Where do I even begin with this wedding? Hailey and Luke had such a perfect spring wedding day – everything just went off without a single hiccup and the final gallery is one of my favorites from the year. That’s not to say that it was more beautiful than my other weddings – I’ve been blessed with so many amazing couples and beautiful weddings this year. What made this day so perfect was that Hailey and Luke not only had a day wedding, which gave us tons of natural light, but they also chose to do a first look. AND their first look was at a private home that had the most beautiful property right on the Teche. So what you see in the post below is only about 1/4 of the portraits we were able to capture of these two! I hope you stick with me – this is a long one!
Hailey and Luke have known each other since they were THREE YEARS OLD. I haven’t seen it, but apparently there is a photo of them playing in mud as toddlers. There was a joke that they should have recreated it for the wedding day! These two families were just the sweetest, most welcoming families ever. After meeting Hailey’s mom and grandmother several months ago to go over some wedding day details and then meeting them all in person a few months later for bridals, I just knew I would enjoy every second with them.
To start off the day, the entire bridal party got ready at an bed and breakfast in Patterson. Nineteen06 and the Sea Shrimp Shanty are part of a property, along with The Patio, that is just the perfect setup for getting ready. You may remember seeing the Sea Shrimp Shanty in the last wedding I posted – it was where Jamie and her girls got ready. For this wedding, Hailey and her girls had the entire Nineteen06, both floors. The bottom floor made the perfect location for not only details but getting Hailey in her dress. I even made a comment while her mom was helping her, that a bright white room with a gorgeous bride and perfect light was just a dream for both myself and her videographers, Moss + Magnolia. Luke and his guys were next door in the Shanty – which also just has the most perfect backdrop and lighting. They were also able to do a few photos in the courtyard that connects the properties but it was just too bright and hot for the girls to do any out there.
The first look happened at a private home on the most beautiful piece of property. We chose this tucked away area surrounded by cypress trees and were able to do a handful of bride and groom photos there. The bridal party and family photos were also done at this property, followed by more bride and groom photos. If you are on the fence about a first look, I encourage you to look through these images. The entire event from first look to the last portrait took about 45 minutes and what you see here is only a fraction of what we were able to capture. And I could have gone on and on with these two – they are just so natural and easy together!
After their ceremony at Sacred Heart in Morgan City, presided over by Father Matt Buening from out of state, their celebration continued at NicoBella for their reception. We did some more photos at the church, including a large extended family photo that Luke wanted because it was the first time his family had all been together in several years, so this was very important to him. Luke and his mom’s dance together was heartwarming – seeing the love and joy in their eyes as they twirled around the dance floor was so special. There were speeches by Hailey’s dad, Jerome, as well as the best man, Michael, and between these two speeches, it just solidified what I’d felt all day about how amazing these two are not only together, but as individual people. They are so loved and admired by everyone around them. After the dances and cake cutting, we were able to sneak out to the Riverfront for a few more portraits before it was time for me to head home. I was worried it would still be too bright outside but I just love how soft and romantic they turned out. Before leaving, I stuck around for an interesting dance with a mop by an uncle as well as a very rousing rendition of Calling Baton Rouge from all of their friends and family.
Hailey and Luke are now off to Washington to start their new life together and I wish them all the best in the world – they deserve that and much more!
THE DETAILS:
Prep: Nineteen 06 and Sea Shrimp Shanty, Patterson
Ceremony: Sacred Heart Church, Morgan City
Reception: NicoBella, Morgan City
Wedding Dress: Sweet Elegance Bridal, Atlanta
Hair and Make-Up: The Haven Salon
Bridesmaids Dresses: Bella Bridesmaids
Florist: Ever Design – Aleta Davis-Dempsey
Invitations: The Jefferson House
Groom’s Attire: Stitch and Tie
Cakes: Kimblas Cakes
DJ: DJ Snoop, Darren Maon
Catering: Cafe JoJo’s
Wedding Planner / Decoration: Elegant Events of the South, Jannine Blanco
Videographer: Moss+Magnolia Media
Second Photographer: Amanda Broussard
