Ava Kate Photo Blog

jordan + tyler

I love that I get to tell Jordan & Tyler’s wedding story. It’s particularly special to me, because I knew them in high school. And guess what…they were dating all the way back then! I think they have been together for NINE years! Incredible. They are still super mushy gushy and sweet with one another, I like that. They were married by moonlight at Little Gardens. Jordan got ready for the ceremony surrounded by her family and best friends…

Not only beautiful, but such a joyful and sweet bride.

A little wedding day planking.

And the sun sets for a romantic ceremony…

Nothing better than a teary eyed, thankful groom. I keep a picture of my own groom on my dresser. It’s a close up of the sincerity and love on his face when he told me his vows. (swoon)

The relationship Jordan has with her dad is so sweet. They danced to “I Loved Her First”…even if you don’t know the song, that line alone will tear you up! Chris and I (new parents) had to hide our own teary eyes behind our cameras.

Mini-Elvis showed up to bust some moves on the dance floor…

And of course… a cameo performance by Jordan, her dad and her sister to Don’t Stop Believin’

It was a beautiful wedding to wrap up our wedding season with. This will be the last wedding we take before our hiatus from weddings to spend more time with our beloved “nugget” aka Ina Jane (with an interlude of one of my best bud’s weddings coming up next year–holla Ali Cat!). Much love to you all! -ava

marybeth & adam: married

Marybeth and Adam were married at City Church downtown. It was a modern and fun location detailed with Marybeth’s favorite color, purple. A favorite of mine as well. Chris and I only shot 4 hours of their day, amazing what you can document in such a small window of time. They were super stoked to take pictures by the infamous Krog tunnel and all of its graffiti color. The juxtaposition of frilly white wedding and street art made for some interesting photos…

This is Adam’s sweet little girl. They wanted to make sure she felt like a princess too that day.

Lantern release Tangled style! This was the first time I have seen it done, super fun.

danielle & tom: married

Who wouldn’t want a destination wedding in Savannah, GA? With beautiful old south buildings and Gone With the Wind vibes. Having lived there for two years as a newly wed, I can say there is romance in that air. Danielle and Tom invited their guests to a romantic getaway weekend that starred their wedding.

Danielle’s mom helping with Danielle’s dress. She has the touch when it comes to ribbon tying.

Danielle’s twin sister was by her side helping her throughout the day. These two were so sweet with one another, they had me reflecting on the depth of bond twin siblings must share.

The girls are lucky. They have a super sweet dad…

Danielle’s pup! He was cracking me up with that sprawl.

This shot of the bridesmaids is one of my favorites of the day. I brought along some super cute parasols. How could one resist parasol pictures in an old south beach wedding?

Danielle and her sweet twin Magan

Oh Tom. I think he’s the kind of guy that can be a goof ball, but can also sit down and have a series talk with you.

Of course, my lovely husband tends to bring out the goof ball…

Love that expression…

There is little I like more than a beach portrait session.

Cheers to Tom an Danielle!

Cheryl + Andy

Cheryl and Andy, my my my. I can’t wait to see what God has in store for their lives! I mean, they were brought together from different sides of the world for starters. I can see them having lots of fun through the years and investing in lots of peoples lives.

Wedding prep started at a nearby hotel. Cheryl’s family was in from Singapore. English is the first language over there, only they speak it with really cool accents.

Cheryl’s mom was such a sweet help throughout the day.

Here is Andy getting ready. If you were talking to him, I bet he would tell you this was the best day of his life…he was all smiles and energy.

Heading to the ceremony!!!! Cheryl’s dad insisted on driving her to the ceremony. Just another step in giving his daughter away. It was very sweet.

Here comes a play-by-play of the first look. You can tell how giddy Andy was…

Cheryl and her sister debating what kind of silly face to make…I’m not sure if that’s pouty or kissy lips, lol.

A few of the guests arriving…

Dun dun du dun, ceremony begins!

Nothing wrong with a groom that gets emotional when he sees his bride walk down the isle. Probably the best gift he has ever gotten! That might be my favorite moment in a wedding…

It was a BEAUTIFUL service.

A few first dance details from the reception

LOVE these dancing shots!

Danielle & Tom

Danielle and Tom are so cute together. Danielle is tall, but she doesn’t look it standing next to Tom. He must be like 6′5″! We shot their engagements in Cabbagetown here in Atlanta. Tons of cute stuff there. I won’t spoil how they met and all that jazz, you can read it straight from them at the end of this post…

Awe! A little “save the date” action.

