Haleigh & Trey’s Stratton Hall & Lookout Mountain Presbyterian Church Wedding

Haleigh and Trey’s wedding at Lookout Mountain Presbyterian and reception at Stratton Hall were simply epic… For the women, the day began at the Sherbak family home. The 17 beautiful bridesmaids and the gorgeous mother of the bride had their hair and makeup done by the fabulous artists from SpaGo and Hairbenders while they talked and laughed and caught up, most of them being high school and college friends. Haleigh took a quiet moment to write a letter to Trey on a card that she’d purchased years earlier for her “Someday Husband” and it was the sweetest thing ever.

The men began their day at Big River shooting pool and having a few beers. They took 5 minutes to get dressed and ready.  Guys are so easy. So. Easy.

Arriving at Lookout Mountain Presbyterian was almost a flashback to 10 years prior when we photographed Haleigh’s sister, Rachel’s, wedding there. This time Rachel & Crawford had two gorgeous daughters in tow. So many familiar faces in the wedding party and in the family seated in the pews and standing up for photos. Spending the day with this amazing family is always a privilege and a wonderful experience. They are all gracious, loving, and kind. The addition of Trey’s family to their family dynamic was a perfect fit.

Haleigh had three incredible first looks – first with her wedding party, then with her husband-to-be- then with her father. Each one beautiful and emotion filled. Every moment all day was just wonderful.

The wedding party of 35 total people was incredible to work with. They made my job easy as they posed beautifully outside the church. The girls, all stunningly gorgeous, and the guys all handsome and polite. We ran through some football plays then prepared for the ceremony 🙂

The ceremony itself was beautiful. Lookout Mountain Presbyterian Church is one of the most gorgeous churches in town. They do have some pretty tight restrictions on photography in order to maintain the sanctity of the ceremony itself, we are always happy to follow them as being intrusive or distracting is never something we want to do during a wedding ceremony. Because we do stay in one spot there and aren’t able to move around I do actually get to listen more to the ceremony. Crawford, Rachel’s husband, Haleigh’s brother in law, performed part of the ceremony and made it so much more personal. My eyes teared up more than once during the service as I listened to them speak about Haleigh & Trey’s love story and how their marriage will be.

As the perfect flower girl, Ruthie, Haleigh’s neice, began to walk down the aisle I giggled a little when she dumped her entire basket of petals on the floor before she made it to the aisle. She, adorably, scooped some of them back up and put them back in her basket and continued down the aisle toward her father (Crawford) where she handed him a petal before continuing to her spot. As I turned back toward the door where Haleigh was entering I actually gasped. I’d spent the entire day with Haleigh, I’d seen her in her dress at her Bridal Session and for several hours before the ceremony, but she was absolutely radiant walking down the aisle with her father. The look of bliss and excitement on her face isn’t something I will soon forget. To know Haleigh is love her, she’s one of the kindest and most thoughtful people I’ve ever known, and to see the look of such deserved happiness on her face was one of those moments that takes your breath away.

Trey stood handsomely at the end of the aisle staring adoringly at his beautiful bride as she walked down the aisle toward him. The ceremony that followed was filled with tears, laughter, beauty, grace, and God. The couple that stood at the end of the aisle that way committed their lives to God and to each other in front of so many family and friends.

Following the ceremony we took family photos, a few more photos of Haleigh and Trey, and headed to the reception at Stratton Hall. Stratton Hall is a gorgeous venue that exudes class. It’s one of the largest in town, which is good, because I’m not sure I’ve seen that many people come out to celebrate a wedding before. Also, Stratton Hall is owned and run by Haleigh and her mother, Jan. It’s actually named after Haleigh, making an even more perfect venue for her reception.

I cant compliment Soundforce and Luma Designs more on the absolutely fantastic job they did draping and lighting Stratton Hall for this reception. When I first laid eyes on it I stood there with my mouth open for several minutes marveling at their amazing ability to create an entirely different look at a venue every time they walk in to it. The White Table chose the perfect linens. Amanda, of Divine Designs and Impressions Catering, did a breathtaking job with the floral arrangements and centerpieces. Impressions Catering set up multiple food stations all over the venue creating the most perfect way to feel so many guests I’ve ever seen. And the food, as always, was incredible.

Haleigh and Trey entered for their first dance, surrounded by people who love them. Everyone was smiling. Everyone was celebrating. The night was beautifully perfect as guests ate incredible food, perused wines at the wine bar, had endless options at the bourbon bar, and danced to the incredible sounds of The Ascension Band out of Atlanta. Before Steve, the father of the bride, delivered his epic toast making everyone in the room laugh and smile and cry just enough, we grabbed Haleigh and Trey for a few of our signature sunset photos (and what an amazing sunset it was!) then we spent the rest of the evening photojournalistically capturing the incredible celebration.

As Trey works for the Atlanta Hawks they gave out some fun swag for the guests, Krystals were delivered, the last dance was accompanied by flutter confetti, and a sparkler exit ended the evening sending this most perfect couple away to begin their life together.

I can’t think of a better celebration, a more perfect couple, more amazing friends and family, or better people to spend the day with. The vendors did the most incredible job working together with the family and with each other to pull off something truly unique and amazing. I am blessed to have captured two weddings for this wonderful family and to get to work with them often at Stratton Hall.

To Haleigh & Trey – I’m typing this teary eyed… You are both incredible, incredible people. You each have a kind heart and a gentle soul. You are giving and bless other people daily with your friendship and your presence. I am so blessed to have you in my life and so thankful you chose me to photograph your wedding. I thank you for your friendship, as do so many other people and I am so overwhelmingly happy that you found each other and that you have the most perfect person to spend your lives with. I see the love and happiness in your eyes every time I’m around you and, looking at your photos, I see it again. I don’t have to wish you a lifetime of happiness because I know that you’ll have one together. Thank you for allowing me in to your lives and letting me capture your love story.

To Jan & Steve – I wish you had more daughters, hah! Getting to know your family over the past decade has been an enormous blessing to me. The relationship you have with your children and grandchildren is beautiful and has been both an inspiration and something I aspire to achieve with my own children. You are incredible as individuals, as parents, as grandparents, and as friends. Thank you for trusting me to capture so many special days in your lives and allowing me in to your home (which you’re still welcome to will to me someday, if you’d like to ;)) and for being who you are. You embody the kind of people we should all strive to be. You’re more special to me than I even know how to express.

To all of the vendors who helped make this day so perfect –

Impressions Catering
Divine Designs by Amanda
Luma Designs
Soundforce
Ascension Band
Sweet Angel Cakes
Chattanooga Valet
The White Table Linens
Shannon & Jason of Innamorata Photography – who were the best two photographers I ever could have worked with that day – you both rocked it!
I can’t think of better people to work with. Thanks to all of you for being who you are and doing an incredible job at what you do!

Much love,

Melody