I love fall Weddings. Especially when the weather is perfect and there is some kind of water involved. This was the case with Courtney and Jeff’s wedding. Courtney’s Aunt Leighann met Jeff at his brother’s wedding a little over a year ago and that night called her sister Tammy ( bride’s mother) and announced that she had just met Courtney’s future husband. ( I am unable to write the response from both of the bride’s parents at the report of this as it is a family blog. ) They were introduced shortly after and the rest is history. Her and Jeff have the kind of love that makes everyone a little jealous. They are 10 years apart which made daddy Tony hold on a little tighter, ( actually, a LOT ) but when he really got to know Jeff, the only thing that held him back was the ache in his own heart. Courtney is the eldest of 3 girls and the first to go. I think everyone heard the sound of the break as he walked her down the aisle.
Sniff sniff.
So here are a few of the highlights and details that made it so special.
The girls all got ready at a new salon called Studio Red in McDonough. The Groom’s cousin, Rachel, is a stylist and co-owner and also the mother of the handsome ring bearer. The salon has 2 hand painted murals that I just love.
We took some great shots of the bridesmaids while they were getting ready. It was actually really easy since they are all beautiful in their own right. The top two are sister’s of the bride, Chandler and Kristen. ( here is where you let out a big ’sigh’ for dad) Bottom left is cousin Peyton and below right is beautiful Rachael, who had 7 stiches removed from her chin the same morning. That girl can dance!
The ceremony took place at the Groom’s parents, David and Dawn Wilkerson. They put in months and months of hard work to spruce up their already beautiful property. David and his 2 sons built this great “guys shack” years ago and it make a perfect bridal suite for a country wedding.
This shot was taken a second after her dad opened the door to check on his darling. He didn’t last long before he had to excuse himself and go and re-compose. We love you Tony!
Darling Rachael Bennett.
Courtney is great in front of the camera.
The soon-to-be-married Jeff Wilkerson.
This is David, Jeff’s twin brother I mean dad. Giving a loving papa pinch.
Little kids always add a certain amount of entertainment at weddings. Especially when they are in the wedding party. Tyler was no exception. He stole the show as he walked down the aisle with the flower girl and made a right turn as soon as he saw his dad. Forced to go onward, he cried and covered his face with the ring pillow. Awwwwww…so cute!
Jeff has a Scottich heritage that he is very proud of. He is also a devoted follower of Jesus. This ring is perfect for him. She likes hers too. I should also add that Courtney made the ring pillow herself. Love it.
The view from the alter.
The processional music was awesome. {vocalist extrordinaire Lori is missing in this shot but she’s in the slideshow.}
Sweet ring bearer being comforted by uncle Jared. (I heard that sound you just made, its the same one the lady on the bottom left is making.)
One of the hardest things a dad will ever do.
Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Wilkerson
I love the colors. Yellow, green and orange. Sweet tea and lemonade were served in mason jars along with some aweome southern cooking.
That’s homemade ice cream and peach cobbler too! Leigh and Ray Jackson did an awesome job cooking all the food.
If there was anyone who hadn’t shed a few tears up to this point, they were done for sure. As a surprise to her husband, and as a deeply meaningful act of service to him, Courtney knelt down on the saw-dust spattered dance floor and washed his feet while the band sang. There wasn’t a dry eye in the land.
Get him, Courtney!
Ok. this was the most serious boquet grab I have ever seen. I thought security was going to have to be called. LOL. There’s a great sequence in the slideshow and it looks as if a punch could have been thrown. The truth to the story is this. The two in green are the bride’s sisters and the girl in black is like a surrogate sister. (sort of) She is also a single mother and she was dead serious about catching that bouquet. What isn’t visible is the broken finger that Kristen (top left) suffered the night before as she took off her brace for the wedding. Well, her finger got confused as a flower in the bouquet and the fight for who gets married next was really a painful fight to recover her own finger with as little pain as possible. ( You have to watch the slideshow to see who wins.)
Here we have the responsible party, Aunt Leighann on the right, and her sister Tammy. MOB They are also 2 of my closest crazy friends.
As with most of the other slides, this one has a story too. Sparklers were passed around before the exit and the bright light happens to be an entire box that was accidently lit. Made a great shot though. OOps
It was such a joy to photograph your wedding, Courtney and Jeff. I love you both and I wish you all the best!!
{{{{{HERE’S YOUR SLIDESHOW!}}}}}
HINT. hit your F11 key to view full screen
18 Comments
Oh Shawna! Courtney is going to cry! These are wonderful! Such a fun wedding!
And don’t yell at me, I’m getting in bed now…I promise!
Love you!
Shawna, One down and five more to go! That is girls to get married in the Brown/Miller Fam. These are beautiful as always….and you are fabulous! Thank you
Okay, I had no doubt that you’d blow us away with the pictures, but even still, you managed to shock and awe me. You truly captured the essence of the day and told the whole story (mostly good, some not so good ha ha!) Thank you so much for blessing us with your amazing art and talent. I love you
T
p.s. You should submit that one of Rachel behind the screen for contests!
Thank you so much Shawna. You made our old place look pretty good. I knew you would do a great job and I can’t wait to see more! Thanx so much!
Looks like a great time and just beautiful photos. This is a wonderful venue and your photos are spectacular…
Mike
Shawna, these are absolutely beautiful (wiping tears)! You did a fantastic job capturing the true essence of Courtney and Jeff’s special day! Thank you for these beautiful images of our most precious memories.
We are sitting in the lobby of our hotel amazed. These pictures are stunning! We are so glad we had you as our photographer! You are so wonderful Shawna! WE LOVE YOU!!!!
Oh, I am crying! Courtney was so beautiful, and the wedding looked amazing! What an awesome thing to start the marriage off with washing his feet! Great job as always!
WOW! That is the best word to describe. I was not there but these pictures make me feel like I didn’t miss a thing! What an amazingly beautiful wedding! Courtney and Jeff were certainly blessed to have you capture their perfect day.
Shawna…….FABULOUS AS ALWAYS!!!! Courtney, Jeff, and the whole party looked phenomenal! What a beautiful wedding and couple!
These pictures are wonderful. They truly capture the love! You are all that Courtney said you are…amazing!
GORGEOUS……..I LOVE YOUR STLYE OF PICTURES………WE HAVE A MUTUAL FRIEND AND I WAS CKING OUT HER PICTURES…..IF MY 2 REMAINING DAUGHTERS GET MARRIED -
I’M CALLING YOU………………
I LOVE COURTNEY AND JEFF’S SITE - IF THEY RENEW THEIR VOWS - I WANT TO BE
ON THEIR LIST………..YOU HAVE MADE OUR 2 DAYS MOST JOYFUL - THANK YOU FOR
SUCH SIMPLE PLEASURES OF VIEWING………YOU ARE GIFTED………
NANCY TENNANT IN RANCHO CUCAMONGA CA
WOW!!!!!!!! You are awesome!!!
Great job, as always, Shawna! Very big congrats! to the couple. They look perfect for each other!
these are so stunning! You are amazing! I’m sad our wedding is over now b/c I want you to take more pictures!!!!haha!
YOU freaking rock.
The wedding was amazing, and you made it even better with your awesome photography.
I love you.
OOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHHHHH,SHAWNA THAT WAS BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!!!!!BLOW US AWAY WITH MORE PICTURES,MORE,AND MORE!MAYBE YOU CAN DUE MY WEDDING PICTURES?HOPE SO?YOUR DEAR FRIEND MADISON(LEIGHS DAUGHER)AGE8
Well it’s been almost 6 months now and I still cry looking at these pictures. I love you and hope you are doing wonderful!!!