Jessica and Paul are living in California but came home to have their ceremony in their hometown of Santa Rosa Beach.  We were excited when she shared her vision of a candle lit ceremony on the edge of the bay.  Samantha Jackson did an outstanding job planning the wedding at Bentley’s on the Bay.   Thanks to Nouveau Flowers who made Jessica’s vision a reality.

Jessica looked elegant in her floor length veil which was very appropriate for her candle lit evening wedding.

Paul looked extremely handsome in his Hugo Boss suit.

We were excited when these local guys wanted a day after session with a “gorilla influence” as Paul put it.   We took them into the streets and alleyways.

Comments: 4    leave a comment

  1. Wonderful photographs! So beautiful and inspiring!

  2. They turned out beautiful! Good job as always!

  3. Wow, Paul. These photos are just amazing. You outdid yourself this time. I LOVE everything!! Great job (and great job to Samantha too!)

  4. Beautiful!

Fellow photographer and now friend,  Kyle Gregory was married to Laura at the beautiful and historic Carnton Plantation in Franklin TN.   The plantation’s history dates back to 1864 when the McGavock’s used their home as a hospital for wounded soldiers.  It’s magnificent garden and one hundred and fifty year old orange tree are whimsical.

Kyle,  his father and friends enjoyed the local pub’s darts and pool before the ceremony.

Laura,  her bridesmaids and her five flower girls were lovely.  We enjoyed exploring the plantation before the ceremony.

THE. COOLEST. GROOMS CAKEEVER.

Comments: 7    leave a comment

  1. Wow, beautiful work as always Paul!! I also LOVE that groom’s cake! So original!! What a beautiful location this was – I know the bride and groom will cherish these moments you captured for years to come!

  2. It has been well worth the wait to see some of the pictures!! So anxious to view the rest. You and your sweet wife captured the day, even in the sweltering heat and rain storms.

  3. Glad that we can now call you and Mecheal friends! Thank you for coming to photograph one of the biggest days in our lives. We are glad you two could be a part of it with us. YOU GUYS ROCK!

  4. WOW…all I can say is WOW I can’t wait to see the rest of the pics

  5. Thank you, Kyle! It was a blessing to be a part of this most important day of your lives.

  6. These are lovely ya’ll, it looks like it was a fun wedding!

  7. y’all this is AWESOME!

Erin and Jason’s friends and family came to our coast from Illinois to have their ceremony on our beautiful beaches and an intimate reception in a gorgeous beachfront home in the community of Seaside.  Townsend catered the reception with a couple of very interesting elements.  First,  Erin’s Grandma Millie’s creamy tropical punch was served with hors d’oeuvres and then Erin’s father grilled the best fillets I have ever tasted! It was a real treat for everyone.  The family was so sweet,  thank you everyone for making us a part of this memorable day.

Erin’s sister was her maid of honor.  The bridesmaids wore lovely dresses from Anthropologie.  Erin had sashes made from the same fabric used to line the reception tables.  The colors worked very well.

Comments: 6    leave a comment

  1. The bee picture is incredible. At first it looked like there was something on the sensor but the expressions gave it away.

  2. Awesome pictures. I really wish I could have been there to join in Jason and Erin’s wedding! Love the photo of them walking down the street with the people on the bikes framing them!

  3. Wow – breathtaking and beautiful – Thank you so much for sharing. Blessings for both Erin and Jason and many many years of happiness.

  4. SUPER photos Erin and Jason…what a fun, beautiful wedding!! Can’t wait to see some more.

  5. HOW FUN. bee one and last one my faves!

  6. Wow guys, that last picture is great!

It’s been too long since Paul and I have shared imagery from our sessions taking place here in Rosemary Beach.  Here are just a few!

Comments: 1    leave a comment

  1. As always, you guys are the best! Love them all.

Dawn’s wedding gown fit perfectly into her garden wedding theme.  The gown she wore came directly from her mother’s closet.

The flower girl laced the aisle with fresh lavender.  The breeze on the beach carried the scent very well.

All day I caught Josh gazing at Dawn.  He was a very sweet romantic guy who was involved in all of the planning process.

