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Sabrina and Ben’s had an intimate wedding at Lake Conestee Nature Preserve. It was a heartfelt celebration of love and nature, that focused on simplicity and family. Held in a serene meadow surrounded by towering trees, their ceremony felt intimate and personal, perfectly reflecting their love for the outdoors. With just a touch of decor in soft blues and greens, the natural beauty of the park served as the primary backdrop, bringing their vision of a laid-back, nature-filled wedding to life.

For Sabrina and Ben, Contestee Nature Preserve wasn’t just a pretty location—it was a sentimental spot. Ben works at the park, and the couple has spent countless hours walking its trails with their beloved dog, Milo. Choosing this spot for their wedding felt like an extension of their everyday lives together. The ceremony took place under the shade of a giant oak tree, which made the setting feel grand. It was the perfect spot for two nature lovers to exchange vows and begin the next chapter of their lives.

Everything about their day was locally sourced, supporting the city they’ve made their home together. Dinner was held at Soby’s, a Greenville favorite, and dessert featured their all-time favorite sweet potato cake from Brick Street Cafe. The small, meaningful details kept the day relaxed and personal, just the way they wanted.

However, the most memorable part of the day came as we finished the ceremony and wrapped up family photos. Suddenly, the skies opened up and a torrential downpour hit. Thankfully, we had already captured all the important moments, but it added a spontaneous, fun twist to the day. Everyone sprinted for cover, and we headed downtown for a few more portraits. It was the perfect ending to a beautifully day!

Want more inspiration? Check out my wedding at The Rock Quarry Garden.

Ready for me to capture your intimate wedding? Reach out here: Contact.

When Bryce and I decided to get married, we didn’t want anything big or formal. We chose something simple, relaxed, and totally us. The Rock Quarry Garden in Greenville was the perfect place for our small, surprise ceremony on January 15, 2017. The weather was a warm and unexpected 76 degrees—pretty amazing for January!

I wore a red off-the-shoulder cocktail dress, a fun and different choice that felt just right. My bouquet was a gift from a friend, which made it even more special. We decided to keep things super low-key by surprising our family and friends the day before and asking everyone to wear black and white. No fuss, no stress—just show up and celebrate with us!

The Rock Quarry Garden turned out to be one of the best small wedding ceremony we could have chosen. The natural beauty of the waterfall, stone paths, and greenery made the perfect backdrop without needing any extra decorations. The setting was cozy and intimate, ideal for a small group, and we found so many great spots for photos.

Tips for Small Wedding Ceremonies

1. Keep it simple. The park’s natural beauty does all the work for you.
2. Have fun with the details. Our black-and-white dress code was easy and looked great.
3. Surprise your guests! We told our family last-minute, which made it even more exciting.
4. Wear what feels right. My red dress wasn’t traditional, but it was perfect for me.
5. Go for an off-season date. January turned out to be warm and sunny, which made the day even better.

In the end, our wedding was laid-back, personal, and everything we wanted—a perfect, no-stress day with the people we love most.

Photographed by: Markie Walden

Want to see more small wedding ceremonies check out Jessica & Paul’s Wedding at Pretty Place Chapel! Ready for me to capture your small ceremony? Head over here to inquire today!

Taylor and Collin’s wedding at Tin Roof Farms was full of details that I think every couple should consider adding to their wedding day.

Taylor was super intentional when planning the details of the day

Here are the details you’ll want to have ready on your wedding day for beautiful photos:

1. Flat lays: Include your invitation suite, rings, shoes, jewelry, and any special heirlooms.
2. Something borrowed: A sentimental item like a veil, jewelry, or family heirloom.
3. Sentimental touches: Personal mementos like handwritten notes or including people not in the wedding.

Check out how Taylor did this on her wedding!

1. Love Story

The first flat lay was a “Love Story” collection. It featured sentimental keepsakes from their dating days. The items included confetti from a Taylor Swift concert in Atlanta and a golf ball with a four-leaf clover. This was a nod to the day they met. It also had the birth certificate of their Build-A-Bear named “Lucky.” Taylor save and dried flowers Collin had given Taylor were also included. Taylor and Collin had a date night were the made cake plates for cutting the cake. Each piece held a memory, adding extra meaning to their wedding day.

For the wedding day flat lay, Taylor selected items that highlighted the day’s special details. This flat lay included custom stationery from Hudson Park Paper Co. It also featured a custom perfume Taylor made in Savannah after her bachelorette weekend. These small, thoughtful touches made everything feel so personal.

2. Something Borrowed

Taylor also embraced the “something borrowed” tradition with three meaningful items. She borrowed a blue sapphire ring that I received from my husband when we were dating. She also borrowed the veil Virginia, a bridesmaid, wore on her wedding day. Additionally, she wore pearls from Collin’s mom. These pieces connected her wedding day to the love stories that came before.

3. Sweet Touches

One of the sweetest touches was how Taylor included her nieces, Elle and Millie. She let them borrow necklaces that Uncle Collin had given her. Instead of traditional table numbers at the reception, each table was named after one of Taylor’s 1st-grade students. The students described love with phrases like “Love is caring for another” and “Love is holding hands.”