Aren’t they cute! Cabbagetown has the most colorful row of little shops…

I love all of the concrete greys and brick at the Stacks…

We stumbled upon a cute retro scooter…

And now for a few questions from the happy couple themselves….

1. How did you meet? Tom and I met in college at Kennesaw State University through mutual friends.

2. What is your favorite quality about your fiance?

Danielle: Tom is the most gentle, sincere loving man I have ever met. He loves me unconditionally. Tom: Danielle brings out the best in me. She makes me laugh and smile more than anybody.

3. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be? A private island in the Caribbean.

Danielle and Tom, so excited for you! Can’t wait for your lovely wedding ):):) Much love to you both!

Kristina & Colby

I love these two!!! Kristina shares my affection for all things wedding-beautiful. She has a budding wedding cake business herself. I had the privilege of photographing Kristina’s family a few years ago, and I remember her saying that when she and her beloved Colby got engaged, she was going to look me up. I love that. She knew even then that this day would come. What a gorgeous and love filled day it was! Kristina is the oldest of five siblings, and Colby is a TWIN! How fun. When we showed up on the wedding day, Chris and I thought Colby’s twin was Colby. He patiently explained that he was Colby’s twin brother. I couldn’t help but thinking “how many times has he had to explain that!” From the cake to the fruity fro-yo to the (ahem) stunning photography, everything at the Lee wedding was done to the nines.

Love all of the color in these bouquets. The question these days seems to be: to use color or not to use color. I am torn between wedding palettes that include creams and whites and maybe hints of soft green and going all out with gorgeous bright colors!

Kristina was so cute and giddy when she was getting ready. I love that I get to share that time with so my brides.

Colby and his twin bro Corey were so stinking cute getting ready! I guess it’s like looking in a mirror when you have a twin. They helped each other every step of the way.

The many faces of Kristina…

Kristina requested that they steal this moment before the ceremony. Just a teaser.

Nothing like a teary-eyed bride.

Love this moment…

Kristina got the giggles during the ceremony. She had me going too!

Husband and wife!

This picture (above) is so romantic! I want to frame it in my house…

Note to brides: If you ask me if I want to take some photos in an over grown field, I will say YES.

Dawe! Aren’t they just made for each other?!

A few sample family pics…

First Dance.

Kristina’s Daddy did an excellent job on the twirl, I must say.

Not just a super cute cate, but fro-yo too!!!!!

Thank you Kristina and Colby, I can only imagine what is in store for you two love birds!

Patricia & David

Patricia and David!! What a beautiful couple. Something that David said during his toast really stuck with me: they are companions. They love to travel together, and he is looking forward to having his buddy with him for all of the advanetures their life will bring. Patricia is from Columbia and incorporated lots of her native flair in their wedding day. They even had a friend perform a flamenco dance at the reception! One a side note…this wedding is a great example of the three hour package. We love this short and sweet package, because you still get fabulous couple portraits, all of the ceremony, family portraits and about an hour of the reception!

Patricia walking to their “first look”!

Here it is…the big moment when they saw each other for the first time on their wedding day!

The Mariachi band was AMAZING.

A few sweet moments from the first dance:

Below is a picture we snapped with Patricia’s dad. He was so happy!

Check out that cake topper!

A few moments from the toasts and flamenco dance…I don’t think I’ve ever been moved by a dance before. But I had tears in my eyes watching Patricia’s friend dance. I had seen her with her baby girl earlier, and I kept thinking about the power of a woman’s spirit. She walked up with grace and performed a strange dance in front of lots of people who don’t really understand it, and it was beautiful.

Patricia and David: I wish you the absolute best!!!! Much love to you both!!

Jordan & Tyler: engaged

These two have been dating since sophomore year in high-school, and now Jordan is about to graduate from Pharmacy school!!! Talk about sticking it out! I asked if they have had any bumps in the road, and they said, “well yeah”! Those years together have produced an understanding and compatibility that I rarely sense in a new couple.

Stay tuned for their engagement interview at the end of this post……

love Jordan’s dress!

If you two get bored, you can always go on the road as a country singing duo. You’ve got the album cover;)

ENGAGEMENT INTERVIEW TIME!

1. How did you meet?!

Jordan: Tyler and I met in high school. We had lunch together and every day he would come over and offer his french fries! haha Little did I know that meant he liked me. It wasn’t until I was walking down the hall with one of my really good guy friends, he had his arm around me and one other girl, and Tyler came up put his arm around me and said, “I’ll take this one of you hands.” September 30, 2002 he asked me out and the rest is history!

