I had the honor of flying down to Memphis, Tennessee to photograph Anna and Michael’s beautiful outdoor wedding at the Bridge at ChrisLeigh Farm. It was the first weekend of spring and the first buds were just beginning to bloom on the trees in Memphis. After our unusually cold and snowy winter, the warm sun and blue skies on their wedding day felt like a blessing from above. Anna and Michael are an amazing couple. After spending just a few minutes with them, it becomes obvious how much they love and respect each other. All day long they both were so joyful and relaxed. Their wedding day was full of happy tears and laughter as 150 of their their friends and family joined them to celebrate their union.
Anna and her friends did their getting ready inside the beautiful and eclectic cabin at the Bridge at ChrisLeigh Farm.
Michael and Anna have fun together! As football is one of their shared interests, they playfully incorporated their favorite football teams into their wedding day attire. One of Anna’s close family friends embellished Anna and the bridesmaids’ shoes with the logos of their football teams. Michael and his groomsmen sported custom made ties featuring the guys’ favorite teams, as well!
One of the most touching moments of Anna and Michaels’ wedding day was their private exchange of vows. Anna and Michael wanted to surprise each other with personal vows on their wedding day. However, as their wedding day approached, they felt that they would rather keep such deep and personal words private. Their solution was beautiful and creative: Anna and Michael privately prepared written vows for each other. Half and hour before their ceremony, they met on either side of a large tree. They passed their written vows to each other without peeking, since they wanted their “first look” to be at the altar. Michael presented his vows to Anna on a beautiful handmade card, and Anna presented her vows to Michael in a custom hardbound book. In the moving moments that followed, I was blessed to capture the couple’s tears and pride as they read each other’s promises of love and commitment.
Anna’s parents, Fred and Taffy, are incredibly fun, kind, and loving. Toward the end of cocktail hour, Fred approached the microphone for what everyone assumed would be a blessing or toast. However, he surprised Taffy and all of their guests by asking Taffy to marry him…again! With the help of Anna, Anna’s brother Freddie, and the minister, he had secretly prepared a vow renewal ceremony! Grinning ear to ear, Taffy said, “Yes!,” and she and Fred wed for a second time right then and there. As the ceremony began, Anna handed Taffy a handmade bouquet embellished with a childhood portrait of Anna and her brother. During the ceremony, Fred presented Taffy with a new diamond ring. Afterward, Taffy and Fred danced to an incredibly soulful and beautiful rendition of Elvis’ “Love Me Tender,” performed live on acoustic guitar by Memphis singer-songwriter Eddie Smith. As the sun dipped closer to the horizon, I felt the warm spring breeze on my skin, looked around at the scene around me, and felt a deep appreciation for Memphis and the people that make it so special.
Congratulations, Michael and Anna!
This beautiful Southern wedding was made possible by these talented people:
Venue: The Bridge at CrisLeigh Farm
Gown and Bridesmaid’s Dresses: Ballew Bridal & Formal Salon
Hair & Makeup: Leslie Mazzaglia
Shoes & Bowties: Janet Mazzaglia-Schwarz
Bouquets: Suzanne Dwight
Cocktail Hour Music: Eddie Smith
Catering: Kevin Baker and Germantown Commissary
Wedding Cakes: Cake Fantasy by James McInelly
I Do Brew: Home brew by Taffy Elchlepp (mother of the bride), the bride, and the groom