The Grand Magnolia House - Georgia Weddings

The Grand Magnolia House

A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to photograph a styled type shoot for an awesome new venue in Marshallville, Georgia. It's about 10 minutes from the Georgia National Fairgrounds if that helps;) We wanted to do a shoot that shows the different areas of the house.

I'm really excited about this venue because it's gorgeous inside and out, the owners are super great and it's got this true southern charm to it that I just love.

The Grand Magnolia House - Website

The Grand Magnolia House - Facebook

Makeup by: Whitney Hedrick Makeup Arist

Off to the side of the yard they have some really cool bamboo. I love it!

This swing is located in the back of the house. How awesome is that?!

One thing I love about photographing venues is capturing how different it looks at different times of day. I'm posting three so you can see how it changes.

Hay House Wedding - Lauren & Kody

Lauren + Kody

Location: Hay House in Macon, Georgia

Hair: John Kilgore - Another World Hair Salon - Milledgeville

Makeup: Jacqueline Price - Another World Hair Salon - Milledgeville

Flowers: Lynn Teate - Flower by Lynn - Macon

Catering:  Teddi Wohford - Culinary Creations - Macon

Cake: Eveon Petty - Gordonsville, TN

Wedding Planner: Julie Dominy CinderSound Productions - Macon

DJ: Justin Seymour - Nightlife Entertainment - Milledgeville

Dress: Casablanca - Elegant Bridals - Augusta

Second Photographer - Dabe Shores

What was your first dance song?

All of Me- John Legend

What was your father/daughter song?

Walk with You- Edwin McCain

What was your mother/son song?

I'll Be- Reba McIntyre

How did you feel when you saw each other for the first time on the wedding day?

It was a very emotional experience and I couldn't help but cry. I wasn't nervous or afraid, but the feeling that I would be with Kody forever was surreal and overwhelming. We spent so much time living in different cities while we were dating and engaged that it almost felt unreal to know that we would never have to be apart again. We felt blessed to be able to get married (twice) in front of our families and also excited that our baby girl got to be a part of our special day.

What was the most memorable moment of the day?

The most memorable moment had to be when my brother, Michael caught the garter. You have to understand that my brother Michael, who is 27, has never really dated anyone...that we know of. Every year, everyone jokes that he will be the one to run off and elope with some girl we've never met. It was hilarious for Michael to be the one to catch the garter because he would probably be the least likely to actually get married!

If you could do it all over again, would you change anything? 

I would have held off on the whole pregnancy thing! And we wouldn't have spent so much time trying to talk to every single guest. We feel like we kind of missed out on the fun parts of our reception!

Do you have any advice to other brides & grooms?

 Relax, don't sweat the small stuff and don't invite anyone you haven't talked to in the last 6 months because you won't even remember they were there.

Where did you go on your honeymoon?

Home :)

Middle Georgia Photographer - Sarah & Chad Sullivan

Sarah + Chad

Venue: Beaux Eden Plantation 

Not only were Sarah & Chad getting married, they were joining families!

This family is so fun and goofy! I love it!!!

These two keep each other laughing (and me the entire time haha!)!

We went back to the same spot they got engaged!

Shout out to Chad for making that awesome boutonniere!

The pastor introduced the whole "Sullivan Family"! It was such a sweet moment!

Y'all were so much fun! Thank you for letting me photograph your amazing day! Congrats y'all!

10 Years of Weddings

10 Years of Weddings

There have been so many emotions going through my head the last couple of days. I may or may not feel like crying as I type this. Today marks 10 years since I attended/photographed a wedding with my old boss Joe DeGrandis & his assistant Shelly Watson. That is a really big deal to me. I feel so overwhelmed with gratitude. Gratitude to the Lord for allowing this, gratitude to the people who have believed in me even when I didn't believe in myself. Here is a little bit of my journey through the years...

I was a weirdo 19 year old girl working at the photo lab at Wal-Mart with a dream of becoming a wedding photographer. I had decided that was what I wanted to do when I was 16 years old.

I ended up meeting Joe DeGrandis (Milledgeville’s finest photographer) when he was picking up photos at Wal-Mart. He asked me to go to a wedding with him and his assistant Shelly. He said he wouldn’t pay me for the first wedding just so he could see what I could do. I had NO clue what I was doing so I just watched them, asked questions and attempted to take some photos with my Nikon D70 & pop up flash. After the wedding Joe used one of my images on his blog. That really encouraged me & I've been hooked ever since. Haha! Joe continued to train me and then hired Shelly & I out together to photograph weddings on our own. We got a LOT of experience though that. It was pretty hilarious because brides & grooms would freak out a little bit when we showed up at weddings because we looked even younger than we were.

Left - Me and Joe in 2007 & Right - 2014 - Yep! We still hang out. He's the best!

I actually saved the program from that first wedding.

A little over a year later (March 25, 2006) I photographed my first wedding on my own for a friend. I wasn't actually supposed to but the person that was helping me got sick at the last minute. I freaked out and told Elizabeth(the bride). She actually gave me a pep talk & said she knew I could do it. I was terrified but it all worked out. Thanks for that Elizabeth!!!

About a year later (2007) I started my own business, Ashah Photography. I went full time in 2010 and have enjoyed it so much. I've had the opportunity to photograph weddings all over the United States & meet tons of awesome couples.

I am so grateful. First and foremost I thank my Savior. Without His grace & mercy, none of this would have happened. I've had so much fun. I also want to thank all of you who have believed, encouraged & taught me over the years.

Thanks for reading a little bit of my story.

To God be the glory,

Ashah