOGRAPHERS | Jana Sobel & Colt Fetters
VENUE | The Cordelle
WEDDING GOWN | Truvelle from A and bé Dallas
VEIL | Hushed Commotion NYC
BRIDESMAIDS DRESSES | Jenny Yoo from Bella Bridesmaids Birmingham
GROOM & GROOMSMEN ATTIRE | Joseph A. Bank
FLORAL & EVENT DESIGN | Bella Pateli
CATERING | Mariposa’s Catering
CAKE ARTIST | Susie’s Sweets, Susie Dennison
HAIR & MAKE UP | Brittany Massey
RENTALS | The 12th Table
ENTERTAINMENT | Tim Tyler and Lane Wood
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Chris & Emily wanted an intimate ceremony with only family present to exchange their nuptials. They kept it simple and meaningful and it was perfect. And the way they looked at each other all day was the sweetest. You’ll see…
You can see Emily and Chris’s Birmingham Botanical Gardens Engagement Session here.
Photographer: Heather Durham | 2nd Shooter: Becca Bell | Floral Design: Laurie Freidman, LSL Event Design | Wedding Gown: Diane’s Formal Affair | Tux: J.Crew | Bridesmaid Dress: Adrianna Papell | Catering: Savoie Catering | Cake Artist: Edgar’s Bakery
I can’t wait for Megan & Andrew’s Birmingham, AL wedding this weekend with planner, Marée Ami. I’ve been hearing about all of the lovely details for this fun couple, and I can’t wait to see it all come together! But first, I’m excited to share their Engagement Session at Andrew’s family’s beautiful Smyer Lake home.
David’s Mom, Cindi ,and I have known each other for years. She owns a pilates and cycle studio in Birmingham where I used to teach. So, I was so excited when I was asked to photograph her son, David’s wedding. It was such a lovely wedding in shades of white with powder blue bridesmaids dresses by Amsale. Sarah Corrine’s custom wedding gown by Birmingham’s own Heidi Elnora, was classic and timeless, created to give Sarah Corrine two slightly different looks for the wedding ceremony and the reception.
It was obvious that Sarah Corrine and David adore each other! I wish them all the best for a lifetime together of health and happiness.
