Well, what can be said about an amazing couple so much in love? Let’s get to know Alesia and Cortez a little closer, shall we?
What brought you two together?
According to Alesia, their story is a bit cliché. A night of fun and laughter with friends at a local night spot like Loca Luna would be the setting of this random encounter. They literally bumped into each other admittedly confessing they do not know how to salsa dance and chose this location on a whim. “I never imagined I would randomly bump into the love of my life that night and then embarrass myself attempting to dance.” But that was not the only thing they would later find out they had in common. They have been inseparable ever since.
Tell us, how did Cortez propose?
Well according to Alesia, it all started in October of 2016 about a year after they met. Alesia wanted to do something fun and different to celebrate a milestone. Since they are an outdoorsy type of couple, she decided to book a small cabin in Blairsville, Georgia. They ended up doing all his favorite things including camping, grilling and fishing. While there, they decided to go to Brasstown Bald which is the highest peak in Georgia. If you have never been in the fall, I highly recommend checking it out. While at the top, a park ranger excitedly told them that they picked the perfect weekend to visit. That night, there was to be a super moon and people from all over the country were coming into town to hike the peak that night to see it.
So did they go back?
They instantly decided that they had to witness this unique celestial experience for themselves. They headed back over to Brasstown Bald later that evening expecting to see droves of cars filled with people waiting to hike the peak and see the super moon. Well, when they arrived, they were the only people. The once lively national park was now completely deserted. It was just the two of them. Alesia admits she normally is completely afraid of the dark, but they had come so far and really wanted to see the super moon. They began their walk which quickly turned into a slight jog and eventually ended up sprinting up to the peak (the random noises were getting to them). As they caught their breaths and walked the stairs to the top, they were completely captivated by the night sky. The sky was clear and even with the super moon beaming you could see every constellation in the sky. Completely overwhelmed by God’s beauty, they fell on to their knees thanking God for crossing their paths. A few years later, they returned to that very same location for a quick winter getaway and found him down on one knee.
What are you most looking forward to about your wedding?
In Alesia’s words: I am extremely excited about the wedding venue. I’m a pretty laid back individual, but I knew the venue would be one of the most important parts of bringing my vision into fruition. We are both adventurous and enjoy the outdoors, so I wanted a location that provided a rustic feel and matched our personalities. I toured maybe 10 venues before finding Foxhall Resort and falling head over heels in love. From the staff to the beautiful landscape—Foxhall is by far the most picturesque place near Atlanta. They have several lakes, open pastures, breathtaking overlooks and trees surrounding the venue. I’m looking forward to designing my wedding.
Do you have any tips or advice for other couples about to have engagement photos taken?
Book Lissette and Orlando!!!
Awwww, you make me want to cry
How was your overall session experience?
My experience with Viridian Images Photography was simply amazing. Lissette is exceptionally talented and gave perfect instructions on what to do and Orlando has a great eye for creative and artistic pictures. They are extremely passionate and it shows throughout the session. There were so many photo-worthy moments and they captured them all.
Nestled in the heart of Druid Hills, the Cator Woolford Gardens offers a rare glimpse into 1920s Atlanta. This lush oasis is one of the few viable estates still standing in the city today, and is virtually untouched by city sprawl. Once the home of Cator Woolford, a principal founder of what is now known as Equifax, the Italian-style gardens serve as an amazing backdrop for Fatima and Sunny’s engagement photos infused with decades of classic beauty and Southern charm.
Thank you Fatima and Sunny for an amazing afternoon photographing your engagement session at Cator Woolford.
What an awesome warm afternoon we spent in a nearby local city park with Amanda and Chance. The location chosen for their engagement session was Woodlands Garden just six miles from the city of Atlanta. A place we had never visited. Woodlands Garden is an eight acre mostly-wooded public garden located in Decatur, Georgia. The Garden’s mission is to preserve a woodland garden as an urban sanctuary to educate and engage the community in the natural world.
