There is something incredibly special about capturing a wedding for family, and Katie and Lucas’ big day was no exception. While I never expect my family to feel obligated to book me, it is always such an honor when they do. It shows that they value my work as a creative and want to support my small business, which means the world to me. Katie and Lucas’ wedding was filled with love, joy, and a few unexpected moments that made the day even more memorable.

Getting Ready / Details

Katie and her bridesmaids got ready at Fresh on Main in downtown Hartselle, a charming space that made for some beautiful, relaxed pre-wedding moments. While I was there capturing the excitement, I took the opportunity to hop over to the reception venue just a couple of doors down. Knowing we wouldn’t have much time for detail shots after the ceremony, I made sure to photograph as many reception details as I could. Then, I headed over to the church—one of my favorite places to photograph weddings. Not only is it where I got married, but it’s also where I met my future husband back in fourth grade choir practice! Having photographed countless Hartselle weddings there, I knew exactly how to make the most of its beautiful light and timeless architecture.

Couple Portraits

Since Katie and Lucas opted not to do a first look (they did a first touch instead), we took their portraits immediately after the ceremony. With rain in the forecast, we worked quickly, capturing their love in a mix of classic indoor shots and a few dreamy outdoor portraits in between rain showers. Even with the time constraints, we were able to get some truly stunning images that highlight their love and joy as newlyweds, mainly because they trusted me as their wedding photographer, and THAT goes a long way on making or breaking you wedding day IMO!

Family / Bridal Party

Family and bridal party photos took place in the church lobby, a space with the perfect clean and bright lighting. I took advantage of the natural light by opening the two front doors, creating the perfect soft glow for portraits and giving me the cool breeze I needed to chill out (literally – I was sweating 🤣). One of the most emotional moments of the day was Katie’s first look with her dad. I always give dads and grooms a little pep talk before I put them in place, and since I did this at Katie’s sister’s wedding a couple of years ago, her dad already knew what was coming—he was emotional before he even turned around. It was such a heartfelt moment. Unfortunately, Katie’s sister, Kayla, wasn’t able to be there in person due to an unexpected hospital admission early that morning. Despite this, there were several FaceTime calls throughout the day, making these images even more meaningful for those who couldn’t be there in person.

Ceremony

My husband stepped in as my second shooter for the ceremony, and I couldn’t be prouder of how far he’s come with my spare camera! One of the most memorable moments was when the ring bearer had a little detour and didn’t quite make it down the aisle. As the doors were about to open for Katie and her dad’s grand entrance, I quickly scooped up the little one and carried him out the back—something I might have hesitated to do before having a child of my own! Also, a sweet and emotional touch was a wedding guest FaceTiming Katie’s sister during the ceremony so she could still be a part of it despite being in the hospital.

Reception

The celebration continued at The Venue with a fantastic DJ who kept the dance floor lively. From emotional first dances to a fun-filled evening of laughter and love, every moment was pure joy. The night ended with a classic sparkler exit—one of my favorite traditions, even though I somehow always manage to get burned! But the little sparks are always worth it for the magical send-off they create, and it was the perfect way to celebrate the new Mr. and Mrs. Sparks – pun intended :]

I loved every second of Katie and Lucas’ wedding day. It was a privilege not only to be present but to play such an important role in preserving their memories. Katie and Lucas, thank you for trusting me to capture this special chapter of your love story—I hope these images bring you joy for years to come!

Vendor List

• Photographer: RAW Images (Best of the Best Photographer 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 – Hartselle, AL)
• Ceremony: FUMC Hartselle
• Reception: The Venue 
• Officiant: Jamin Grubbs
• Band/DJ: The Mix Show
• Florist: @meg_waldrop
• Caterer: Captain Dave’s
• Cake: Chillie Cole
• Hair: @hair_by_hollyb
• Makeup: @boyettcosmetics
• Wedding dress: @kathleensbridal
• Invitations: Kayla Riggs
• Favors (cookies): @farmfreshcookiesbyhunter