Preserving Tuscaloosa’s Tradition

It was a Crimson Tide weekend in every way, except throw in all the shades of pink! The University Club and First Baptist Tuscaloosa served as the backdrop for Chandler and Sebastian’s spring wedding. This day had deep Tuscaloosa ties, antebellum architecture and so many details rooted in thoughtfulness. 

As a Tuscaloosa native and photographer, I love every chance I get to photograph on campus at Alabama. The club and the church were both built in the 1800s, so it feels like I am preserving history in my community every time I work there. 

Preserving Love Stories

Chandler and Sebastian’s day was no different. Every time I took a photo, I was actively preserving their love story. That’s the beauty and privilege of being a photographer. You step inside someone’s world for a day – meeting family and friends, navigating emotions and dynamics, joining in celebrations and crying happy tears along with them – and capture the most meaningful day of their life. All because one day a long time from now, generations of people will look through these photos and say, “They really were in love, weren’t they?” 

This spring Alabama wedding day began at Chandler’s family lake house, a place where she had made countless memories. Chandler made her most impactful lake house memory that day, though, as she got ready to see her groom. The nerves were calm, the squeals were loud and the giggles were endless as the bride sat in the makeup chair. 

Preserving A Lost Ring

Before the day’s events began, though, the father of the bride had his own idea! His wife had lost her original wedding ring, so on a day that was all about covenant-making, he presented her with a new wedding ring after 30 years married. He even got down on one knee, asking her to spend another 30 with him! Their first look that morning was a beautiful way to start the day as they prepared to give their daughter away that afternoon.

Preserving a Covenant

From beginning to end of that April day, Chandler and Sebastian set out to glorify God, honor their guests, have a lot of fun and make vows before their closest friends. They truly wanted Jesus at the center, which is why they began their ceremony in worship and ended their reception in praise! (No, literally, the song was titled “Praise”!) Their first look flowed into a time of private prayer and it set the tone of the day. I’m sure every wedding vendor and guest saw the joy of the Lord in them! 

Preserving Memories

Once the vows were said, all guests traveled to University Club for a sunset cocktail hour and a reception on the back lawn. It was an unforgettable welcome to the reception space with florals lining the staircase, roses spilling off the cake and hot pink tables dotted around the space. Shelby Knight with The Southern Planner nailed this design! Everyone danced the night away (you can’t keep me away from the dance floor either!) and then sent them out with joy, blessing and a bunch of sparklers!

God really blessed us with perfect weather, a beautiful sunset and so much joy as these two became man and wife. It’s days like these as a wedding photographer that make me so thankful for my job. It’s always about Jesus for me, but when the couple knows it’s all about Jesus, we are a dream team! 

To see some of Chandler and Sebastian’s Tuscaloosa engagement photos, click here! 

We had a phenomenal vendor team for this wedding. If you’re a future bride, hello! Each vendor below served this couple with pride and joy, and you would be a lucky girl to have any of them on your vendor team. If you’d like to chat about me photographing your wedding, please reach out here.

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