Taylor and Collin’s wedding shows how brides can get creative. Incorporating sentimental elements can make a wedding day truly reflect a unique love story.

Loved these details? You’ll also enjoy scrolling through Jessica & Paul’s Wedding at Pretty Place Chapel!

Looking for your wedding photographer? I’m here!

Devyn and Michael’s Hotel Hartness wedding was truly incredible! One of the standout features of their day was their choice of venue. Hotel Hartness perfectly complemented their vision for European flair. Devyn and Michael wanted their wedding to feel like a true escape, and this venue delivered just that!

Their love for blending Southern charm with European flair was reflected in their catering choices. Guests were treated to a unique fusion of upscale Southern dishes alongside Mediterranean dips and sides. The guests loved this combination of flavors. Their signature drinks added another personal touch. Devyn’s lavender lemonade was a refreshing and light choice. Michael chose an Old Fashioned for a sophisticated touch. It was details like these that made their wedding uniquely theirs!

As the evening continued, the celebration moved onto the best party in Hotel Hartness’s elegant ballroom. The atmosphere was filled with love, laughter, and joy. The party was a perfect reflection of Devyn and Michael’s relationship. Friends and family were eager to celebrate this beautiful couple!

It an absolute honor to be a part of this day! From the sweet first look to the fun bubble exit, everything was like a dream. I can’t wait to share more of their Hotel Hartness wedding with you on the blog.

Vendor Team

Venue: Hotel Hartness
Hair/Makeup: Cotton Rouge and Company
DJ: Chris Stevens (PSILoveVibin’)
Flowers: Rachel Deneroy
Dress: Carolina Couture
Planning: Hudson Park
Videographer: Jasmine Dockery

Loved this post? You’ve got to check out another. View Sahar & Morteza’s Wedding in Columbia, SC.
Ready to book me? Head over here to inquire today!

Fall is perfect for capturing cozy, colorful family moments. Choosing outfits, though, can feel overwhelming. Don’t worry—I’ve got you covered with relaxed, stylish color combos that will make your photos pop, right here with your Greenville Family Photographer!

1. Classic Autumn Colors:
   Think deep oranges, rich browns, and warm yellows. These colors echo fall foliage, bringing a traditional vibe. Pair a burnt orange sweater with brown boots for a classic autumn look. Add a mustard yellow scarf to a cozy plaid shirt for the quintessential fall style.
2. Jewel Tones:
   For a vibrant look, consider jewel tones like deep teal, sapphire blue, and maroon. These colors add elegance and drama while still feeling warm. Imagine your family in sapphire and ruby shades, contrasting beautifully against a fall backdrop.
3. Earth Tones:
   If you prefer a grounded look, earth tones are perfect. Soft browns, sage green, and muted burgundy blend seamlessly with the outdoors. Pair a cream sweater with olive green pants or a tan jacket with brown boots for a chic, simple option.
4. Muted Autumn Colors:
   For a softer palette, choose muted colors like dusty rose, gray-green, and soft gold accents. These colors offer a delicate, vintage vibe that’s charming and timeless. Think of a mauve dress with taupe boots or a sage cardigan with light denim.

Things to Avoid:

• Matching everyone in the same color; it can look too uniform.
• Neon or bright colors that clash with natural surroundings.
• Large logos or busy patterns that distract from the overall look.
• Wearing too many layers that may cause discomfort during the session.

Remember, the most important thing is that everyone feels comfortable and confident in what they’re wearing. Happy fall!

Families Clothing Inspiration

Ready to capture those special family moments? Reach out to me, your Greenville Family Photographer today and let’s plan a session you’ll treasure for years to come.

Katie and Seth’s Dreamy Lake Jocassee Engagement Session

Lake Jocassee was not the original plan Katie and Seth’s engagement session. They are getting married next year at Duncan Estate but they wanted to get their engagement photos done as soon as possible. I was so excited for our planed session at.. Jumping off Rock. Turns out we could not find the access road and decided to pivot to Lake Jocassee. This is your sign to always have a backup plan.

As a couple who describe themselves as introverted, it was heartwarming to see how they truly lit up when they were together. Their connection was evident in every glance and smile, making the session incredibly special.

We kicked things off on the serene beach of Lake Jocassee, where the calm waters and stunning backdrop set a perfect stage. The South Carolina summer weather, however, had other plans. We started the session with some overcast skies and finished in the pouring rain!

Despite the weather’s unpredictability and a little adventure involving getting lost, we managed to capture some beautiful shots. We ended the session on the dock, where the skies decided to open up. The last five minutes were a dramatic downpour, but Katie and Seth embraced it with such grace and joy. Their ability to find beauty in the rain was nothing short of magical.

After delivering the photos, Katie sent me a touching message: “I’m so grateful for you and your art. You took terrible weather and made it the most beautiful, dreamy day.” It’s moments like these that remind me why I love what I do. Katie and Seth’s engagement session at Lake Jocassee was a perfect example of how love can shine through even the most unexpected circumstances.

Want to see more lake session? Check out Pietro & Abby’s Proposal at Lake Hartwell.