Emily and Caleb had one of the most personal and sentimental weddings I’ve witnessed…they were married in the chapel where her maternal grandparents had started Wilson Chapel United Methodist Church. The chapel is called The Little Sistine Chapel and is simply beautiful as you can see by this photo…

Emily and Caleb Corwin

Their officiant was flown in by Caleb’s parents–he is the same pastor who married Caleb’s parents nearly thirty years ago. They integrated a German tradition called “warming of the rings” where the family of the groom passed along Emily’s wedding band, and the family of the bride passed along Caleb’s band…family member to family member until the rings were finally passed to the officiant who blessed them before they exchanged rings.

It was a sweet and beautiful wedding; at the same time, Emily and Caleb’s friends and family are so much fun! I’m sure you’ll enjoy the video of their wedding highlights…everyone seemed to have a great time. Brandy Spears of Brandy Spears Catering did an outstanding job with the flowers and food; Glenn of Magic Muffins “wowed” everyone with his cakes; James Meredith of Coats Classic Cars made sure Emily and Caleb were delivered to Matt Jones Gallery and then to their hotel in high style with “Helen” the elegant Rolls; and Joe with Feel the Beat made sure everyone had a good time on the dance floor.

At Gretchen B Photography, our team is privileged to capture the images that ultimately are the bride and groom’s first family heirloom…we appreciate the fact that there are many talented photographers in the Birmingham area and are happy to have been chosen by Emily and Caleb to be their photographers!

On October 7, 2011, Chad and Angela were married in a small intimate ceremony at Holt Baptist Church. The reception was also held at the church. The bride’s aunt helped with many of the decorations including the amazing candy bar!

Another very fun addition to to this non-traditional, traditional wedding was the addition of Angela and Chad’s dog for a photo or two…very handsome tux, I might add!

Check out their wedding highlights video…Angela’s take on “something blue” was a pair of Converse; she and her bridesmaids all wore very fun, colorful socks. Chad’s socks matched Angela’s shoes. Very fun and unique wedding!

A most gorgeous day for a most wonderful wedding; October 1, 2011! Jenna Kate Smith and Drake Posny were married in an intimate ceremony surrounded by family and friends at the historic South Highland Presbyterian Church. Their reception at The Club was great fun with music provided by Feel the Beat. I loved Jenna Kate’s blue shoes! She had a dollar borrowed from her dad that she tucked into her garter, and there was a piece of fabric from her mother’s wedding gown pinned to her own. Everyone celebrated Jenna Kate and Drake’s marriage including lots of nieces and nephews! Check out their wedding highlights video, and you’ll see for yourself two people perfectly in tune with one another. Congratulations, Jenna Kate and Drake! You are fabulous! (For best viewing, please allow video to load for a few seconds before playing.)

Chad and Angela love nature so Aldridge Gardens was a logical place for their engagement session in late September. We had a wonderful time with them–the weather was perfect–the light was awesome–and they are so much fun! Enjoy the highlights of their session in this video…oh, and the pumpkin story is that Chad proposed to Angela by writing “Will you marry me?” on a pumpkin that was hidden among the others at a local pumpkin patch (last year). What a great story and how fun to use a pumpkin in a few of the images at the gardens…

Caitlin and Paul were married on a beautiful summer day on August 6. Vestavia Methodist Church provided a stately background for the ceremony. Both Caitlin and Paul grew up in the church, and their minister spoke so personally about Caitlin and Paul and her feelings toward them. It was one of the most intimate ceremonies I’ve witnessed…I think we all felt like we were being “let in” the relationship that Caitlin and Paul share. Caitlin and Paul were whisked away in the waiting Bentley to their reception at B&A Warehouse. About 300 people joined in the celebration with a terrific band playing a wide variety of music that had people dancing the night away.

One of my favorites from the wedding reception and a short version of their wedding highlights slideshow. Enjoy!