The afternoon quickly turned into early evening as the light was slowly disappearing. But we had to capture a few more. Amanda and Chance were having too much fun.
Thank you Amanda and Chance for a beautiful afternoon capturing your engagement photos and document this most special season of your lives. Looking forward to your wedding.
Blending two cultures—Chinese and Vietnamese—comes with a number of special ceremonies and traditions. Emily and Jimmy’s private ceremonies along with games involving the groom proving himself worthy of his bride blended perfectly on this cool spring day. You might remember them when we photographed their engagement session at Stone Mountain Park.
After we spent the morning at each of the family’s homes, we headed to Heritage Sandy Springs, where the official garden wedding ceremony followed by the reception were to take place. Emily and Jimmy opted for a first look before their wedding. We love when couples decide to go this route. It gives just enough time to create wonderful portraits of just the two of them without the stress of rushing through it during the short time allotted for cocktail hour. If you find yourself on the fence deciding whether to have a first look, we can help talk about the pros and pros (no that was not a typo). But don’t feel pressured. We will definitely work with what makes the two of you most comfortable. Take a look at just a few of the images we captured that beautiful spring afternoon at this quaint historically located garden.
Can’t you just see how giddy Jimmy was. He couldn’t contain his joy!
Look how romantic the wisteria covered trellis/pergola frames our lovely bride and groom.
Emily here is enjoying the last few minutes in the bridal suite provided by the venue along with her bridesmaids as they make sure every last detail is complete. She’s ready to go!
The firs dance song “Better Place” by Rachel Platten was sung a capella by the bridal party. What a special moment for our bride and groom.
Let them eat cake!
Let’s get this party started. Core Elite Entertainment had everybody on their feet.
Special thanks goes out to the amazing vendors that made this Heritage Sandy Springs wedding come together.
A while back we introduced Isabelle & Charlie via their wonderful engagement session at Lake Lanier. You might recall their PineIsle Pointe shoot included a labradoodle, a romp through the high grass fields and shoreline stroll that ultimately ended up in the water. Now we get a chance to share the other side of their journey as a couple. The wedding!
It was a perfect October day in Georgia. Not too cold, but just right for tying the knot. Isabelle & Charlie had just recently purchased a home at a country club. But not just any country club; it was TPC Sugarloaf!
Golfers in the South will immediately recognize that name. It has long been a prized member of the PGA TOUR’s acclaimed TPC Network of premier clubs. Designed by the Australian professional golfer Greg Norman and situated on 1,200 acres of Georgia’s countryside; it’s first class all the way. So a portion of their lovely 60,000 square-foot clubhouse would serve as the setting for both their ceremony and reception.
The day begins
As usual our storytelling style of coverage begins with the getting ready portion of the day. Isabelle chose to get ready at the clubhouse while Charlie hosted his buddies at their house. Since they had just recently purchased the house, they didn’t have much furniture. However one key piece was their gorgeous grand piano in the center of the house against a huge wall of windows. Charlie actually had a little extra time on his hands to play a little bit. Meanwhile Isabelle was going through her hair and makeup session as she was surrounded by loved ones. Once they were ready we moved right in to the couple’s first look in the center courtyard; next to Charlie’s favorite red Japanese maple where he stood patiently as she made her approach. After a few minutes of privacy we jumped into their bridal portraits, which included shots by the garden and a gigantic oak tree.
First look in the courtyard
Let the ceremony begin
The spot for the wedding was actually situated just outside the clubhouse on a perfectly manicured lawn with a trellis that overlooked the lake and the golf course. The ceremony was a simple but relaxed affair with a nice soft breeze comforting the couple as they exchanged their vows. After a few moments to greet family and friends we took them right back out for some additional portraits with the tall feather grass gardens by the lake.
A few more bridal portraits during cocktail hour
It’s time to get this party started
Finally the reception arrived. It was brisk and to the point. Introductions, the first dance and their cake cutting. All designed get to the most important portion of the evening, dinner and some fun on the dance floor. The night concluded with a fantastic sparkler exit.
