When I first arrived on the beautiful Lambuth campus as a college freshman, I had no idea that one day I would be shooting weddings there. The thought was so far from my mind it would have never even occurred to me, until after graduating and purchasing my first “grown up” camera. Fast forward about ten years to a small Starbucks on Highland Ave where I first met Lucy and Sam. When they told me they were getting married at Lambuth, of course I was filled with so much joy and excitement, not only for them, but because being at Lambuth feels like coming home for me. And I knew that it would be the perfect place for them to tie the knot, because that’s ultimately where they fell in love and their love story really unfolded.

On a beautiful and not-too-dramatically-hot day in August, Lucy met Sam in the R.E.Womack Chapel on Lambuth’s campus and they exchanged the most heart-felt vows in front of their family and friends. The color palette of turquoise, white and yellow perfectly popped with the overall theme of love and joy that was bouncing around on everyone’s face all day long. Lucy was so excited to finally see her groom, and all of her bridesmaids were placing bets on not “if” but “how much” Sam would start crying when he saw her walking down the aisle (and he did).

Lucy and her mom shared some of the sweetest mother-daughter moments as she prepared her veil. Her mom explained to me that the fabric wrapped around the bouquet was actually Lucy’s baby bonnet that had been saved and re-imagined for her wedding day (and of course my heart melted)! These moments seem to make the rest of the day slow down for a moment and are always some of my very favorites to capture. Sam and his groomsmen had the best time, running around and playing games before it was their turn to be photographed. Sam’s mom even allowed me to snap the most adorable picture of her sneaking in a kiss on the cheek before the ceremony!

When it was time for the ceremony to begin, there was not a single soul in the whole chapel without a smile on their face. The sunlight shone brightly through the chapel windows as one by one, Lucy’s best girls made their way down to the altar, and soon Lucy followed. She was absolutely glowing when she arrived to her groom, and his eyes were glistening as he saw her. The whole ceremony was such a tender time to celebrate. After the ceremony ended and the guests were making their way to the reception, I was able to steal Lucy and Sam away for some very sweet and much-needed time for the two of them to be together. You don’t realize just how quickly the whole day passes until it’s too late, and the time set aside for just the bride and groom is one of the most important pieces of the story. I walked the two of them around the campus which was now glowing in sunlight, they danced and twirled and giggled, held hands, held each other, kissed, made funny faces, and danced some more.

At their reception, Lucy and Sam were serenaded with the sweetest toasts from their siblings and bridal party. They cut the cake with the same knife that Sam’s parents used on their wedding day years ago, and danced to a Shinedown song. Their friends and family from near and far gave them lots of hugs and well-wishes, posed with them in a photo booth, and held sparklers as they made their getaway at the end of the night. The rain that was supposed to come never made an appearance, and it was the perfect ending to the perfect day.

Lucy and Sam, I’m so thankful for the both of you and your sweet families! Thank you for allowing me the honor of capturing your beautiful day and beautiful story. I will be praying for all of God’s blessings for your marriage in all of the years to come! Enjoy some of my favorite images from Lucy and Sam’s wedding below.

 

Ceremony Venue: The University of Memphis Lambuth Campus

Reception Venue: Private Residence

Dress: Low’s Bridal

Bridesmaid Dresses: David’s Bridal

Suits: GQ Fashions

Flowers: Season Witherspoon

Hair Artist: Erin Alexander

Cake Artist: JC Cakes

DJ: Colton Hunt

Ceremony Musicians: Farewell Mourning

Rentals: Eric’s Rentals