She said people kept asking her about the rain because the forecast all week wasn’t looking too promising for their wedding day.  But her response was what I hope any bride would say… “Come 5:30pm, Jason and I will have our ceremony and we’ll be married.  That’s all that matters about today!”  God had been writing their story for years, including 6 years of friendship before they started dating, and no rain or thunderstorm was going to stop this wedding day from happening.

And they were both in it with smiles and excitement and maybe a few nerves :-)  As I was getting my things ready for their wedding day, I couldn’t help but get a little nostalgic because Jackie has made cupcakes for at least a couple of my previous brides AND she was getting married where Ben and I were married.  I also haven’t photographed a wedding at Grace Downtown in at least 3 years and since we started going to the Greer Campus of Grace Church, we haven’t attended church at the Downtown Campus since last summer… so it felt SO good to be back there!

As beautiful as the church is though, Jackie and Jason would have been happy getting married ANYwhere as long as they were pronounced husband and wife at the end of it all.  Just after they walked up the aisle hand in hand, we went outside thinking the rain had stopped, but it was drizzling and didn’t actually stop for a while.  Thankfully, Jackie said several times that they trusted me and so we went for it!  We grabbed umbrellas from my car and did all of their portraits outside!  It was perfect!  These two are such adventurers (I mean, they got up at 4am for their engagement session on the top of a mountain with me!) that some rain on their wedding day was nothing.  Plus, it makes their photos that much more unique.

You guys, THANK YOU, for allowing me to be a part of your engagement and wedding.  And thank you to your incredible family and friends for welcoming me and Kim (my wonderful second shooter!) with open arms.  We loved every minute spent with all of you.  I hope Hawaii is treating you well and that you soak up some extra sun for me too!

God has gifted Jackie with all kinds of creativity… including photography, baking, and calligraphy to name a few.
She hand wrote all of the signs for their reception!

I’ve never been so thankful for all of the covered walkways at Grace as I was on this day.

Y’all, this little guy was SUCH a cutie!!

I seriously love these girls.  And the one on the far left?  She is a dear friend and a former Sabrina Bride too!

Jackie… I LOVE this portrait of you!!

I have vivid memories of being in this same hallway in my own wedding dress :-)

So thankful for the box of umbrellas that I’ve had for ages!

You guys… walking in downtown in the rain was completely worth it.  Thank you for trusting me!!

This is Jason’s dad’s Corvette… which these two left in at the end of their reception!

We discovered the rain had STOPPED when it was time for their rooftop portraits!!

We took a few minutes by the piano and this… this is a new favorite photo!

Legacy is a big deal.  Especially on a wedding day because it’s when a new family is created and a new legacy begins.  This photo encapsulates legacy.  Do you see the older gentleman sitting in the front?  He’s surrounded by his 18 grandchildren, his great-grandchild (with another on the way) and two grandsons-in-law.  What an incredible legacy to have captured in a photo!

So many thanks to all of the incredible vendors, friends, and family who made this day possible for Jackie + Jason!

Ceremony | Grace Church Downtown
Reception | The Westin Poinsett
Wedding Dress | David’s Bridal
Bridesmaids dresses |  Amazon
Groomsmen’s Suits | Men’s Warehouse
Wedding Director | Leigh Allison Kelley
Reception Director | Chelsea McCray
Hair Artist | Liz Hamacher
Makeup Artist | Amberly Peschel
Florals | Costco
DJ | Uptown Entertainment
Officient | Scott Mozingo
Ceremony Musician | Brian Darnell
Wedding Invitations | Shine Invitations
Wedding Cake | Shannon at Lowe’s Foods
Catering | The Westin Poinsett

To view more weddings, be sure to click HERE.