This was the first wedding I've ever photographed in the snow- and I couldn't have been more excited about it. Georgia weddings don't tend to include snow, so when it comes down I think everyone gets a little giddy. Kellie and Michael might be two of the kindest people I've met. They chose to do a first look and see each other before the ceremony, and I think the moments they saw each other for the first time and prayed together spoke more than any words could. They stood there in the 30 degree weather looking at each other with such visible love and adoration for each other. I could just tell they are really best friends. I know obviously marriage is more than friendship, but it certainly isn't less than that and yet so many people hardly seem to be able to say that about their spouse. Michael and Kellie lovingly looked at each other all through the da, and laughed together a lot. My kind of a couple:)

The wedding ceremony and reception took place at Brasstown Valley Resort in Young Harris, Georgia. The snow caused a change in plans as to where the ceremony and reception would take place but it turned out more than amazing. The ceremony was outdoors with fire places surrounding the pavilion overlooking the North Georgia mountains, and the reception was moved indoors to a beautiful lodge space. Big props to the great people at Brasstown Valley for making the changes goes so smoothly (and for being really kind to everyone!)

I know this is such a random picture to include but I wanted to say a big thank you to all the family who waited for pictures to be finished outside in the freezing temperatures... what a great family! They all did the "Oh my gosh this is crazy cold" dance so I had to document it. You just never know what you are going to get with Georgia weather!

My favorite shots are typically of grandparents, so this one of course made my day... I hope to dance A LOT the older I get. I think it's good for the body and soul! And of course I love Neal's thumbs up!

Thanks so much Kellie + Michael for a beautiful day and having such a great and positive attitude in the midst of changing plans and cold temperatures- you guys really are a special couple:) and thanks to your families for being so great to work with!!

The last time I was in Cleveland, Georgia was on a trip to Babyland General, aka the birthplace of the Cabbage Patch doll, when I was eight years old. Not too many people know that up in the North Georgia mountains Cabbage Patch dolls are born from cabbage and sold all over the world. So when Brooke and I met to talk about her wedding it was exciting to hear that Cleveland not only is awesome because of my favorite childhood doll but also because of Kellum Valley Farm. This wedding venue is amazing... a huge house on a hill with a view of the mountains surrounded by rustic barns, farmhouses, and every kind of farm antique you could imagine. Ryan and Brooke began dating at North Georgia College so it's fitting that their wedding was in a mountain setting. Brooke did a great job adding personal details to the wedding and giving really special gifts to the bridal party and her family- she made every bridesmaid a hanger with their names on it (meaning she actually figured out how to twist wire to spell out each girl's name and then fix it into the wooden hanger- insert craft admiration here). I'll have to post a picture of one of them. If you are a Pinterest lover like me, you will definitely recognize some of these details from wedding inspiration boards! Brooke and Ryan are an incredibly sincere and loving couple not only with each other but also with family and friends. I love being a part of weddings to see not only the love between 2 people but among all the people who come to the wedding to support them. Ryan was really thoughtful in wanting people to feel included whether in pictures or having fun at the reception, and Brooke had thought through every aspect of how to make sure her mom and dad knew how much she loved and appreciated them. I love that. I can't get enough of kind people. Earlier that day it had rained, no, POURED at the farm and Brooke told me she had rain boots ready and that they would just go with it. I love that, too (not the rain part but her attitude). It didn't rain and even after the ceremony when we thought the sky was going to open up, it didn't and we got all the pictures in. (Just a side note about outdoor weddings: I have never seen rain totally ruin a wedding day. ever.) So much thanks to Ryan and Brooke for asking me to be a part of their day and for having such a beautiful wedding ceremony and fun reception- I had a blast and learned some Wobble dance moves... you guys are great. And if you haven't seen the stop motion video I made, check it out here here is one of the hangers that Brooke made (this one was for her sister, Kaydee)... that's craft magic right there. this is an awesome "something old, something borrowed, something blue" - It is Brooke's mother's garter worn at her wedding with her grandparents wedding bands sewn on to it. Brooke lost her grandmother just months before the wedding date so it was especially meaningful to have this on her. apparently Ryan had some videographer duties on his wedding day, too:) man of many talents

welcome

INSTA-Jammin'