Wedding Chapel on the Mountain - Huntsville, AL

the couple

Working with Evan and Emma was such a dream. Not only are they fun and funny, but they're also kind and responsible. Meeting their families at the wedding, I can see where they got such wonderful traits!

They met at the apartments where they both lived, and Emma made sure to make an appearance whenever Evan was around. One day, it worked...he finally asked her out.

the details

Anna included items that each of her grandmothers and her sister had worn.

the wedding party

Emma's sister Anna was the Matron of Honor. Her other 3 bridesmaids are all nurses, as is Emma. She requested individual photos with each one to complete the collection from each of their weddings. Evan's nieces were the flower girl and junior bridesmaid. His dad was his best man, and his groomsmen were so helpful throughout the day!

After a morning of having her hair and makeup done, Emma is anxious for the moment she's been waiting for, planning for...hoping for. Nervous, she hurries to finish getting ready with her mother and bridesmaids until finally it's time.

She gets to see her groom.

As she walks from the bridal suite to the large wooden doors of the terrace, she watches him waiting for her beside the waterfall. The groomsmen open the doors, her sister lifts her veil from the ground, and Emma walks to the love of her life.

Evan's back is to her until, at the last minute, he turns to view his bride for the first time while everyone else fades away. They bask in a few private moments together before their wedding begins, the sound of the waterfall blocking out any noise from distant onlookers.

the venue

The Wedding Chapel on the Mountain

It's no wonder Emma and Evan chose this location to start their married life together! Evan proposed on a hike in the nearby Monte Sano State Park in October. Then we did their engagement photos at a waterfall in Tennessee. So we all loved that this venue is tucked away from the bustle of Huntsville on a mountain with a waterfall. It's an all-inclusive venue with the option to bring in your own vendors. The chapel itself holds about 100 people, and there are separate buildings for the bride, the groom, and the reception with outdoor seating and a gazebo as well. The owners and staff are so accommodating to make the day special.

They even arranged for the bride and groom to have their first meal as husband and wife in the bridal sweet during the beginning of the reception.

They also provided:

• the coordinator (Susie Kucinski)
• catering
• DJ
• flowers
• cold spark (for the sparkler send-off)
• and coordinated the cake through Batter Up Cakes

Hair and makeup was done offsite by Danielle Bobrowski

the family

They stole my heart! I didn't know a family could do that in just one day.

I had taken Emma's sister's maternity photos when I lived in Alabama, and she told me how much her family went on and on about how great they were.

Here's one of my favorites...

And here they are at the wedding with their daughter!

When Emma emailed me almost a year later about wedding and engagement photos, I started to realize just how serious her sister had been about her family loving the photos I took. But that was only the beginning.

Once we arrived at the venue, the groom's mother said to me, "Are you the engagement photographer? Those pictures were so good!" The bride's dad later said, "Our house is already so full of your pictures!"

During the reception, the bride was peeking through the door trying to get her mom's attention. She was so adorable that I had to snap a picture. Finally, I realized she had not succeeded in reaching her mom, so I pointed her in that direction. Then I followed them to see what they were doing. I thought it might be a good photo opp.

To my surprise and delight, the bride had pulled her mom aside to watch the short slideshow we had made of a few of the wedding photos we'd taken earlier in the day.

It was so fun for me to spend the day with this family.

Emma's parents have been together for over 35 years. While I was taking the photo below, Emma's mom said, "He's my best friend," And my heart just melted as I could feel their love and was inspired in my own marriage.

I know Emma is excited to finally have Evan to share her life with as her parents have shared theirs. While I was taking pictures of the four of them, Emma saw her parents kiss and decided they should do the same!

I love to ask brides in advance what extra photos they or their family would particularly appreciate if time allows. Even though they were exhausted and ready to head out about an hour early, we still had time to capture these images that Emma requested. (And we appreciated the extra time to drive back home since we like to be in bed by 10pm!)

Grandma photos have a special place in my heart since all of our grandparents have passed on. How is it that all grandma's seem to be both adorable and secretly feisty?

Emma & Evan,

Thank you so much for trusting us with your day. It was a joy and an honor for us. Your wedding was gorgeous, but your hearts are even more lovely. Emma, you are so beautiful inside and out. I'm so glad you found someone who recognizes that and will cherish you always. I look forward to following your journey through married life. May these photographs help you always remember the love and joy you felt on your wedding day. My hope is that they make you fall in love all over again throughout the years to keep your marriage strong.