A Year in Review | 2020 Weddings and Engagements
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Have you ever tried to plan a wedding during a global pandemic? Yeah, me either. But almost all of my brides this year had to & what a year it was for weddings. Everything from safely gathered outdoor ceremonies to small intimate backyard affairs. My brides are some of the strongest, most adaptable brides out there. They took the lemons that they were given & made the sweetest lemonade.
I am grateful for every first kiss as husband & wife captured & every first look in the mirror after the bride realizes that “today is finally the day”. But the real MVP of this year of weddings would have to be the hand sanitizer provided at every wedding, “Spread Love, Not COVID.” Seriously, these will be fun stories to share one day.
Thank you, sweet client turned friend, for trusting me with your sweet season of life. Enjoy a snapshot of Deborah Michelle Photography’s 2020 Weddings & Engagements!
Abbie & Jacob | January 4, 2020
Harvest Hollow Venue & Farm Huntsville, Alabama
Oh Abbie & Jacob! 2020 started off with one of the best celebrations Harvest Hollow has ever seen (*not fact, I totally made that up. But it’s probably true). It was unbelievably cold, but you two & your bridal party were troopers. This wedding was held right before masks were worn & everything got tilted on its side. I’ll forever treasure dancing with the two of you on your dance floor. *P.S. Abbie’s “something borrowed” was my very own veil! What a treat to share something so special with one of my dear brides.
Ann-Hayden & Tim | March 14, 2020
Private Home - Lake Martin, Alabama
I met Ann-Hayden at a get-together for wedding vendors years ago, so when she reached out about her upcoming wedding day I was thrilled! I adored their March wedding held at the most beautiful cabin on Lake Martin. Only thirty of their closest friends & family were in attendance. It turned out to be the most relaxing & special day for Ann-Hayden to marry Tim…not to mention the moves that her dad busted out during their Father-Daughter dance!
Sammi & Stuart | June 27, 2020
Robertson Barn Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Sammi & Stuart decided to get married on "the land" where they one day plan on building a home. It's so neat to have one of your first set of memories here be your wedding day. I can see them now, rocking on their front porch years from now reminiscing over their summer wedding with their dearest friends & family. The celebration continued with a reception at the Robertson Barn, dancing & a good time were had!
Brittany & Cooper | July 18, 2020
Hoover-Randle Home & Gardens Birmingham, Alabama
A ring pupper, one timeless bride, first-dance choreographed to “Lover” by Taylor Swift…need I say more about how awesome this wedding was?! Brittany & I immediately bonded over being Cavalier moms & the rest is history. Brittany & Cooper made the tough decision to post-pone their original date & I must say their second date was perfection. Their family & closest friends gathered for an outdoor ceremony as they exchange vows.
Elizabeth & Michael | July 25, 2020
Little Flower Catholic Church Mobile, Alabama
And the gold medal for the MOST adaptable couple getting married during a pandemic goes to these two! Seriously they faced literally anything & everything imaginable leading up to their wedding day. But none of that mattered the moment when she walked down that aisle.
*Huge shout-out to my team for helping pull of this wedding - could not have done it without Elizabeth & Amber.
Kylie & Ricky | August 1, 2020
Three Oaks Farm LaGrange, Georgia
You may recognize Kylie & Ricky from their Auburn proposal earlier this year - catch that blog post here! And let me tell you, Kylie was the dream bride. Her attention to every single detail throughout the entire wedding process was flawless. After all was said & done, I felt like we were the best of friends & I had the best time celebrating the two of them this summer.
Becca & Mikey | October 17, 2020
Jubilee Suites Fairhope, Alabama
As if a global pandemic wasn’t enough to deal with, add a hurricane! Goodness, I remember texting my bride after Sally just to make sure her venue was still standing. Thankfully it did not sustain any damage after the storm, unlike a lot of the Gulf Coast. A few weeks later, Becca & Mikey finally tied the knot during the loveliest ceremony overlooking Mobile Bay. I’ve known Becca for several years & in a way I felt like an honorary bridesmaid as I tagged along all day. Their joy just radiated to everyone who attended this backyard affair.
Amber & Blake | November 14, 2020
Mimosa Ridge Livingston, Alabama
A love story seven years in the making started a new chapter as husband & wife this past November. When choosing a late ceremony start time in the fall, a first look is very much needed. And I am thrilled out how these golden hour portraits turned out. It was truly perfection…added bonus was the sweetest bride, Amber, & her squad!
Chyna & Hampton | November 21, 2020
Steelwood Country Club Loxley, Alabama
Delayed nuptials (#thanksCOVID) turned into the most gorgeous fall wedding for Chyna & Hampton. Initially, we bonded over our love of pups & then become friends during the wedding planning process. The weather was incredible, their family was so hospitable & their joy could not be contained. And I got to be back on the Gulf Coast which was a delight!
Rachel & Stephen | December 12, 2020
Private Home - Birmingham, Alabama
Give me all the twinkle lights in December, a family-only affair & waffles for dinner & I’m there! Unlike most wedding days where I meet the couple beforehand, this was the first time I had met Rachel & Stephen. They always dreamt of a small, intimate wedding ceremony & thanks to COVID they got their wish. They exchanged vows underneath a tent in her parents’ backyard surrounded by their parents, siblings, nieces, nephews & me! I had the best time, despite the few rain showers from the day, & left feeling like one of the family.
Summer & Keith | December 23, 2020
Jefferson County Courthouse - Birmingham, Alabama
“We’re getting married before the end of the year,” is what Summer told her friends after multiple rescheduling attempts. And by golly it happened! She contacted me on a Monday & by Wednesday afternoon they were husband & wife. BTW who knew how stunning the local courthouse was?! Hello gorgeous gold doors! I had the best time celebrating these two, along with their moms, as they officially became Mr. & Mrs.!
I am also incredibly grateful for the chance to second shoot five weddings with 3 of the kindest photographers this year, too!
Nikki with Blue and Blue Photography - Huntsville, AL
Anna with Anna Filly Photography - Montgomery, AL
Elizabeth with Elizabeth Gelineau Photography - Mobile, AL
Engagements
You already know how challenging 2020 was; however, getting to celebrate this engagement season with five of my brides was certainly a highlight! Earlier in the year, I traveled down to Auburn for Kylie & Ricky’s session. Then visited The Farm in Akron for the first time with Amber & Blake. Rebekah & Will met me in Birmingham to explore one of my favorites, Birmingham Botanical Gardens. Then this fall DMP explored Rachel & Colin’s wedding venue, Aldridge Gardens, for their portraits. And wrapping up this year was a park-hopping-adventure with Brooke & Spencer at Railroad Park & Avondale Park both here in Birmingham.
Shout Outs
Special thanks to everyone who helped me out this year. From my second shooters to the bridesmaid turned professional veil-tosser, YOU ROCK! Community over Competition may just be a hashtag & motto on social media, but I truly felt it this year.
Cheers to surviving this year as wedding photographers! I look forward to what the New Year brings us & our dear couples getting married in 2021.
Debby
