Melissa & Rob got in touch and I was drawn to their energy immediately. They described their vision of their wedding, full of famous Memphis barbecue, local street art, kilts, a brewery, and a children’s museum, and I was HOOKED.
The overall trip was a favorite, one that is sure to live on in the stories I tell for years to come. Melissa & Rob as so naturally hilarious, kind, generous, and their eye for detail is astounding! The day started for me at Melissa & Rob’s home where Melissa and her loved ones were prepping her in her pink faux fur shrug and unbelievable Betsey Johnson lion’s head earrings. Her entire look was all in shades of pink, from the highlights in her hair to the completely adorable suede ballet flats on her feet. We laughed through the afternoon as she prepared, then stepped out into the SNOW to head to her first look with Rob!
I couldn’t believe it; we knew this wedding weekend would be a chilly one, but this was a surprise! One of the aspects of weddings I love most - shocking from someone who is as obsessed with lists and planning as I am - is the unpredictability and the constant need to recalculation. It keeps me on my toes, thinking critically and creatively at the same time.
We carried on, loving the soft and light snowfall as we traveled around Memphis, stopping off at some awesome street art and, the best moment of all, dropping into the Memphis Children’s Museum. We played on the carousel, with some juggling scarves that just simply made my day, and anything else that caught our eye, including some great textures and colors at the building next door.
Luckily, Melissa & Rob and their friends and family are some stellar troopers and so we were able to have their lovely ceremony outdoors, as planned. It was a cold one, but completely gorgeous and 100% worth every moment! Their dogs were included and would have completely stolen the show if it weren’t for the happiness and warmth radiating off of the couple.
The brewery reception was intimate and fun as hell, filled with some of the most helpful venue people I’ve ever encountered. And, as the absolutely best parting gift in the history of parting gifts, Rob & Melissa blessed us with some Astronaut Status, a barrel-aged imperial stout specialty that the brewery held onto JUST for Rob. It’s DELICIOUS and made me cry, it was such a sweet and lovely send-off to leave out with.
I adored my time in Memphis and I can’t wait to go back! I know we barely scratched the surface of the cool sights in Memphis, so maybe an anniversary session will be in order next March! 😉
Most memorable moment from your wedding day?
Melissa: Eating a leftover Popeye’s biscuit in the car, in my wedding dress, on the way to the first look, excited and nervous and bursting with waiting to see what the day would bring. Crying during one of the readings, overwhelmed with what we were doing and how great it was and how loved (and cold) we were. Doing private vows with Rob. Twirling with our wedding party (flouncy dresses and kilts meant everyone got to twirl!) in the back of the brewery. Hugging the crap out of everyone there, often multiple times.
Funniest moment on your wedding day?
Melissa: Rob accidentally punching me in the head while trying to throw juggling scarves at the children’s museum. (That’s a fun sentence to write!) Rob licking my face when Raven told us to “nuzzle like lions” for a photo.
Rob: Hot Dog pooping at the altar. Smacking Melissa in the back of the head at the Children’s museum.
What were you most anxious or nervous about regarding your wedding day and how did it turn out?
Melissa: The weather! I waited and waited for the 10 day forecast to be available, and then it said “wintry mix” and Rob laughed at me. Turns out, after some back and forth, it did actually snow on the morning of our wedding and we had to light heat lamps for the outdoor ceremony. I was super glad we had a venue with a backup plan for holding the reception inside. Everyone came in and danced themselves thaw pretty quickly.
What advice would you give to other couples planning their wedding?
Decide what’s important to you, do that, and to heck with everything else. People want to celebrate with you in a way that feels like you, so don’t bother pretending or trying to throw somebody else’s event. The outdoor ceremony was super important to us, so our people put on their coats, shivered for 20 minutes, and then told us later how awesome it was.
If you could do it all over, would you change anything?
Mostly, not a thing. Realistically, future Christmases might be less awkward if Rob’s dad hadn’t seen him enthusiastically and only semi-stealthily grab my boobs during a photo. Any tips for future couples on how to prepare for their wedding photos?
Melissa: Realize that you look wonderful, no matter what. Have some fun with it! Let the photos hold all the emotion you’re feeling.
Rob: Be yourselves every step of the way and be clear up front of what you want(shots/events to capture etc), but understand that you are also someone’s art at this point and allow them the freedom to be creative with you and you’ll not be disappointed in the speacial moments that will result from trusting them.
- Ceremony & Reception Venue: Wiseacre Brewing Co.
- Florist: Kroger
- Catering: Central BBQ
- Officiant: Rev. Katherine Bush
- Beauty: Gould’s Salon Spa
- Bride’s Attire: Low’s Bridal
- Groom’s Attire: USA Kilts
- Jewelry: Sandra Matasick & The Great Frog London
- 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.
