One of my clients  friend’s husband had passed away in a car accident. A young family with young children. I have been terribly upset. I originally met them in February but Mom had scheduled another appointment to get the entire family images made in March.

Tonight I got this text message from her:

I need you to know the pictures you took of our family in March are one of my only comforts right now.

It breaks my heart.  I urge you, even if it is not a professional photographer, to take pictures of your family. Do not wait for the perfect hair day or to lose those extra 5 lbs.  They do not have to be perfect images.  We all have cell phones, cameras, all kinds of technology that we can document our time here. Do not be the one holding the camera all the time. Pass it off! I preach this in my one on one classes. We are only given a short time here to share with each other. Make it worthwhile and memorable.

Please take a minute a pray for a family you may not even know that is grieving the loss of their husband and father and even their extended family that need comfort in this time. 

Mike and Cheryl had the quaint and beautiful setting of Green Frog Village for their wedding. Oh my goodness! From the little church to the heart shaped laked in the back it was a beautiful place! Alot of the spring trees were in bloom and it could not have been more perfect weather. I dont know about everyone else but my jaw dropped when I heard Mike sing to Cheryl at the alter. I SOOOO wish I had a recording of the song her wrote and sang to her it was beautiful. Btw one of his songs is currently #2 in Europe. HELLO I shot a recording artist wedding! How bout them apples?

Stephani and I had an absolute blast at Mac and Jordan’s wedding at Heartwood Hall.  This place was breathtaking and from a photographer’s eye it was heaven!

We arrived before the wedding party to stake out the place and we just kept saying ooohhh and ahhhh every time we turned around.  Trying to move the furniture around in the rooms for shots of the bride was like moving a car too! You know why? Because that stuff was real! It wasn’t Pier One dooeys it was the real deal.  The detail and the time the owners of the property put into this historical site is amazing. AND the weather, the weather, the weather could not have been more perfect for an outdoor wedding in the Four Seasons Garden. 

And lets not forget the party afterwards! The food, the dancing, the toasts and the way the bride kept looking at the groom made me smile. 

Thank you so much Mac and Jordan for choosing brandy kemp Photography to be a part of this special day in your life.  We wish you many many many years of health and happiness.

Bride’s Hair * Cindel Oakley with Cutting Co Salon in Milan, TN

Florist * CJ Lilly and Company -Collierville, TN

Ceremony * Heartwood Hall – The Four Seasons Garden

Reception * Heartwood Hall – The Barn

Music * Harp and Keyboard by Eryn Jones – Knoxville, TN

Cake * Oh My Ganache - Collierville, TN

Bride’s Dress * Allure Bridal from Unique Bridal in Bartlett, TN

Bridesmaid’s Dresses * Each bridesmaid picked out their own short black dress

Groomsmen * Each groomsmen wore their own black suit with different patterned black and white ties

Favorite moment of the day * Getting the car and realizing that the day could have not been more perfect.

Favorite detail *   The mini “Big Mac Burgers” and “Small Fry Shooters”

Advice to any future brides out there * Enjoy every moment

Honeymoon Location * Venice, Florence and Rome, Italy

John Nicholas was born on March 19, 1999. He was diagnosed the morning after he was born with Transposition of the Great Arteries. He had his first heart catheterization when he was 4 days old. His first open heart surgery followed when he was 6 days old. Complications from his first surgery led to a second open heart surgery when he was 6 months old. He was followed closely over the next few years, but a third open heart surgery was necessary when he was 4 years old to give him a new pulmonary valve. John Nicholas did well initially, but in time this valve failed and he also developed an aneurysm in his heart. His parents were told surgery to try to correct this would likely kill him so they waited. When they could wait no longer they met with a new surgeon hoping he could help. In June 2010, John Nicholas received the incredible gift of a donated pulmonary artery and valve. The family will be forever grateful to the family who gave this gift.

Please pray for Brittany Kail and her family. She is 26 and has been diagnosed with breast cancer. She started her chemo treatments last week and wanted to do something fun with the kids. She decided to let them shave her head and right behind her was her Mom and Mother in Law. They are such a supportive and precious family. I went home and hugged mine a little tighter after this session. Please keep her husband, Jeremy, her 2 small kids, Jonathan (5), and Katie (4), as well as the rest of her family and friends in your prayers.