Let them eat cake
Time for farewell to our lovely couple
All throughout this journey we had a great time getting to know Isabelle and Charlie and we are truly grateful to have been chosen to document this time in their life. We can’t wait to see how they continue to grow as a family in the future!
The team that made this wedding the fabulous event it was:
Venue coordination by: Elizabeth Smith — TPC Sugarloaf
It was a blistering hot start to this beautiful sunny day in June. Summer had arrived as evidenced by the beads of sweat forming on our foreheads as we take inventory of our gear in the car. Yet the moment we arrive to the setting of today’s wedding you totally forget the high temps.
After all, today we get to work in Rockmart’s dreamy In the Woods wedding venue! A 250 acre of lush woodlands surround a modern-rustic ceremony pavilion and a peaceful lake. A total gem in Georgia’s vast northwestern landscape.
The only thing better than shooting at this location is spending time with Casi and Kyle themselves. Such incredibly friendly people; it’s easy to lose track of time just hanging out with them. You may remember their lovely fall engagement session at Piedmont Park. If not, now might be a good time to check out their engagement blog post to get a better feel for how they met and who they are.
After several hellos and hugs, we split up to begin our getting ready coverage for the day. The groom and his buddies have their own private spot by the pool near the entrance of the venue. While Casi and the girls enjoy the bridal suite cabin overlooking the lake and the chapel.
Kyle, a pilot, enjoys a very
relaxed but animated conversation with his groomsmen on a fluffy couch over
drinks. Some are in the same industry and others are just close friends. A
varying array of topics are on display with most sentences beginning with “remember
when”. Then ending with side-splitting laughs.
Meanwhile Casi is having her own fun with the girls as they finish up their hair and makeup. With all the ladies in colorful matching robes moving swiftly around the suite; it’s almost like watching a painting in motion. They enjoy a little champagne as we breeze through some quick group portraits. Finally, the time comes to get dressed. Casi’s dress arrives hand delivered by mom and her maid of honor. A beautiful strapless ball gown from Stella York Design purchased at Suite Bridal. It’s perfect! She’s in the dress and ready to go in almost record time. By now the guys are almost done getting dressed. Their last hurdle is getting those tie knots perfect. This is one of our favorite parts of the day to shoot. There’s nothing like watching several guys cramming over a mirror as they flip long silky pieces of fabric around as if it were a synchronized event at the Olympics. Success! Kyle looks like a million bucks. So, we quickly take some group shots with his groomsmen outside by the pool and on the way the way back to the cabin. In about 10 minutes we return to their room, so they can enjoy the comfort of some air conditioning on this very hot day.
The first look
Just about that time the phone rings and we get word from
the coordinator that Casi is ready for the first look. So, Kyle is quickly
shuttled to the dock on the lake and we get him set up for her approach. What a
trooper. The sun is beating down on him as his bride makes her way from the
cabin. Nonetheless he patiently waits.
Something made much easier when your view includes a glass-like lake,
blue skies and trees that wrap this scene up in a million shades of green.
At last! She taps him on the shoulder and he gets to see his beauty. A very tender moment; so, we give them a little time alone as we photograph from a distance.
Now we can have some fun with portraits. This venue provides so many great photography spots it’s almost hard to decide where to begin. But we quickly make use of the dock, a dry creek bridge and the neighboring woods before heading into the honeymoon suite to cool down again and freshen up.
Time to get married
Next up is the ceremony. The chapel is already buzzing with guests and the groomsmen are doing their job. No, they’re not just welcoming friends and ushering folks to their seats under the cool breeze of the chapel’s monstrous airplane propeller ceiling fans. No, they are ribbing and making the groom laugh as he waits. Basically, making him feel relaxed and at ease.
