ART + JOANNE
GOODRICH HEIGHTS | WAVERLY, TN
I am so excited to be blogging this wedding! It is my favorite wedding to date! Joanne and Art are the sweetest couple and so clearly in love that they had me tearing up during their wedding. I arrived at Goodrich Heights, a private family farm, to the hustle and bustle of last minute wedding preparations. Art was in the family home with friends and family preparing for the big day. I found Joanne in the guest cottage getting pampered and relaxing with her ladies.
If I could describe Joanne’s mood that day in one word, I would have to say calm. She was the picture of relaxed and calm on her big day. As I talked to her about how beautiful the ceremony and reception location looked I could see how ready she was to be married to the love of her life. She even said to me that she was sure the decorations were beautiful but that today was just about a girl marrying a guy. I couldn’t have said it better myself. At the end of the day, when the vows are said, the cake is cut and the food is eaten, what you will have left of your big day is your photos, the memories those bring you and your new spouse. Joanne was so excited to marry Art.
After a brief hitch with Joanne’s dress, her girls were able to get her zipped up and ready to walk down that sacred aisle. What happened next is one of my favorite moments of their day and there was not a dry eye in the guest cottage including my own. When I met with Joanne and Art to walk through their venue and their big day I met HeyDad, a beloved family member. We were actually on his farm and it certainly is gorgeous! I was told that Joanne had to have photos with HeyDad in his overalls. It was very important to her. I added it to my list and got super excited for how fun their wedding day was going to be. Before I left Judy, Art’s cousin and wedding planner, told me the real plan! HeyDad was going to show up in his military uniform. The one he married his late wife in. It was going to be a huge deal! Cue my MEGA excitement!
So fast forward to the big day! Joanne had just gotten into her dress. Her brother and HeyDad came in the door of the guest cottage and HeyDad pulled off his bath rob. Cue the tears! Joanne balled and everyone in the room did too. I couldn’t even keep myself from crying. It was a BEAUTIFUL moment.
Ceremony time! One of my favorite parts of the day. I love the heartfelt vows and the loving faces as they watch two people become one! Holy firecrackers was this ceremony emotional! In fact the whole day was! During their ceremony, Art sang John Legend’s, “All of Me”, to his bride. It was the most beautiful gesture I have ever seen at a wedding and the excitement on their faces when they were pronounced man and wife was AMAZING!
And the rest is history! After the family photos and the adorable couple photos I got of the two of them there was only one thing left to do….CELEBRATE! I had so much fun hanging out and partying with Joanne, Art and all of their friends and family. They really know how to party! Don’t take my word for it though. There are no words to truly describe the love these two have for each other, the love that their friends and family have for them and the fun that was the day they became man and wife.
“You have a very special and unique way of capturing our grins, smirks, and twinkles in the eyes. It was no doubt due to how relaxed you made us feel so that we could enjoy the day just being ourselves and celebrating the fun and joy of getting married.
Art and I really enjoyed going through each photo. Your pictures let us relive our very special day, and we laughed sharing stories triggered by pictures.”
WEDDING VENDORS: Venue: Goodrich Heights | Bridal Gown: Anthropologie | Suit: Men’s Warehouse | Planner: Judy Rice | Cake: Publix | Catering: Corner Catering | DJ: The Big Day DJ and Event Planning | Lead Photographer: Liz Courtney Photography | 2nd Photographer: Amber Woolson Photography
