They grow up so fast!

Back in my babysitting days, I took these munchkins to the pool every Tuesday and then it was Chick-fil-a for lunch. Not so little anymore and oh, so beautiful + handsome, it was such a joy to get together for some summer portraits. 

 
 

Erika + Hunter | Mossy Oak Farm Wedding

 

I just love this couple and was so delighted to be apart of their beautiful, rustic wedding at Mossy Oak Farm. My favorite details were Erika's amazing cotton bouquet and Hunter's feather and snake skin bow tie! Amazing! Check them out!

Erika+Hunter_Sneak_Peek-1.jpg
 
 

Describe your engagement ring:

This diamond is very special because it was once belonged to Hunter's mother and  is a diamond from 1983. Hunter described my ring as a "crown," being that it has small diamonds around every angle of this ring, and I could not agree more! He picked my ring out by himself, and every time I look down at it, I think of how lucky I am to have found this man of mine!

What led you to choose your wedding venue? What makes it special?

Everything about this venue is perfect, from the big swamp with cypress trees, the barn, a cabin, two beautiful pavilions, and just enough distance from our hometown! I knew this place was the one that was perfect for us! Mossy Oak Farm is special because it is naturally beautiful, and I do not know anyone personally that has ever gotten married here before!

Three things that fuel your relationship:

Our dogs (Cash and Harvey), hunting, and family!

Do you have any advice for other couples?

Be yourself, be each other's help mate, and love each other's strengths along with their flaws! Do not try to change your significant other! Communicate by listening and understanding one another!

Congratulations Mr. & Mrs. Stuckey!

Thank you to all these amazing vendors!

Hair / Makeup: Fonda Davis-Hair/ Kate Davis-Makeup

Dress: Frills / White Weddings

Groom attire: David's Clothing

Florals: Razz Jackson Designs by Robert Wynn

Entertainment: Backbeat Boulevard

First Dance Song: Still the One by Orleans

Food: Skippers Fish Camp

Cake: Patsy Hopkins and Ann Spellman

Theme: Rustic, natural, with neutral colors

 

Real and rememberable family photos - not perfect!

The perfect family photo...everyone is ready. Mom's hair stays in place. Dad's gut is sucked in. No one is blinking and all the kids are behaving. Happens every time, right?

While that "perfect" posed group shot will look gorgeous hanging on your wall - I am out to capture the family interactions, the personalities, that little light in your kids' eyes when we holler "Was that a dolphin over there?!!" (Yes, St. Simons Island sees dolphins almost every day!)

I want to be just another participant during a family walk on the beach as we search for crabs and have foot races. Out to document how your life really can feel sometimes - wild, sweet, silly, ridiculous, beautiful, and worth it. 

Thank you, Grimsley Family for spending this gorgeous evening with me!

 
 

Kristen + Kyle | Maiden Creek Landing Wedding

 
Kristen + Kyle-1.jpg
 

How and where did they propose?

We went on a cruise to the Bahamas in June for Kyle's Birthday. He totally surprised me, asking me one night after dinner.

 

Kristen wanted classic bohemian as the wedding theme incorporating colors like wine red, blush, and sage. 

Do you have any advice for other couples?

Enjoy the little things. That makes the bigger things even better.

Congratualtions, Kyle + Kristen!

 

 

 

Hair / Makeup: Sally Barnes - Studio Bleu

Dress: Jacqueline Exclusive bought from Bride Beautiful, Sandy Springs, GA

Groom attire: Asos

Jewelry: Borrowed from sister

Florals: Cottage Flowers

First Dance Song: Mae - We're So Far Away

Food: Southern Soul BBQ

Cake: Sugarbaker's

Invitations: minted.com

Color scheme: Classic/bohemian - wine (red), blush, sage

Adair + Samuel | Horse Stamp Inn Wedding

It all started with an ice cream date and here is their happily ever after. 

The Horse Stamp Inn was the perfect backdrop for Sam and Adair's love story celebration. 

Wishing you all the love and joy in the world, Mr. and Mrs. Ellis!

 
DSC_5276.jpg
 

Married under the oaks. Rustic elegance never looked so good.

Party time! 

(P.S. - that's my brother who caught the garter! Do I hear wedding bells in the not so far off distance, Rowdy and Chrissy??!)

Thank you to all the vendors for your hard and beautiful work and to my amazing photographer, Gabbie for capturing those moments!

Adair + Sam's Engagement Session

Photographer: Assocaite RGP Photographer, Gabbie Burseth

Videographer: Coastal Creative Co.

Dress/ Veil : Bleubelle Bridal

Hair/Makeup: Uberzoot Hair Co.

Groom attire: Michael Kors

Shoes : Macy's

Food : Moondoggy's

Cake : Sugar Bakers

Florals: A Courtyard Florist

Entertainment :   Island Sound

First Dance Song: "Today" by Brad Paisley

Invitations :  Paramount Printing

 

 

Merissa + Gavin | Ocean Lodge Wedding | St. Simons Island

 

"Old Hollywood glamour at its finest.
Our bride, Merissa, looks like something straight out of an old-time film."

Thank you to the Savannah bridal boutique Ivory & Beau for featuring Merissa + Gavin's beautiful ocean front wedding!

Merissa+Gavin (2 of 2).jpg

You can't help but feel a bit royal when walking the steps of Ocean Lodge. Merrissa picked this venue for it's classic elegance. 

 The prayer between the groom, bride. and her grandmother had everyone in tears.

“This [Merissa’s] dreamy look was made complete by the Sasha Veil by Couffia Couture… not to mention the sweetest bouquet of anemones and silver dollar eucalyptus. ”
— Ivory & Beau

This amazing reception had some of the best dancing and the best views including a beautiful, bright, full moon over and the ocean and surprise fireworks!