Comments: 9    leave a comment

  1. Gorgeous photos, as always!

  2. Beauteous! :) I especially love the ceremony shots.

  3. Ethereal!! Gorgeous work. Who is the designer of the bride’s dress by the way?!

  4. Magnificant pictures! Reliving the wedding all over again & again & again. Tears of joy . . . .
    Love to you both ~

  5. Love them they really capture the wonderful day, and I was there

  6. Your images in this wedding are fantastic. Beautiful exposures & lighting! Love the composition in the horizontal portrait of the bride. Beautiful work : )

  7. Thank you all for the sweet comments! Our wedding day was absolutely perfect, couldn’t take the smile off my face. Like my cousin said during the ceremony “I thought this only happens in movies”. My gown was my mothers, it’s 26 years old and it was in wonderful condition, with help from a friend we redesigned the top portion by using the original lace and pearls, everything else was kept the same. We do not recall who the first designer was since its been so long. A big Thank You to Paul & Mecheal for capturing every moment of true happiness!

  8. Dawn – that makes the dress even more desirable! Hint hint to current gown designers – that should be the new “IN”! I love the detail and every detail your gorgeous moments captured. Paul + Mecheal’s perfected style totally compliments the vision. Kudos to the team. The couple. And your new life!

  9. Wow! Love these shots, it was a joy to work with this really sweet couple! Romance was in the air. I will always remember the look on her Dad’s face when he saw Dawn wearing the dress her Mom wore when they were married more then 25 years ago. Other then a few minor alterations,to make the dress strapless it looked beautiful, modern and romantic. Perfect for the beach..

Family,  friends,  good food and wine!   Johanna and Steve had a perfect wedding flawlessly planned by Victoria at Carillon Weddings.   Paul and I thoroughly enjoyed being with everyone and especially meeting up with the newlyweds for a day after session.  Thank you guys for giving us the amazing opportunity to photograph your perfect day.

I love Johanna’s smile,  she lit up the whole day!

The ceremony was very sweet and I thought the curtain theme at the alter was very creative.

Each table had a specialty wine with the table number draped on the neck.  On another table were corks with seat assignments.

I love it when the bride can slip off her shoes and eat the fabulous meal she and her groom treated her guests to.

The Day After Session took place just down the road at Alys Beach.  This is a great way to create more beautiful relaxed imagery.

Comments: 6    leave a comment

  1. Paul & Mecheal…these are so amazing and we can not wait to see the rest. We had the best time working with you both, you made our day extra special! Thank You!

  2. I have been looking over your blog and just wanted to say that you do beautiful work. The bride is beautiful and I was wondering who did her hair and makeup? Not sure if you have that info, but if you do I would love to know.

  3. Casie…Thank you so much! I had my hair and makeup done by Two Fishes Artistry. Renee does the makeup and she is amazing and such a sweet person. Christina was the one that did our hair, she can be requested through Renee. She is also super sweet and does a great job! The best part is they come to you =) Best of Luck to you

  4. I know I sound like a broken record you guys but these are amazing. :)

  5. Thank you, Johanna! You and Steve are very blessed and we look forward to seeing you both again soon!

  6. Incredible session! Great shot of the bride eating. Such a real moment captured with incredible style!

Where to begin,  I wrote Mary Katherine earlier in the week to ask her for more information on a few details I picked up on during our wedding planning and the day of the wedding.  As I read through what she sent me,  I quickly realized there was so much extraordinary history that there was no way I could include it all.   Paul and I were chosen by Mary Katherine to photograph her wedding at the church where her Great- Grandfather,  David Henry Griffin from Melbourne Australia,  was the pastor for over 35 years beginning in 1927.  He was described as an excellent leader and innovator.  With his help,  money was raised to embellish the church with beautiful stain glassed windows.  Jimmy Jackson,  hired by the Reverend David Henry as a custodian,  rang the church bells “Chiming of the Hour” for every special occasion,  for over 50 years.  Even though he is retired, he was honored to ring the bells one more time for Mary Katherine’s wedding.  Behind the red doors of the stone church,  she stood on the steps where her Great Grandfather changed so many lives.  On those steps her parents dedicated her to the Lord,  she sang vacation bible school songs,  was commissioned to the mission field,   and will now marry Alex.

  • Yesterday Mecheal and I decided to try a new format for our blog post, going for more of a catalog feel. It’s been fun hearing the mixed reviews of this new format. Today we decided to post this beautiful wedding in our (classic) style so everyone can see it in both formats. I think it’s great to try new things, sometimes they work and sometimes not so much. Either way, Mary Katherine and Alex’s wedding was stunning!

