Jordan and I actually went to the same high school, but we never knew each other personally. So when she reached out about her wedding at Birmingham Botanical Gardens, it felt like one of those sweet, full-circle moments life throws your way. From her very first message, she told me she was drawn to my editorial-meets-documentary approach: the artful compositions, the emotional storytelling, and the way I quietly guide a day while still letting real, candid moments unfold. She wanted a photographer she could trust completely, who would bring both beauty and honesty to her images while helping her feel totally at ease in front of the camera.

When she described the vision she and Chase had for their celebration, I knew immediately we were the perfect fit. They were dreaming of a day that felt intimate, intentional, and a little like stepping into Europe—full of warm tones, old-world charm, and that effortless luxury. It was about telling a story layered with feeling, connection, and a sense of place. And I was so ready to dive in with them.

Creating Tuscany in Alabama

One of my favorite parts of Jordan and Chase’s day was their decision to rent a VRBO that looked exactly like a little villa tucked away in Tuscany. We’re talking everything you’d expect from an Italian getaway, rich textures, stone details, warm tones, yet somehow sitting just four minutes from my own house in Birmingham. Walking in, I remember thinking how this was about to be magic. And it truly was. The space elevated the entire aesthetic of their wedding weekend and gave us the perfect backdrop for the editorial-level images Jordan had been dreaming of.

Because the villa already felt so luxurious and lived-in, Jordan and Chase’s getting-ready moments moved through the space like they were settling into the day rather than racing through it. They didn’t try to cram their timeline with unnecessary events. There was room to breathe, create, and be present. I had the freedom to step back and observe, then step in when I felt inspired, which is when the most meaningful images always appear. Their son Reed added an extra layer of sweetness to the entire morning, making everything feel even more grounded in love. It truly felt like we had transported ourselves to Italy for the day, and I loved every second of documenting it.

Luxury wedding ceremony at Birmingham Botanical Gardens

An Elegant Wedding Ceremony at Birmingham Botanical Gardens

The ceremony at Birmingham Botanical Gardens felt like stepping into a sacred pocket of the world, surrounded by trees just beginning to bloom with fall color. When Jordan walked down the aisle with her dad, the whole space shifted. Reed looking up at her with so much pride just about melted me.

The vintage getaway car was iconic. We used it not just for their exit but also for sunset vows and portraits, which turned out to be some of my favorite moments of the entire day. The sun had already slipped away, so everything carried this moody, cinematic glow with the streetlights flickering on.

Their reception at The Florentine was full of dancing (shout-out to Jordan’s fabulous second dress and gloves making their grand debut). By the end of the night, streamers were flying, everyone was cheering, and Jordan and Chase sealed it all with one last kiss before driving off into downtown Birmingham.

As I packed up my gear, I just kept thinking, This. This is the kind of wedding I dream of. Intentional, warm, aesthetically aligned with everything I love photographing—and built on so much trust. Jordan and Chase gave me the space to be creative and present, and because of that, I was able to make some of my favorite images to date.

For more like this, see this Lyons Farmette wedding photography on film!