When Tammy and Hunter were choosing where to have their wedding, they decided on Hunter’s family farm in Linden, Alabama…was the best decision they could have made! Hunter’s mother does a lot of entertaining…the grounds are absolutely gorgeous. Hunter’s mother, “JoMomma” is a terrific host. Rachael Grammer of Two Hearts Weddings and Ricky Whitley changed the large carport into a dreamy dining hall with a seated dinner for 30. The couple was married under the shade of a giant oak tree decorated with a flower cross on the tree and ribbons floating through the limbs. The swimming pool had floating wreaths with burning candles. The intimate wedding was relaxed and elegant all at once. The guests had a marvelous time celebrating the union of Tammy and Hunter–two people who are perfectly suited for one another. Congratulations to you both, and may you enjoy many, many years of happiness! Thank you for allowing us to share in your joy!

Mr. and Mrs. Hunter Hall

This short video will give you a glimpse into their day.

Jason and Kristen were married on an absolutely gorgeous day…Saturday, June 28, at First United Methodist Church in downtown Birmingham. Their reception was held at the Birmingham Museum of Art…the guests were entertained by a fabulous band while enjoying delicious and artfully displayed heavy hors d’oeuvres. Jason and Kristen are perfect for each other as you can see in the images of the two of them. This is one of my favorites…a few more are included in the short video of their wedding day highlights. Enjoy!

Mr. and Mrs. Jason Smith!

All I can say is, “WOW”! Emily and Caleb came to the studio a couple of weeks ago on a very hot June afternoon for their engagement session. I had met Emily once (thank you, Trey, for your referral!) but had not met the groom…Caleb. What a happy couple! They laughed and played and generally had a great time in front of the camera. Their wedding is in December, and I can hardly wait! One of the best things about being in the wedding industry is meeting so many different types of people. I simply love studying how people interact, and it constantly amazes me that there are no two couples exactly alike. “Ain’t love grand?”

Here are some of my favorite images from the session, and I’ve put together a slideshow, too. There are just so many fun images! I trust you will enjoy watching Emily and Caleb as much as I did photographing them!

Emily and Caleb in the studio

By the waterfall

A private joke

These past two weeks have absolutely flown by…I’ve just put the finishing touches on the wedding highlights video for Lindsey and Sam. We are thrilled to be able to share our vision of the wedding day…One of the things we make of a point of doing is lots of images of the details. Typically the bride (and sometimes the groom) and the bride’s mother spend countless hours making decisions about every aspect of the wedding day. Unfortunately, the wedding day becomes a blur of activity and the details go unnoticed. It’s the photography that allows the bride and her mother to really enjoy the results of their many hours of work. I trust you will enjoy the video of the highlights of Sam and Lindsey’s wedding day.

Last weekend we had the privilege and honor of being the photographers for Lindsey and Sam Ladnier. Many thanks to Neena and Basil for their gracious hospitality while we were there.

The wedding was held in a majestic Episcopal church close to downtown, and the reception was at the Magnolia Manor. Both are wonderful venues for this vintage style wedding. Lindsey wore a gown she found while shopping for antiques. After some alterations, she found that she had to re-do the cording on many of the pieces of lace on the top of her wedding gown. (Lindsey has a background in theater and costumes which certainly came in handy!) Even her wedding shoes were vintage!

Her maternal grandmother brought an ornate pin for Lindsey to wear–the pin has been passed down generations, and every bride in the family wears the pin on the underskirt of her gown. Lindsey also carried a blue handkerchief that belonged to her grandmother. Many of the gorgeous hydrangea and roses at the wedding reception were grown by her maternal grandmother. Antique tea cups and tea pots also provided by her grandmother were used to display the flowers. Lindsey’s paternal grandmother stopped her on the way to the church with a surprise gift–her garter that she wore in 1955 when she married Lindsey’s grandfather! So many touching moments…so many treasures were shared in love. Watch for more photos soon!

Special touches