Katie & Asti – Emory Hotel and Conference Center Wedding Day. March 2023

Katie and Asti’s wedding day was one that will always hold a very special place in my heart. For starters Asti is an old friend from my college years when I worked at summer camp. We became close friends, but as camp and college ended we lost touch. That was until summer of 2022 when I gave Asti a call about something completely unrelated to photography. In that call he shared with me that he recently proposed to Katie and needed some engagement photos done! I hopped on the opportunity and we met up at a parking deck in Atlanta where I met Katie for the first time. The spark and joy they share is unforgettable. We had a blast taking photos with the two of them and their puppy Georgia. At the end of their session Katie said “Okay, I want YOU to capture our wedding. Whatever your most coverage is, put us down for March 3rd, 2023!”

The Morning

Their wedding was absolutely INCREDIBLE. They shared many many intentional moments together and with their families. To begin they started their day getting ready at The Emory Conference Center and Hotel with their best friends and family. To this day Katie’s getting ready photos are filled with the most joyful anticipation I have yet to experience.

Katie and Asti both met the the Candler School of Theology at Emory University, so for their first look we moved from the hotel to Cannon Chapel at their theology school. As we arrived I walked into the chapel where Asti was waiting for his bride. He sat with his back to the chapel doors. I approached him to see is he was ready and he sat in prayer with a tear rolling down his cheek. He told me that they have shared so many special moments together in the chapel and he was so ready to see her for the first time on their wedding day. Katie came off the elevator tears of anticipation already welling up in her eyes. As her bridesmaids set her train and veil, another helped her dry her tears before she saw him for the first time. She slowly approached the back of the chair he was sitting in and put her hand on his shoulder. Asti didn’t immediately stand to see his bride, instead they took the moment to pray, and embrace one another. As their prayer ended Asti stood and his face lit up with the brightest smile and Katie’s face softened knowing that she can finally rest from the anxious nerves knowing that she is now with the person whom she is safest with. They both sat and began to wash each other’s feet as to symbolize unending service to one another throughout their marriage as Christ did for his disciples at the last supper.

The Wedding Party

After their first look we took their Wedding party photos on and extremely windy Quad at Emory University. The old Academic buildings gave their photos a European feel, even though we were in the city of Atlanta. Katie also had a first look with the groomsmen right before their photos. Their reactions were priceless!

The Wedding Ceremony at Silverbell Pavilion

We made our way back to Emory Hotel and Conference center to have their ceremony at the Silverbell Pavilion. Their wedding ceremony was originally meant to take place outside in the gardens at Emory, but a Tornado watch made us change plans. Their guests sat around their round reception table and faced the grounded flower arch created by the incredible Morning Glory Floral Design. During their ceremony they had many intentional moments planned for their officiants. Because of their connection with the United Methodist Church they had 4 ministers one of which was Asti’s father. During their ceremony Katie and Asti continued with the intentionality theme. They read their own vows, had a baptism remembrance, and served communion to their guests as their first act as husband and wife. It was truly an incredibly moving ceremony.

Couples Portraits at Emory Hotel and Conference Center

Because of the rain and thunderstorms we has very little time to get their couples photos in so we improvised! We went out on the balcony and took some blue hour portraits with flash and they turned out incredible and incredibly unique! I can guarantee that their portraits are truly one of a kind! We even got some sultry elevator photos that will forever take up space in my mind!

Katie and Asti’s Reception at The Silverbell Pavilion.

Man, this reception was one that will go down in my history books for weddings! Katie and Asti thought of everything. From the surprise father daughter mashup dance to the shrimp and grits bar, it was INCREDIBLE. As I was editing their images I would find myself grinning from ear to ear because of how the photos brought me right back to the moment of their wedding and how it felt to be there. They even ended the night by jumping in the pool at their hotel with their friends! This was a once in a lifetime wedding and It was an honor to be able to capture them memories to look back on for the rest of their lives!