Mary Katherine and Michael were married in the blooming rose garden of her grandmother’s estate in Huntsville, Alabama. Friends, it doesn’t get more beautiful (and sentimental) than this.
Would you believe me if I told you that all the interior doors of the home are made of trees from the backyard? That’s just a taste of how much intentionality and care Mary Katherine’s grandmother put into crafting this incredible home. Antiques, family heirlooms and gorgeous paintings adorned each and every surface, and it was this photographer’s dream to capture it all so meaningfully for Mary Katherine.
Mary Katherine got ready for the day surrounded by her best girls! Her gown was an absolute showstopper, and she’s definitely in the running for longest train. If you were on “train duty,” let’s just say you had your hands full, quite literally.
In hindsight, the most special moment of the day was Mary Katherine’s first look with her father. A few days after the wedding, he unexpectedly passed away, and these are the very last photos taken of him. I’m so thankful we took a bit of extra time to prioritize their first look together, and now the Breland family has a beautiful memory to look back on. The events following the wedding day have reminded me that people are always the priority, no matter what.
Michael and Mary Katherine’s first look was full of gushing compliments to one another. These two are in love, and it shows! Mary Katherine gifted Michael an Italian watch, and he gifted her a pair of custom Golden Goose Shoes, complete with paintings of her grandmother’s home on the sides. They were such a sweet way to memorialize that detail of their wedding day.
As you can likely guess, there was no shortage of beautiful locations for the portraits that followed. I absolutely loved wandering around the grounds, inside and out, and finding all the best spots to spread out that gorgeous train!
And Michael quickly found himself on “train duty.” 😂
Before the ceremony began, we met up with the wedding party and family for some group photos. The flower girls and ring bearers were just too cute to handle!
The ceremony was perfect in every way. Mary Katherine’s father waited for her at the top of the aisle, and they walked down together, bringing tears to everyone’s eyes. Their joy was palpable, and their smile’s couldn’t have been wider as they kissed and walked into their new life together!
We walked straight out of the ceremony into the most peaceful, serene sunset photos. They were soaking up that “newly married” feeling, laughing and spinning each other around all over the place. Their joy was so beautiful to witness!
Mary Katherine and Michael listened to a saxophonist welcome guests with jazz music as they returned to their reception and danced the night away. They cut their delicious cake, celebrated with friends (including learning of a friend’s pregnancy announcement!), and Mary Katherine ended the night by changing into her mother’s wedding dress! They exited up the driveway she’d played on all throughout her childhood, a fitting end to a joyously sentimental wedding day.
I’m so thankful that Mary Katherine and Michael allowed me the honour of capturing their beautiful wedding! Theirs was a day I won’t soon forget, and I’m grateful to have been a part of it.
Photographer: @eleanorstenner
Videographer: @firstlook_films
Florist: Mary Katherine’s Grandmother
Cake: @publix
Entertainment: @thebeasleybrothers
Dress Designer: @moniquelhuillierbride
Catering: @chipotle
Paper Goods: @thetopiarytree
Groom’s Ring: @bvlgari
Bride’s Ring: @xivkarats
Bride’s Shoes: @manoloblahnik