A local artist, Charlie Busler sketched the church for Mary Katherine’s invitation and programs. His art was also hanging on the wall in the Merrit House where she dressed for the wedding.

The reception took place at a beautifully restored theatre called Riley Center.

Alex chose the band who played at the reception. Dr. Zarr and the Amazing Funk Monsters rocked the house first in black tie, then in full on 80’s hair band attire. Mary Katherine’s Pop Pop, who is battling cancer right now, was front and center stage having a blast!

This is the catalog style post:

A local artist,  Charlie Busler sketched the church for Mary Katherine’s invitation and programs.  His art was also hanging on the wall in the Merrit House where she dressed for the wedding.

The reception took place at a beautifully restored theatre called Riley Center.

Alex chose the band who played at the reception.   Dr. Zarr and the Amazing Funk Monsters rocked the house first in black tie,  then in full on 80’s hair band attire.  Mary Katherine’s Pop Pop, who is battling cancer right now, was front and center stage having a blast!

Comments: 11    leave a comment

  1. WOW, straight out of the pages of a glossy magazine. These images and the bride are stunning.

  2. Neato couple.

  3. Your thoughts and pictures are wonderful…blending the old with the new…something the family can cherish forever…

  4. I love the new format Paul, it looks beautiful. It’s actually easier to review the images this way in the smaller format. Gorgeous job!

  5. Beautiful story and photography. Love both styles!

  6. Very beautiful photographs as always! I love the original (classic) style better!

  7. everytime i post i find myself thinking “i need to stop posting on paul’s blog so much. he’s going to think i am just kissing his butt. note to self, don’t post for a while.” but it never fails that when i view your latest post, i simply can’t resist. so, in an effort to NOT sound like i’m kissing your butt, i’d like to say “you really outdid yourself with this one.” and i MEAN it.

  8. You could never post too much, Erica. I love that you always say exactly what you think, thank you SO much!

    Mecheal and I are extremely humbled to have such amazing clients and fans. I don’t take a single comment for granted, every one is greatly appreciated.

    Sincerely,
    Paul

  9. What a beautiful location. Always enjoy lookijng at your blog, These images are AWESOME!

  10. absolutely gorgeous, as always….stunning work. LOVE the silhouette in front of the stained glass!

  11. Beautiful event caught in pictures and words. Thank you for sharing!

Tera’s wedding was purely whimsical.  She was beautiful in her gown and grandmother’s earrings.   Paul and I knew the wedding day was going to be lovely when we had the opportunity to photograph their engagement session a couple of months ago.  The whole day came together well with the help of Jennifer with It’s A Shore Thing,  Christina with Nouveau Flowers,  Rhonda of Confections on the Coast,  and Donna and Dave with Townsend Catering.  The peacock feather theme with twinkle light butterflies and strawberry milkshakes were just a few highlights of the reception.  Tera’s beloved Grandfather opened the reception with a touching blessing for the couple.  It could not have been a more perfect night.

Comments: 16    leave a comment

  1. Wow. Epic, Paul. Seriously, incredible imagery!

  2. Wow, the Bowden family, eh? great job!

  3. Stunning images! Some of your best work to date, Paul!

  4. These are just beautiful! And the ceremony location is so unique – I love it! BTW, I think you need to explain the Bobby photo! :-)

  5. truly beautiful images of the event and the bride and groom

  6. these are amazing! john and i can’t wait to see the rest!

  7. Fantastic work Paul!

  8. WOW! I feel like I have this same emotion every time I look at your photos. I get goosebumps and hope that I can afford you when it’s time for my BIG day. I would feel like I was missing something if you weren’t the one photographing the wedding

  9. I think this is my favorite post ever. How beautiful! Great work

  10. What a spectacular place for a wedding! Every picture is beautiful!

  11. These are so beautiful. I loved the ceremony location.

  12. Perfect, you guys. You rocked it… I really like every image!

  13. Insanely beautiful! One of my favorites so far.

  14. Hey, that’s Bobby Bowden! OH MY we love some Bobby! And we LOVEEEEEEEEEEE these images! Amazing job as always yall.
    God Bless, GO NOLES!
    Patsy

  15. Holy smokes! These pics are absolutely breath-taking. Incredible.

  16. Stunning!

Paul Johnson Photography Blog is proudly powered by WordPress
Entries (RSS) and Comments (RSS).