Walnut Hill Farm Wedding - Courtney + Niles

Courtney + Niles

 "On a beautiful June day in 2014, the Durham Bulls were playing baseball and Duke provided tickets to the therapy department. I attended with friends, but after a while their numbers dwindled and my ride was about to leave. It was then that my date finally showed up, so I stayed to finish out the game. More friends left and soon I found myself sitting in an empty row with only my date beside me. The charming young man sitting behind me looked vaguely familiar and I wished to meet him properly. I suggested my date and I move up a row and just like that, Niles and I met. There were fireworks. No, really, at the end of every baseball game there are fireworks. But also the figurative ones. Niles asked for my number, while I was sitting next to my date (!), so I knew he was confident. When we later played shuffleboard, Niles smoothly made sure he and I were on the same side of the table. He asked my permission to ask me on a date, but I was the one to text him the next day. Our first official date was two days after we met and I knew right away that this one was different.

The relationship blossomed over the year, even though we lived 80 miles apart. We saw each other every single weekend that year. On one particular weekend in Marietta, GA, Niles suggested we walk his dog, Maddie, before the 5 hour drive home. Along this walk, Niles suggested we go stand on a dock, but the dock was filled with balloons and rose pedals in the shape of a heart. "We can't go on that dock! We'll ruin someone else's proposal!" I exclaimed. Niles pulled me closer and led me into the middle of the flowers. He got down on one knee and asked that simple question. I looked around to take in the scene - it was then that I spotted the hidden photographer, just like I had hoped there would be. This was not someone else's proposal site- it was mine."

Location: Walnut Hill Farm - Dalton, Georgia

Hair: Megan Crawford

Makeup: Chelsea Rancudo

DJ: Bunn DJ Company

Assistant Photographers: Candice Emerson & Aimee Carter

Hiding Courtney when Niles drove by;)

We had to sneak out in the middle of the reception to do a few sunset shots;)

What was your first dance song?

"Die a Happy Man" By Thomas Rhett

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

"We first saw each other when I walked down the aisle. I had a long walk from behind the building to the altar, but I kept my eyes on him the whole time, he was the only person that mattered in that moment. We were both holding back tears and smiling with our whole hearts. It was better than I had ever imagined."

What was the most memorable moment of the day?

"Niles and I both agree it was the first dance. It felt so humbling to have everyone witness this beautiful moment. I didn't look at the people around us, only at him, but I could feel their presence and their love. We swayed along to the tune, we mouthed the words, we embraced and kissed and laughed that the song felt longer than it ever had. I joked, "Well then, where are your dance moves?" And he whisked me into a dance step and twirled me and dipped me for a finale kiss. I couldn't stop smiling."

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

"There were pieces of the day that possibly could have been organized better with more preparation and conversation, but nothing that we could have truly anticipated. It was beautiful and we would do it all again in an instant."

Do you have any advice to other brides & grooms?

"Any time something came up that seemed stressful or overwhelming, the best technique we used to combat that was to remember that at the end of the day we were still going to be married, and that's all that mattered. Enjoy the process and enjoy the day because you're getting MARRIED!" 

Where did you go on your honeymoon?

Asheville, NC for a mini-moon

Dublin Georgia Wedding Photographer - Jessica + Matt

Jessica + Matt

"Matt and I both grew up in Dublin and went to the same high school (Trinity Christian School). We didn't start dating until I was 16 and Matt had already started college. He Facebook messaged me and later we exchanged numbers.  Our first date was to Zaxby's (just a few days after I had my wisdom teeth out, so my whole face was swollen up like a chipmunk!). We continued to date while Matt attended Georgia Southern and later when I attended nursing school at the Medical College of Georgia. After we both completed college and moved back to Dublin permanently, we began talking about marriage. Matt showed me a beautiful solitaire diamond necklace that was his grandmother's and told me it would be mine one day if I wanted it.

Finally, after over 7 years of dating, on October 3rd, 2015, Matt proposed to me! I had worked the night before and normally if I don't have to go back to work that night I only sleep for a couple of hours that morning so I can enjoy the rest of the day. Well, that particular day I slept on into the afternoon and when I woke up I was fit to be tied because I felt like I had wasted my day. I went over to Matt's and sat down on the couch and when I did, he asked me "Did you not see it?" And I asked, "See what?" He said, "Your surprise!" I got back up, looked on the sofa table, and there was a ring box. Matt said, "So are we getting married?" Of course, I said YES! :) He turned a normal day when I was down in the dumps into a very special day that I will remember for the rest of my life!"

Location: Dublin, Georgia

Hahah! CHEEEESE!

Haha! I love how unpredictable dogs are! He just wanted to roll around in the grass haha!!!

Jessica & Matt, thank you so much for trusting me with capturing one of the most important times in your life! It's such an honor and I can't wait until the wedding!!! - Ashah