Tiffany & Jeff - Homewood Wedding

Many of you know that I am a recent transplant to Alabama. I am from New Orleans but have lived in Texas, Indiana, Florida, Washington, and Africa. I have photographed weddings in Canada, Mexico, Detroit, Chicago, Dallas, Indianapolis, and many many more places. There are little cultural variations in wedding traditions from place to place, and that's part of the fun of being a wedding photographer with the opportunity to travel. One thing that was pretty common and universal was that the ceremony was in one place (say a church) and the reception was in another (say a banquet hall). On rare occasions you would have them both in the same place (say at an outdoor venue), but that was the exception and not the rule. Since I have been in Alabama, however, it has been just the opposite. Most weddings and receptions have been in the same place. Be it a church, outdoor venue, or private home, every wedding I have done in Alabama to date has been this way. Now, I am not saying that there is anything at all wrong with having both in the same location. From a logistics standpoint it does make my job easier. I am merely making an observation. So how is all of this relevant to Tiffany and Jeff? Well, there's was the first where the ceremony was in one place (Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church in Homewood) and the reception was in another (The Wine Loft in downtown Birmingham). We can even throw in a third location because Tiffany got ready and we started off the day at the beautiful Tutwiler Hotel. All three locations were beautiful and gave me lots of great opportunities for some great images as you can see below!

As for the couple themselves, Tiffany and Jeff were great to work with and very photogenic (as you can see from their engagement photos). The emotion that they displayed is one of the reasons I love my job. To capture that emotion, frozen in time, forever, is simply exhilarating for me and I do hope that it comes through in the images. Kelly and I loved being a part of their day and I can't wait to show off all of the images. Until then here is a preview of some of my favorites so far. I hope you enjoy them and please feel free to comment!

Our favorite place to start the day!

I just loved all of the detail work and the sleeves on this dress!

Kerri Bunn, make up artist did a fantastic job. I really get excited when I see a make up artist using airbrushed make up. It can make my job easier!

Tiffany made her invitations herself. I think that she did a great job!

My lovely wife, Kelly, was not only my assistant but she helped out the florist too!

Tiffany's beautiful bouquet by Backstage Florists.

Matron of Honor's bouquet.

Stephanie of Joelle Salon in Homewood was great o work with as well!

See what I mean about the detail work on this dress!

I really do love when the couple sees each other before the wedding. Not only does this make it a faster and smoother transition to the reception, but you get emotions like this! At the altar things are happening so fast that it is had to have moments like this and its even harder to savor them. I have never had a couple say that they regretted seeing each other before the ceremony.

Now for something a little different. I love to try new things and sometimes I will just have an idea pop in my head. I like how the buildings form the letter L, as in Love!

Backstage Florist did the floral arrangements as seen here at the wine loft. I thought they did a beautiful job.

Neat little touch here. On every table was a different wedding related fact.

The Wine Loft

I really liked this form of bouquet for the flower girl. The colors all came together so well.

I thought this was a fantastic idea. There was a kids table set up with colors, coloring books, and other fun things for the children. It was very popular and kept the kids from getting bored. Very smart!

Tiffany and Jeff had one of the most beautiful and emotional first dances that I have ever had the privilege of photographing!

This photo represents why I love my job so much. It is a simple portrait yes, but it is also three generations of a family. I love being a journalist of this moment in a family's life. I understand and accept the responsibility of capturing these unrepeatable events. It is my hope that they cherish these images for the present as well as for the generations yet to come.

Tiffany got a little payback on Jeff for a little over zealous cake feeding.

Tiffany's grandmother was quite a hoot! She was cutting a rug with everyone withing reach!

He is going to be taking over for me next week.

Congratulations Tiffany & Jeff!

Thanks to all of the vendors that helped make Tiffany & Jeff's day beautiful!

Make-Up - Kerri Bunn
Hair - Stephanie Richardson at Salon Bella
Dress & Veil - Diane's Formal Affair
Flowers- Backstage Florist 
Cake- Publix
Reception Venue - The Wine Loft