Congratulations  Merissa + Gavin!

Merissa + Gavin's Engagement Session

Dress/ Veil : Ivory & Beau @maggiesotterodesigns

Hair/Makeup: Felicia Cammon

Groom attire: Gentleman’s Outfitters

Shoes : Ivory & Beau

Food : Ocean Lodge – Steak and Mahi Mahi

Cake : Hollaways Bakery

Florals: Edward on SSI; white flowers (peonies, garden roses, hydrangeas, anemones, babies breath, freesia) and greenery (eucalyptus, Italian ruscus)

Entertainment : Gary with Island Sound

Harpist: Kathy Braswell

Invitations : Serendipity Paperie

Videographer: Triptych Media

 

Adair + Sam | Jekyll Isand Historic District Engagement

 
Rainey_Gregg_Photography_St._Simons_Island_Georgia_California_Wedding_Portrait_Photography_0707.jpg

As a photographer, I have no greater satisfaction than helping clients feel beautiful and confident in front of a camera. My passion and purpose have intersected...and I couldn’t be happier capturing love like Sam + Adair’s.
.
I LOVED tinkering with this darker editing style upon Adair’s request. It really worked her floral dress and the Jekyll trees as the sun disappeared. I may have to use it more :)

Cannot wait for thier Horse Stamp Inn wedding! Oh, it's going to be beautiful!

 

Toni + James | Jekyll Island Engagement

It's been amazing to see this couple grow in their love.. since high school! I have such precious memories of getting ready for school dances with Toni and watching James make winning touchdowns at the Glynn Academy football games.  It's such an hour to be their wedding photographer and document this time of being engaged. 

MEGAN + RYAN | EAST BEACH ENGAGEMENT

 
Rainey_Gregg_Photography_St._Simons_Island_Georgia_California_Wedding_Portrait_Photography_0555.jpg

It's crazy what you notice when you've got a camera in hand and a pretty couple by your side. I've walked down the Coast Guard each access probably 1,000 times and never fully noticed or appreciated the different types of backgrounds this one little spot has. I'm in love with this little beach fencing and the desert look of the trees. I love feeling like a tourist on my own island. Megan and Ryan looked amazing in their beachy outfits against these backdrops! Loved their outfit choices!

Megan has one of the most unique engagement rings I've ever seen! Smitten!

It is a mix of rose gold and white gold in the shape of a rose flower.

What made you fall for him?

He made me laugh and loved my nerdy personality.

Three things that fuel your relationship:

Bike rides, date nights, and hammock family time

Do you have any advice for other couples?

Don't take things too seriously. Have fun. Enjoy life. Move to a vacation area near the beach. :)

 

Darlynn + Brandon | Oak Orchard Wedding

Burlap, lace, and burgundy, OH MY! This Oak Orchard wedding was an elegant, rustic dream. Darlynn and Brandon kept each other warm in the frigid January air, making for beautiful and cuddly moments. 

 
Darlynn + Brandon - Portraits-398.jpg
Darlynn + Brandon - Portraits 1.1-61.jpg
 

I knew this wedding would be a blast after hanging out with these two at their engagement shoot. They were awesome enough to bring along their dog Bentley who was still with us in spirit (and on the groom's socks) at the wedding. 

This is the lighting dreams are made of. 

How good looking is this wedding party - just filled with laughs. 

The bride walked down the isle to "Here Comes the Sun"

I had the luxury of being able to wear 3 layers of thermals on this cold day. Even with frozen toes, these lovebirds were all smiles. 

Now for the fun part. The bride and her father's choreographed dance was a fantastic surprise and the groom's toddler nephew took over the dance floor with his bold moves.

Wishing every year of your marriage is as joyful as your wedding day was, you two!

Darlynn + Brandon's Engagement Session

VENUE: Oak Orchard in Brunswick, Georgia

SECOND SHOOTER: Hannah Kicklighter

VIDEOGRAPHER: Trace Walker

FLORIST: Mystical Gardens Flower Shop

BRIDAL GOWN: Frills By Scott

CAKE ARTIST: Holloways

BAND/DJ: DJ Pete Alston

MAKE-UP ARTIST: Adair Clack and Mackenzie Claussen

HAIR ARTIST: Fancy Dos

TUXES: Men's Warehouse

STATIONERY: Etsy

FOOD: Grandy's

 

Kelsey + Tyler | Driftwoord Beach Engagement

So glad to have met this awesome couple. They were super flexible when it came to how crazy the island was during the Merry Shrimpmas Festival. The first location they wanted to shoot at was unavailable... but they found a perfect, private spot filled with beautiful live oaks. I'm totally gonna make it my new go-to place. 

I also fell in love with her engagement ring story. Read on!

Kelsey + Tyler (8 of 10).jpg

Describe your engagement ring:

My father passed away almost three years ago before Tyler and I started dating. The diamond in my ring is from a pendant that my Dad gave my Mom several years ago. The necklace had three diamonds symbolizing the past, present, and future and my mom passed on the "future" diamond to Tyler to give to me. Even though Tyler and my Dad never got to meet, I feel like I have his blessing in my ring! I was absolutely blown away.

How and where did he propose?

We both grew up visiting Jekyll Island and my Gram lives on the island full time now. We went down to visit her one afternoon and she texted me that she was walking the dog on Driftwood Beach and to meet her out there. She came walking up followed by my Mom and Aunt as soon as I got, "Why are y'all here?" out of my mouth I realized what was happening. He got down on a knee and told me I make him the happiest man alive. I didn't even let him finish before I said "Of course I'll marry you!!" It was so special to get engaged on our favorite beach where we both grew up playing and making memories. Now we have a new memory there together!

Wishing you all the love and joy in the world, Kelsey + Tyler!