Meanwhile the bride is on her way to the back entrance of
the chapel with her father. A large wooden gate and a stone pathway provides a
grand entrance for Casi. There’s a quiet moment before the music begins and
those large doors slowly open. We’re off! The bride and groom connect eyes
immediately as she makes her way to the front and the ceremony begins. The
bridal party flanks the couple on either side of the stage as the audience follow
the proceedings. About 30 minutes later it’s official. They’re married, and a kiss
seals the deal.
After a quick session of family photos, we sneak in a few more
bridal portraits before packing up our gear to head to the reception.
Time to get this party started
The reception hall is so warm and inviting! 5200 square feet of space designed with an elegant-rustic flair, befitting the natural setting of the country side. Exceptional landscaping surrounds the stone courtyard and the outdoor bar used for cocktail hour. Another highlight; the massive bar doors that lead guests into the building. Casi’s style is evident both with the details chosen to decorate this large space.
But everyone is hungry and ready to party. So, we roll right
into the start of the reception with the introductions of the bridal party and the
couple. This is quickly followed by the first dances and the toasts. As dinner
begins we utilize this down time for additional scouting and gear prep to set
ourselves up for some creative night time portraits. All the time we’re keeping
and eye on sunset and twilight times, so we can make the most of a colorful
sky.
As we make our way back in, the dance floor is ready to open. No shy folks here. With the first song there are 5 or 6 couples getting down. Covering the dance floor is another one of our favorite times at a wedding because we can document so many special moments as people let loose. Casi is right in the middle of it all with her bridesmaids. A little further along into the festivities we move to the cake cutting. A beautiful cake produced by Gabriel’s Desserts.
We peek outside and it’s just about the right time to take
advantage of the changing light as we approach sunset. So, we rush over to the
couple and ask for just 20 minutes of their time, so we can create some very
special images for them. By now we’ve also spoken to the coordinator and they
have a golf cart ready to zip us over to our pre-scouted locations. So off we
go. We head back to the water and the dock to get some romantic portraits using
some creative off camera flash work to highlight the couple in this setting. The
orange string lights add to the mood and feel of the moment. Then we rush over
to find the tallest hill on the property, so we can tower the couple over the
tree line against the colorful evening sky.
Before you know it we’re back at the party and we’re feeling stoked about having such a productive portrait session. Now it’s just about having fun and boy did they all have fun. The reception continued for a couple of hours before it was time for their sparkler-limo exit. What a spectacular day working with Kyle and Casi while meeting so many new folks. We highly recommend In the Woods as one of the top venues in Georgia to have your wedding unfold. Need more firsthand details about how to plan your photography for this venue? Contact us and we’ll be happy to assist!
The team that made this wedding the fabulous event it was:
Planning and coordination by the spectacular: Kathie Shramm — In the Woods
In our line of work as wedding photographers we are constantly meeting new couples each year. Each one of those couples, fantastic. Occasionally we come across people that totally embody sweetness at the purest definition of the word. Such is the case with Casi and Kyle. Both are smart and easy going with a great sense of humor.
Kyle was a pilot with Atlantic Southeast Airlines and Casi was a personal style blogger under howyouwearit.com and now represents Beautycounter as a consultant.
So, how did they meet? Well, this is how Casi breaks it down:
“Kyle and I met through Match.com, but later realized we were members at the same church. I knew Kyle was the one when I watched him get baptized. I had always prayed for a man who loved God with all his heart and seeing the man I loved get baptized was confirmation for me of that.”
The rest is history as they say.
For their engagement session they chose Piedmont Park. A popular spot with many couples in Atlanta for its vast array of scenes, including an epic skyline view. If you’re interested in Piedmont Park for your engagement photos; look at some of our other sessions at this wonderful location. Sarah Lyn and Jef, Chinyere and Kyrone, Yaqui and Alex. You’ll notice that even though we’ve photographed engagement photos here many times, we can always find new ways to transform our images to make this location look fresh and unique. In the meantime, please enjoy Casi and Kyle’s session on a chilly fall afternoon.
