We started planning this styled shoot 2 months in advance. We wanted everything to be just so perfect. At first we struggled in figuring out the how’s, what’s and where’s. Then we stumbled upon Kendal Perry – A Wedding Planning Studio. She is amazing!! With her help and the help of Hothouse Design Studio, Cocoon Silk and several other wonderful vendors (see full list below), we put together our first styled shoot and it was such a wonderful experience! The week leading up to the shoot we broke one of the cardinal rules of photography, don’t watch the weather every day, every hour, leading up to the date, especially in Alabama and in the spring! It was nothing short of an emotional roller coaster, and not the good kind like at Six Flags! The rain chances leading up to our Sunday changed every hour, 80% to 40% then back up to 60%….you get the idea. But we forged on and we are so glad that we did!
Sunday rolled around, the rain chances were low, and we met Kendal at the Federal Courthouse in downtown Birmingham an hour before the models were scheduled. The weather was good, humid, but good. We were able to get some amazing detail shots with all the goodies that Kendal provided (she had a bag/car full of goodies) and some that we had brought. We were off to a great start!
The models, Jade and Parker arrived and let me tell you, the magic took over! They are stunningly beautiful, were so easy to work with and they both radiated southern charm like the sun rising on a Sunday morning through the willow trees. The day flowed effortlessly and the images we were able to get were perfect.
When we finished up in downtown, we all drove over to the Birmingham Botanical Gardens where even more magic happened! The lighting was perfect (for a while anyway), the roses were blooming and Jade being in the perfect wedding dress while Parker was looking dapper in his tux. We were all on fire and I don’t mean from the temperature. The bouquet’s colors with the silk ribbon dripping down and flowing in the wind was every photographer’s dream come true. We were rolling along without a hitch and heading to get our last shot when the wind picked up and the tiny drops of rain started to fall. We were able to get that one last desired shot and then made a mad dash for cover as the bottom fell out and it began to pour. But, we did it! We didn’t just make it through our first styled shoot, we rocked it!! We ended up with some INCREDIBLE images and just couldn’t be happier with the results. All with the help of some wonderful vendors and amazing people!
Enjoy the amazing images (if we don’t say so ourselves. Cue pat on the back) and as you scroll through, be sure to check out all the Birmingham vendors that helped to make this a reality for us!
The Team
Photographer: Katie and Cindy; Planner: Kendal Perry; Bride’s Dress: Essence of Australia – Bellas Bridal; Earrings: David Tutera; Invitations: Haley Jackson Designs; Stamps: Vintage Postage Shop; Models: Jade Carroll and Parker Bearden; Hair and Makeup: Laney Binion – Beauty by LB; Grooms Suit: Mr. Burch in Inverness; Ribbon: Cocoon Silk; Location: Birmingham Botanical Gardens and Downtown Birmingham; Bouquet and Boutineer: Hothouse Design Studio; Ring Box: The Mrs. Box; Rings: Diamonds Direct