Gosh, this was just one of my favorite weddings last spring! Katherine and Milton have such a tender love for each other, and it shone through every bit of their wedding day! I've known Milton since college, and when he asked me to photograph his Athens, Georgia wedding, I immediately said YES!! The University of Georgia alumnus heart in me is always down to go back to my alma mater, especially for a UGA Catholic Center wedding, a place where I spent so much of my time in college and met the love of my life!


Katherine and Milton met through a dating app, and Katherine said their first date was the best date she'd ever been on in her life! Milton proposed by the Boston Harbor, after not-so-sneakily setting up his camera on a nearby window sill "to take a picture", which Katherine said was all the proof she needed to know that it was THE moment. I photographed their Athens engagement session last fall, and knew that this day was going to be a good one based on how sweet and loving they were together.


We started the day in a beautiful Airbnb right outside the downtown Athens area with the ladies! Katherine's lovely mom shared some sweet moments with her and helped her get into her gorgeous and classic Charme Bridal dress. After the sweetest first look with the gals, we headed over to the UGA Botanical Gardens Conservatory for bridal party photos. Milton and his groomsmen got ready at the Catholic Center and shared some bourbon shots outside prior to the Mass - a classy touch and a fun "last single drink" moment!



One of the best parts of this day was the bride & groom's first touch moment, which they shared in lieu of a first look. Katherine is a music therapist and wrote a BEAUTIFUL song for her groom, which she shared with him before they prayed together. Many tears were shed all around! Their ceremony Mass was bilingual, a nod to Milton's Latin background. They shared a prayer at the statue of the Holy Family after Communion instead of doing the flowers to Mary tradition.


I really appreciated how much they trusted me with lighting and location decisions during our planning process! I recommended during one of our meetings that we opt out of doing any family portraits at the Catholic Center altar, since I knew it had very odd and unflattering lighting. Katherine and Milton were totally onboard with my recommendation, and we instead got some stunning family portraits at the cocktail hour of the reception at the gardens! Totally worth it honestly.


Their State Botanical Garden of Georgia Conservatory reception was a fun one, and the Conservatory provided the most beautiful background and decor itself! Katherine kept her table arrangements and other decor simple in order to not distract from the natural beauty. We also had some fun in the garden with some sunset portraits, which were STUNNING and just a testament to why every bride and groom should ask their wedding photographer for them!! We ended the night with a private last dance and a bubble exit, the perfect way to end the night!! Congratulations to the happy couple!


Vendors:

Dress & Veil: Charme Bridal and Prom || Shoes: Kailee P || Makeup: Makeup by Sarah Mitchell || Bridesmaids: Azazie

Catering: Renee Hunt || Cake: Publix || DJ: DJ Cuttlefish || Venue(s): UGA Catholic Center & State Botanical Garden of Georgia || Florist: Sister of the Bride || Invitations: Zazzle || Photography: Nicole Sandercock Photography