Weather in Georgia for an engagement session can be…
By Georgia standards Atlanta had a very strong winter. Temperatures stayed unusually low throughout the spring and rain seemed like a constant fixture almost every other day. Then out of nowhere we get a day in the low 90’s with scorching sun for Michael and Grace’s Ponce City Market and Beltline engagement session. That’s okay since this couple has all the warmth to match the setting.
A chance meeting
Grace and Michael met through their church. She had recently moved to Atlanta and really didn’t know many people. Thankfully her sister-in-law arranged a big lunch with many friends and invited her to come along. That’s where Michael came into the picture. They bonded immediately over the terrible Chinese buffet food they just had and how much they loved talking trash about each other’s favorite NBA teams. The rest is history as they say.
The details on their proposal
So, when the time came, how did he propose?
“He proposed at the Garden Lights, Holiday Lights show at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens in front of the lighted trees that changed colors according to the musical arrangement. It was magical and I was shocked (had no idea it was coming)!”
We met inside Ponce City Market which has quickly become a favorite spot for most Atlantans. Located on the Old Fourth Ward, this old Sears, Roebuck & Company building was renovated into a contemporary marketplace with a focus on food that reflects many of the flavors of this great city. The Atlanta Beltline connects right up to the market providing quick access to 45 great neighborhoods such as Virginia-Highland, Midtown and Inman park. The Beltline itself is a 22-mile loop of multi-use trails, parks and streetcars – all based on railroad corridors that formerly encircled Atlanta. It runs right through Piedmont Park(Atlanta’s version of Central Park) and it is packed with murals and sculptures from an eclectic mix of artists; becoming the largest temporary outdoor art exhibition in the south. As you can imagine, a location like this feels like a gold mine for both art-loving couples and photographers.
Our session began inside the market so we could take advantage of the backlit colored windows located throughout the Central Food Hall. Not to mention the air conditioning was cranking! A perfect way to kick off an engagement session with a couple so they could ease into the process. This couple truly has a blend of modern style with timeless elegance. Michael was rocking a navy bespoke suit with Allen Edmonds wingtips. His suit was a surprise gift from his future father-in-law during their most recent trip to Taiwan. Grace was glowing in a bohemian hunter green dress with Clarks Spiced Ava sandals. Both providing great contrast against all the backgrounds we used across the afternoon. From there we jumped directly on the Beltline so we could photograph one of their favorite murals at Paris on Ponce. A richly colored flower mural with a mini faux Eiffel Tower sculpture. The heat was starting to kick in a bit so we huddled up in a slightly shady corner of this display to catch a few silly moments with a rusty gorilla. Then we were off again, doubling back to the cartoon mural just over North avenue and a somewhat new favorite; the Tim Frank columns sculpture. Once again we scurried for some shade and managed to find some interesting green benches under an overhang adjacent to the entry back into Ponce. It was cooler there which gave us a chance to grab a few quick shots before we had to move on. Grace and Michael had some other murals they wanted to photograph with so we hopped in the car and drove a bit further down the Beltline so we could keep them nice and cool in their nice outfits. That trip brought us to two very popular pieces of art. First up their personal favorite, the Hense mural by Alex Brewer. Or as they call it, the “bubble” mural. As one can imagine, a beautiful warm day in Atlanta means there was a lot of foot traffic going through this area. So, we decided to incorporate shots of joggers and bikers coming through our shots using a slow shutter drag. Directly on the opposite side is the second point of interest. Brandon Sadler’s / Rising Red Lotus masterpiece. A large mural featuring a circular pond of brightly colored koi.
Before we knew it almost 3 hours had gone by since we first began the shoot. A testament to how much fun we had with this couple and their incredible disposition. They were willing to go along with every crazy request we threw their way to obtain the most artistic imagery we could create on the spot. Battling large crowds, long walking distances and blistering temperatures in a suit and dress, no less. Thanks Michael and Grace for allowing us to share our love of artistic photography with you. We can’t wait to continue our adventure with you this summer at your wedding, where we look to document so many friends and family coming in from various destinations from around the world to share in your special day!
