Emma & Philip

One of my favorite things about their day was how much thought they put into every detail. From handmade pieces throughout the ceremony to sentimental gifts exchanged with family, every part of their wedding had meaning behind it. It was a mix of southern charm, a little bit of hippy whimsy, and a whole lot of love.

Emma and her girls got ready in one of the private cabins at Cedar Springs at Bone Hollow while Philip and his guys relaxed in their own cabin on the opposite side of the property. I loved that they were able to have their own separate spaces to enjoy the morning before the day really began. Emma looked stunning in her dress from The Dress Theory Nashville, with hair and makeup by High Maintenance Society, a bridal look suited to her outdoor, romantic wedding day.

Emma had three first looks throughout the morning. We started with a dress reveal for her bridesmaids, and their reactions were everything. Next, she shared a first look with her dad and two brothers, which was a sweet and emotional moment. Then, of course, came the first look with Philip. After waiting all morning to see each other, it meant a lot to watch them finally have that moment together.

After the first looks, Emma and her mom exchanged gifts, and this was one of my favorite parts of the day. Emma gifted her mom a custom painting of the two of them wearing their wedding dresses, and her mom gave Emma a beautiful pearl necklace that she wore for the rest of the day. Her mom also had gifts for Philip, including a custom duck call engraved with their wedding date, which was such a thoughtful and personal gift.

After their gift exchange, Emma and Philip shared private vows together. They chose to read them away from their guests, allowing them to have a quiet moment just for the two of them. We photographed this from a distance so they could truly be present with each other while still preserving those memories. It was such a meaningful part of their day.

Emma also made the decision to do a bridal session before the wedding, and I think it helped her enjoy her wedding day even more. Because we had already captured so many bridal portraits beforehand, she didn’t feel rushed and was able to spend more time soaking in every moment with Philip and her family.

When it was time for the ceremony, Emma walked down the aisle barefoot, and honestly, it could not have fit her better. She is such a free spirit and a true country girl at heart, and that little detail felt so authentically her.

The ceremony space at Cedar Springs at Bone Hollow was beautiful, and the florals from Poppy & Pine created a romantic, garden feel throughout it.

One of my favorite details was the ceremony centerpiece at the end of the aisle that Emma and Philip made themselves. The stained-glass look was actually created using a shower curtain, which says a lot about how creative and intentional they were with their wedding design. They also built their own seating chart, adding another personal touch to the day.

After the ceremony, guests enjoyed a beautiful reception with food from Butcher & Bounty, drinks from Touch of Perfect Events, and music from DJ Connection. The whole evening felt like a celebration of Emma and Philip, surrounded by all of the people they love most.

The reception design was such a fun reflection of their personalities. It had the same mix of southern charm and hippy whimsy, with details like horse head statues, disco balls, and other unusual touches throughout the space. Nothing felt overly traditional or forced. It felt like them. And then came the dance floor. Emma was absolutely the life of the party. When “Dancing Queen” came on, she immediately lit up. In the middle of dancing, she lifted her dress to show me a tattoo on her upper thigh that said “Dancing Queen,” and it was one of those moments that perfectly captured her personality. It was fun, unexpected, and such an Emma moment.

From the handmade details to the sentimental gifts, the barefoot walk down the aisle, and the dance floor, Emma and Philip’s wedding day was filled with creativity and love. It was an honor to document a day that felt so completely them.