On April 3, 2021 I was so honored to have the chance to photograph Will & Kara Trotter get married at the Ruby Cora.  I have known them for awhile and have gotten so close to them.  In fact in their guest lists and wedding party were former brides I have cried watching have their first dance, people I have known since they were in high school, a makeup artist I always recommend, family and friends.  It was just such a special night!  Will and Kara have been together since 2014 when their paths crossed in high school and youth group at church.  Kara is a wedding planner so I knew she would have connections to some of the very best vendors in the area!  I was right!!  When I arrived at the Ruby Cora Jessica Morris and Kelly Ellis were working furiously with decorating the whole room.

Rachaels Florals was there with just the prettiest flowers!!  Zach Stewart with Z's Creative was setting up his video work and my second shooter, Gina, was soon to arrive.  In the gorgeous bridal suite sat all of the ladies as well as Kara's mama, Becky. You have never seen such calmness in a bridal suite.  Probably because the side table was LOADED with great smelling chicken and fruit!  Bailey Davis was applying makeup for Kara and everyone was laughing and hanging out.  

As usual with weddings, I grabbed the details important to Kara and headed out to photograph them.  Y'all.  ALL THE TEARS.  I appreciated that there were a million little moments important to grab on this day!  Kara's dear friend and bridesmaid is an artist who painted the art work on Kara's shoes, bible verses and various things like "Mrs. Trotter".  The dress was Blush by Hayley Page which Kara purchased from Lavender Park Bridal.  She had the BEST experience with them!! Aren't her shoes stunning?  The flowers were by Rachaels Florals.

Will lost his father some years ago so there were little nods to him throughout the day but my favorite was the simple picture they had on display and the way they used his hat throughout the day to memorialize him, even in their family photos.  I like to think he would have appreciated how much he was a part of their day even though he is no longer with them.

If you are looking for a unique guest book idea, Kara's was awesome! They had quilt pieces cut out and people could write their favorite bible verse on it and Kara's sweet grandmama is going to put the quilt together for Kara and Will!!!  How precious is that?

Probably my favorite unique decor idea was the set up of family photographs from their parents and grandparents on THEIR wedding day!!!  I loved it and probably took about 500 pictures of it.  lol

Meanwhile the guys were getting ready.  The brides father gave Will a stretchy banana and I promise you, that thing was in nearly every picture featuring the guys.  They had fun playing corn hole and messing with my poor second shooter Gina, who gave me lots of surprises with the banana in my images!!  LOL!

Then we put Kara in her dress as her bridesmaids got dressed in another room.  Kara's mama Becky is the sweetest soul.  I loved watching her watch her baby become a bride!  

One of my favorite things to do this year has been a bridesmaid first look.  I love it!  I love the best friends reaction to the new bride and this one did not disappoint!!

After the Bridesmaid first look they helped Kara get her jewelry and veil on!

As the bridesmaids were chilling the couple had their first look then portraits!  Then the bridal party pictures happened and THEN the bridesmaids let Kara hit her Piñata she should have gotten to hit on their weekend getaway!  It was way more fun to do it on wedding day!! 

The we went to family formals and then the ceremony on the hill!  

During the ceremony Kara surprised Will by giving him his fathers ring.  He was so surprised and most people didn't know it was going to happen so I made sure to capture every single moment and face.  He did give it back at the end of the night but it made me so happy to see his joy when she slipped it on his hand. 

After the ceremony they drove off is the prettiest car!!!  The owner came all that way just to let them ride off into the sunset in it!

Soon it was the reception time. The Livery Stables did a fantastic job catering the food.  Everyone devoured the Mac N Cheese!  They also provided the dessert bar which Kara and Will opted for instead of a grooms cake.  The wedding cake was provided by one of Kara's dear friends!  My favorite part of the speeches is when Kara's brother had a song played and all Kara's cousins and dad and grandfather surrounded Will.  It was so fun!!  There were so many laughs and so much fun!!  Once we had the sparkler exit they were out of there!!  Enjoy looking through all of the moments - actually these aren't half of the moments but just some of the fun ones!!  I am so glad I got to be there for this day!

Venue: The Ruby Cora

Photography: Mandy Chadwick Photography

Second Shooter: Gina & Co.

Floral: Rachaels Florals

Video: Zach Stewart, Z's Creative

Catering: The Livery Stables Events Hall

Hair/MUA: Bailey Davis

Dj: Marshall Scott Newberry

Dress: Blush By Hayley Page

Bridal Shop: Lavender Park Bridal

Alterations: The Wedding Gown Tailor