From there we jumped directly on the Beltline so we could photograph one of their favorite murals at Paris on Ponce. A richly colored flower mural with a mini faux Eiffel Tower sculpture.
The heat was starting to kick in a bit so we huddled up in a slightly shady corner of this display to catch a few silly moments with a rusty gorilla.
Then we were off again, doubling back to the cartoon mural just over North avenue and a somewhat new favorite; the Tim Frank columns sculpture.
Once again we scurried for some shade and managed to find some interesting green benches under an overhang adjacent to the entry back into Ponce. It was cooler there which gave us a chance to grab a few quick shots before we had to move on.
Grace and Michael had some other murals they wanted to photograph with so we hopped in the car and drove a bit further down the Beltline so we could keep them nice and cool in their nice outfits. That trip brought us to two very popular pieces of art. First up their personal favorite, the Hense mural by Alex Brewer. Or as they call it, the “bubble” mural. As one can imagine, a beautiful warm day in Atlanta means there was a lot of foot traffic going through this area. So, we decided to incorporate shots of joggers and bikers coming through our shots using a slow shutter drag. Directly on the opposite side is the second point of interest. Brandon Sadler’s / Rising Red Lotus masterpiece. A large mural featuring a circular pond of brightly colored koi.
It was a very muggy summer afternoon after the rain when we met up at Sope Creek Park along the Chattahoochee River in Marietta, GA. But, these two were troopers and never once complained. They were happy to be together, enjoying the afternoon and the beautiful scenery around us. Have I mentioned we’ve got the best couples. Our couples are always ready for adventure and accommodating every odd request we asked of them for the shot.
Jose and Jennifer met a few years back while doing some volunteer work. A year went by until they would see each other again. They briefly talked and once again lost contact. Jennifer was invited to attend a training school to help her better evangelize to those in the community and guess what?, there he was again. This would be the first time they actually had a conversation (Jennifer’s words). At that time, he was on his way to Bolivia for 5 months, but that didn’t stop that initial spark they had for each other from developing. They maintained communication while he was away and with time confessed his interest in Jennifer. They both agreed it was best to keep things open until his return. After his return from Bolivia, it was now her turn to leave the country and so she went to Colombia to volunteer for a few weeks. All this time he never stoped thinking about her and upon her return, they officially began dating. And in her words, the rest, well, is history…
It’s a small town or better yet, a small world. I first met Michael through where we usually meet our couples, through our online contact form. It so happens we have a mutual friend in common and I hadn’t seen our friend in a while. It’s so refreshing to have connections between people. There’s not enough of that in the world right now. In any case, we set up a time to invite them over and talk about their upcoming wedding. Elisabeth came first after work that evening and asked how her drive was. I was surprised to hear that it wasn’t so bad. She actually works right outside our community at a local dentist office. Talk about small world. A few minutes later, and Michael arrived. Well let me tell you, she lit up as soon as he entered. It was beautiful to see these two together. They are so kind and genuine. We talked and talked about their plans and the venue and how they envisioned the beginning of their new lives together. So much talk that we lost track of the time. We’re so happy to have been a part of your day!
So Michael and Elisabeth decided they wanted to have their engagement session in downtown Roswell. It fit just right for them since they’re familiar with the area and their wedding was being held at Primrose Cottage.
They just light each other up. Adorable.
We walked around a bit and ended up at Primrose Cottage and decided to take some photos here. Although it was a cold and cloudy day, they seem to bring out the warmth within each other.
Continuing our walk through downtown Roswell, we took a break and stopped by Provisions.
Can’t help but get excited with a solid blank wall. And they were having a ball being goofy with each other.
We’re so happy for you. Your wedding did not disappoint. Want to see their engagement slideshow. Well, wait no more.
