Katie + Ryan || Gulfport, MS Wedding

If there was one word that I'd pick to describe Katie and Ryan, it would be heartwarming.  We met last year at Cat Island Coffee in Pass Christian and I think I was smiling all day after getting to meet them.  They just have a glow about them and it's really contagious.  They are from the Baton Rouge area, but wanted to plan an intimate wedding on the coast because they both love the water so much.  They planned to have a small and intimate ceremony on the beach, and then afterwards have a reception with friends and family at the Historic Grass Lawn in Gulfport.  About a month before the wedding, they decided to move the ceremony onto the lawn itself, to make attending easier for family members.  I think the live oaks on the lawn are so romantic and beautiful, so I was excited to hear of the change!  Plus we planned to sneak away to the beach right after the ceremony to get some photos on the beach of Katie, Ryan, and Cooper (Katie's seriously adorable toddler).  

This venue was perfect for the couple!  They wanted a simple, elegant, and romantic venue and the Grass Lawn definitely has that going for it.  As a photographer, I definitely appreciate the white walls on the inside.  I love love love natural light, but when the walls are painted a loud color, it can sometimes cause a color cast on the bride's face while she's getting ready.  But I digress.  I loved that Katie and Ryan chose to do a sweet first look before the ceremony.  It was awesome to be able to get two perspectives at their first look, as Ricky (my husband and second shooter in training!), captured one side and I captured the other.  After the first look, we were able to do the rest of the formal photos right on the lawn.  

The ceremony was so beautiful and although it was a tad windy, I thought the flowy dresses looked beautiful in the coastal breeze.  Maybe I'm crazy, but I LOVE dresses blowing in the wind in photos (and hair blowing in the photos...don't get me started!).  Any kind of movement in photos give them life!  So don't be scared of a little breeze in your photos brides-to-be.  Gone are the days of perfectly posed and stiff photos and every hair being in place!

After the ceremony, we ran away to the beach for about 20 minutes to grab some photos of Ryan, Katie, and Cooper.  It was the perfect way to celebrate their beautiful vows they just made to each other.  Since we had knocked out all the family and wedding party photos beforehand, we had more than enough time to create some special photos of just the two of them.  

And about their reception, I'll just say this:  Louisiana folks know how to get down.  Jeff Vance from Scratch and Surf Music kept everyone dancing and even gave me a little lesson on Louisiana culture by showing me which songs would keep everyone happy.  He knows his stuff!   The food by Catering Creations was incredible and the smells that filled up the house were divine.  

SO excited to be back in the middle of a wedding season again!  2017 has been amazing already and can't wait to see what else is in store! 

Vendors:

Venue:  Historic Grass Lawn

Officiant: Tammy Lombardo

Hair:  Blair Amedee

Makeup: Jenna Kelley

Catering: Catering Creations

DJ:  Scratch and Surf Music