Pride Month LGBTQ Wedding at Hazelnut Farm

Ever since Will & Nate's Buffalo Trace engagement session, I have been counting down the days until their wedding. When I asked them what they were looking forward to and what inspired them when planning they said, "Our venue is a barn meets ballroom feel so we tried to focus on an upscale Kentucky vibe. Looking forward to everything coming together and having a relaxed evening celebrating."

Their wedding was only the second at Hazelnut Farm— a new venue that was designed with the help of the ladies over at Honeycomb Wedding Planners. I was freaking out about the gorgeous blue velvet couch in one of the getting-ready rooms when Nate let me know that he and Will helped pick it out...which made total sense because it was the perfect backdrop for all their little details. They both wore rainbow socks that complimented each other's but didn't match — same with their boutonnières. All their details were perfect— Will's shoes and belt were both vintage, he carried a handkerchief that was his father's, and the pin her wore over his boutonnière was a family heirloom as well. Nate wore an intricately patterned loafer as well as a floral patterned tie & pocket square.

It made me so happy to see that the venue had two quality getting-ready rooms— so often the heteronormative attitudes that run rampant the wedding industry mean one "bridal suite" that is big and beautiful and one "man cave" type tiny hideaway room. Regardless if a wedding is LGBTQ or not, everyone deserves to get ready and spend time in a nice room before their wedding. You can learn more about Hazelnut Farm on my comprehensive list of the best wedding venues in Louisville here.

During the wedding ceremony, family members gave a couple of readings, and in-lieu of a sand ceremony they did a bourbon bottling ceremony...which might be my new favorite thing. One of their best friends officiated, which made it really personal and sweet. Speaking of friends helping out, at the reception each table had beautifully handwritten table numbers made by my best friend (and one of their best friends!) Michelle Marie Calligraphy who is as kind as she is talented. I loved that their good friend Denizen used actual potted plants in addition to florals on the table— bird's nest ferns are always my favorites (mainly because I struggle growing them myself.) There were also tiny little succulent babies at each seat that each guest was able to take home. They ended up having an extra one that is now living in my kitchen and it makes me smile every time I see it.

I didn't cry until the first dance— it was "Here I AM" by Dolly Parton & Sia. Something about Dolly always hits me right in the heart and I hadn't heard this one before. During the mother-son dances, Nate cut in and danced with Will's mother at the very end and it gave me all the feels. The night ended with glow sticks, light-up jewelry, dancing on chairs, and White Castles so you know it was a good time. Now that I've written a novel, shall we hop to the vendor credits & the images?

Venue: Hazelnut Farm // Coordinator: Melissa Montgomery with Honeycomb Wedding Planners // Calligraphy: Michelle Marie Calligraphy // Florist: Denizen // DJ: Triangle Talent // Caterer: Masterson's // Wedding Party Attire: David's Bridal // Tarts: Scarlet's Bakery // Invitation Suite: Minted // Wedding Party Makeup: J.R's Spa & Salon

Romantic & Modern Historic Wedding at Kentucky's Ashford Acres Inn

During Annastasia and Taylor's engagement session, a summer thunderstorm rolled through almost as soon as we started. We hid out under a pavilion for a few minutes, but once it was clear that it wasn't going to stop raining anytime soon, they spent the rest of the evening dancing and laughing together in the downpour. You can tell how adventurous, joyful, and resilient they are in those images and it resulted in some of the best photos I've ever taken. If there is one thing I've learned over the years, it's that you can tell so much about a couple by how they respond to difficult or unplanned situations and these two are clearly amazing together. Since the day, I have been counting down the days until their wedding!

Annastasia is the event planner and inn manager at Ashford Acres, so their wedding venue was especially significant to them. My jaw dropped when I first got there - I still can't believe how well the venue balances historic southern charm with modern elegance. They made wonderful use of the space as well. They got ready in the main house, had their ceremony in the corner green space, the cocktail hour was held in the yard where they provided lawn games, then guests made their way into the modern barn for the reception. There were so many thoughtful details throughout the day— including a bourbon tasting bar, a cozy sitting space on the barn veranda, and a spread of desserts that included bundt cakes, cupcakes, and bourbon balls. I especially love how they created a dramatically long head table using wooden farmhouse tables surrounded by rounds with two different colors of tablecloths in the dining area. That, combined with the handwritten place cards, made each seat feel special and unique. All in all, the day highlighted all the best parts of Kentucky in the sweetest and most thoughtful ways.

The most difficult part of the day for me was narrowing down where to take couple's photos— every corner was stunning and I could have spent half the day running around with just the two of them in that gorgeous space. However, it's really important to me that my couples spend most of their wedding day celebrating with their friends and family— not posing for endless photos. My primary goal is always to document the day as it unfolds. All those candid interactions are the memories that mean the most in the long run. I am so in love with how everything turned out and am really excited to share some of those images with you all! If you're looking for more Kentucky wedding goodness, this colorful stunner from last year and this romantic fall wedding both highlight Kentucky in the sweetest ways.

Coordinators: Hope Mullikin, Haley Carr, & Whitney Blue // DJ: Travis McGuire with Elite Events DJ // Florals: Hal's Flowers / Catering: Ashford Acres Inn & Food Truck // Venue: Ashford Acres Inn // Videography: Happy Camper Films // Dress: Twirl Boutique // Hair: Maddie Woff // Makeup: Hanna Barnett // Tux: Men's Warehouse // Cake: The Simple Kitchen // Desserts: Nothing Bundt Cakes // Furniture Rentals: Canvas Event Furniture and Oasis Productions // Ice Cream: Crank and Boom // Jumpsuit: Francesca’s // Rings: Jared’s

Adventurous Hiking Engagement Session

For Jess & Jared's engagement session we did a hike that I first discovered with my spouse. As soon as we climbed down into the ravine I was blown away by the tiny waterfalls, the moss-covered rocks, and all of the ferns and vegetation. It felt like we had been transported to our very own Fern Gully. Since then, I have been back more times than I can count to watch the light and figure out how I wanted to photograph it. It's a really tricky environment and admittedly I'm still confused and excited about how the light comes in. Since the walls of the ravine are so steep, the sun only peeks through between eleven and three...notably the "worst times" to shoot. But we all know that "worst time" just means "most challenging" time and that there is no bad light. The last time I visited to location scout I put up a hammock and watched how the sun moved across the space for a couple of hours— then I finalized the timing with these two. I absolutely love how their images turned out. I'm excited to get back out there again in the late summer or early fall - now that the leaves have come in on all the trees the light gets even more complicated because everything has a bit of a green tint and the shadows in some areas get a little muddy. I can't wait to crack that code.

Anyway, enough of me fangirling over complicated light. I just like a challenge! Jess & Jared were so much fun to adventure with. I love when couples are down to get a little messy and explore amazing (& harder to reach) places with me. It's also really fun to get the chance to talk as we hike a trail together. The whole thing has me so excited for their fall wedding!!

Check out Rebekah & Andrea’s adventurous couple session or Jenn & Tyler’s epic Iceland engagement if you’re looking for more natural wonder in your life.