I vividly remember receiving Caroline’s first email. It was 10:00 p.m. on a Tuesday night, and I was watching the Food Network. I laughed immediately at how quickly she bated me with the use of terms like, “bourbon country,” “horse farm,” and “grandparent’s backyard.”  Normally, I would have waited until the next morning to send her a formal response, but felt led to shoot her a quick and witty response from my phone, to tell her that I was in the middle of watching a bacon-themed episode of Chopped, and that her email managed to pull my attention away. I was a little nervous to send such an off-the-cuff response, but she (and Jeremiah, who also loves Chopped….. and bacon) loved it (Jeremiah actually proclaimed that I was his new best friend.)  Immediately, I knew that we were meant to work together and become friends along the way.

And so, this Summer, I took a trip up to Kentucky to photograph a their wedding, which more steeped in family and tradition, than any other I have had the honor to capture. Standing in the backyard of her grandparent’s home, overlooking the same hills she played on as a child and behind the swing she spent hours giggling on, Caroline became Jeremiah’s wife.

Caroline’s grandmother’s garter:

Caroline’s father passed in 2006, but his presence was there in such a special way.  She wore his ring to keep him with her throughout the day. Jeremiah, also keeping family close, wore his grandfather’s watch, dated 11-18-1964.

The couple carved their initials into Caroline’s tree…

Jeremiah’s father is Greek and preformed a beautiful crowning ceremony during the wedding.

Why doesn’t every family sit in grandmother’s antique furniture for their formal portraits?

A month before the wedding,Caroline’s grandfather buried a bottle of bourbon at the alter, upside down. This quirky Southern tradition is supposed to ward off any rain on the couple’s wedding day. An extra perk, the couple gets to dig it up after the ceremony and everyone takes a sip from the bottle. Afterwards, the guests were invited to enjoy a more conventional bourbon tasting.

Thank you Caroline and Jeremiah for welcoming me into your lives and allowing me to capture your very special wedding. Love you both!!