Meet the Couple
Kat & Stephanie are such complete dreamboats that I honestly felt like I was not cool enough to be at their wedding. I am so honored to have been a part of it. Folly Beach, South Carolina serves as a staple of their relationship and a frequented location for the two of them. It’s their home away from home, a place they love being. So it only made sense that they would hold a Folly Beach wedding day.
Photos from Their Folly Beach Wedding Day
They rented beach houses, one in front of the other, giving them access to the beach directly behind for their Folly Beach wedding ceremony. They had a reception in the shared yard between the houses complete with a low-country boil. There were huge rock jetties out on the beach, a cotton candy sunset, and completely gorgeous weather.
Getting Ready
Their First Look
For their first look, Kat came to the back porch of the house where Stephanie got ready. Kat brought her a single rose like the most romantic human I’ve ever met. We explored the property with them. Then, we drove to the end of the street to explore the beach, the wild plant life, and to find the world’s most elusive lighthouse. Each time we’ve photographed them, I’ve been struck by their connection, how easily they fit together, and how palpable their love is.
Their Wedding Ceremony
Their wedding was simple and elegant while their personalities shone out of every moment. It was community-focused day, with everyone supporting them and pulling together because of their care for these women.
Their Wedding Reception
Most Memorable Moment Of Your Wedding?
Stephanie: Mine was seeing Kat walk down the steps from the other house on her way to come pick me up and laughing as Raven said “cheater,” but I definitely teared up seeing her all dressed up and ready to get married. And also when I realized she was carrying a white rose.
Another was when we walked out to do the rehearsal on Friday afternoon and became very emotionally overwhelmed when we realized our absolute nearest and dearest were all with us, and we had never been together with all of them before.
The last was when we were about to cut the cake and looking around the room to give our thank you and seeing everyone who had come to Folly Beach for our wedding. It was an incredible feeling to see that room full of all our family and friends and people who have loved us and shaped us. I don’t think I’ll ever forget that.
Funniest Moment Of Your Wedding Day?
Kat: My friend Traliza deciding too early in the night that she was going to pull her clothes off. And, I told her “too early” as she was pulling clothing off, and she put them back on and walked back to the low country boil table.
Stephanie: Moments during the ceremony when Judith would make jokes to lighten the mood. And especially when she said something in her homily about how the passionate sex goes away. Also when she proclaimed us married by the power vested in her by the state of South Carolina, and she made an aside “can you believe it?” (I remember laughing a LOT during that ceremony…definitely laughed more during my own wedding ceremony than I have done during any other wedding ceremony).
Also, when my friend Shana – after we thanked Judith for officiating during the thank yous and I was about to cry – yelling “can I get an amen” (that was extremely funny, and absolutely classic Shana).
What Were You Most Anxious Or Nervous About Regarding Your Wedding Day And How Did It Turn Out?
Kat: My suit not fitting and not remembering my lines and both went swimmingly.
Stephanie: I was worried about not being in the present moment. And, the whole day just flying by without me being able to enjoy any of it. But I don’t feel like the day flew by – I felt like I was able to capture intimate moments and be very intentional with my energy and my time and my interactions with all my loved ones, and it was just the perfect length and I was present and able to enjoy the whole day.
Both: We were worried and anxious that we were asking so much of our friends and family – in terms of coordinating, setting up, supporting during the event – that no one would have a good time because they would be so busy and stressed. It’s hard to say at this point (we were so busy we didn’t even notice!). But, there seemed to be a LOT of laughing, lots of food (and compliments on the food…always a good sign). There were lots of games-playing, two impromptu dance parties, and even some skinny-dipping toward the end of the night… so all in all, we think it went ok.
What Advice Would You Give To Other Couples Planning Their Wedding?
Be gentle with each other. There will be fights, there will be tears. And, there will be disagreements, and it’s all part of the process! But, none of this is bad. Rather it provides an opportunity to grow as a couple. And you can show – very tangibly – how you can still love each other and be soft and kind to each other, even in the midst of what feels like crisis time. (Even though in the broader scheme of things, it’s really not…).
If You Could Do It All Over, Would You Change Anything?
Stephanie: No, it was perfection.
Kat: Knowing that we were able to pull it off, no. But I still have a lot of guilt about having so many people do so many things for us to throw a great party.
Any Tips For Future Couples On How To Prepare For Their Wedding Photos?
Hire Raven.
Seriously though, working with you and Gabbie on our wedding day was a highlight of the wedding. You made us both feel so relaxed and grounded, which is really a BIG deal, given Kat’s phobia of cameras. With you both (and especially Raven, since we worked with her for our engagement shoot), we felt like our love was being well-captured. And also validated and appreciated for exactly what it is. So thank you, from the bottom of our hearts.
Get In Touch to Plan Your Wedding Day
Raven is an Atlanta Wedding Photographer who captures real people on their totally unique and completely awesome wedding day. She travels throughout Georgia, including Athens, North Georgia, Dahlonega and beyond, documenting love.