Tyler: I don’t know if she knows this but Jordan caught my attention the first time I saw her in 9th grade at Chapel Hill. However, we didn’t officially start getting to know each other until our sophmore year. We started sitting at the same table for lunch and I shared my french fries with her. I actually walked up behind her in the hall one day and put my arm around her…..the rest is history.

2. What is your favorite quality about your fiance?

Jordan:My favorite quality about Tyler is his ability to make people feel special. He never meets a stranger and I love watching him interact with our families. He has a way of making every person feel important from my grandparents to his eight year old nephew. His dedication to everything he does in life also continues to amaze me!

Tyler: My favorite quality about Jordan is her genuine heart. I have noticed over the years that she is there for all of her friends, wants to help everyone she can and always tears up during the national anthem. She is the most caring person I know and I know that she will always be there for me.

3. If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be?

Jordan: If we could live anywhere in the world I think we would go to Florida. Tyler loves the beach and I have always wanted to open up a little soda shop pharmacy

Tyler: With her.

4. Pets or kids or both?

Jordan: Both! I want 3 and a dog for sure. Might change my mind after two!

Tyler: Is this a trick question? Both eventually, however I definately want to enjoy the married life for a while before adding the responsibility of our beautiful children or puppies.

5. Is there a song that makes you think of your fiance? What is it? (Their answers crack me up here)

Jordan: Better Together- Jack Johnson There is not one thing in my life that would be as good without him! He brings out the best in me and goes along with all the crazy dreams I have for our lives!

Tyler: Love love love. I wish I could say who the artist is but I’m really not sure. I wish you were here by Incubus also reminds me of her, it is our “official song.”

You two are awesome. Can’t wait for the wedding!!!!

Melissa & Merritt

Merritt and Melissa, two dear friends of mine. Let me just start with my very favorite moment from their wedding day: their vows. Man, that was a serious tear-jerker. It is a hard feat to write your own vows. When I got married, I remember thinking, “that’s too much pressure, what if I leave something out! What if I don’t even know the important stuff TO vow…”. But M & M took the challenge, and wrote such beautiful vows. Melissa wrote in their engagement shoot that her favorite quality about Merritt is his genuine-ness, well, I’ve never seen that so much as in his vows. Every word he spoke came from his heart, and no one in that room could doubt it. These two meant every word they said, and I can only imagine what God has in store for them!! The rest of the journey (post wedding) is really the exciting part.

Melissa wore the earrings her father gave her mother on their wedding day.

The lovely Brittany Huff (hair extraordinaire if you need wedding day hair!) did everyone’s dos, I particularly liked the teasing part of the process:)

Mel’s sister Jessica did her make-up

a little morning coffee with your make-up?

Meliss has the cutest Momma! Here she is helping adjust Mel’s dress.

FIRST LOOK, READY SET GO!!!!!

…The play by play in sequential order:)

Merritt goes in for the KISS……

hehehe

ANTHROPOLOGIE bridesmaids dresses!!!!!!!!!!!! yes please.

silly girls!

Meliss brought back the chaulk board theme for the wedding party pics

take a look at this star :

Mel’s girls praying for her right before the ceremony…

I love this moment: when the bride and groom meet eyes walking down the isle.

In case you’re wondering…UGA BOTANICAL GARDENS DAY CHAPEL (in Athens). gorgeous.

Okay, the above image is the second time during the wedding day when I “lost it”. I don’t think they even knew I was there. This was their embrace right after they walked out of the chapel as husband and wife.

And here is their super cute sign-in book, I threw in the wallet sized engagement pics as favors for the guests:)

And now for a few cute families in attendance:

FIRST DANCE, HEY HEY! :

GORGEOUS DETAILS.

THE CAKE SEQUENCE……….

Let it go on the record, Melissa loves to DANCE.

Look at these little dance-o-holics! We couldn’t get enough of them:)

Check out their get away throws: BIG BRIGHT FLOWERS, love it.

TO THE EAGLINGS: LOVE YOU BOTH! MAY GOD BLESS YOUR MARRIAGE!

Maddy & Stephen

MADDY AND STEPHEN! These two are dear friends of mine. I took about an hour on their wedding day and shot their family and couple portraits. I remember when they were just dating. We were in a small group together. It is awesome to see them get married! Here are some of my favorite things about Maddy & Stephen: Maddy has a semi-co-dependent relationship with an overweight cat named Archy. I chuckle every time I think of him. We need to have an Archy + Maddy photo session. And Stephen has a killer job at Doguroo (a high class doggy daycare). Now Maddy works there too! As it turns out, they are both animal loving, extremely sweet goobers. I don’t think they’ll mind if I include some of my favorites from our session–the OUT-TAKES.