A George Peabody Library wedding: Rachel + Cecil

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I make no secret of the fact that one of my most-favorite aspects of my job is the joy of photographing real moments and authentic emotion for my clients. Yes, the flowers and decor and paper goods and all the other little details that couples spend so much time and money on are beautiful and certainly infuse their wedding day with personal touches and personality. But it’s the little glances, the great expressions and reactions and the emotional moments that lead to my favorite photographs of each wedding day. Rachel + Cecil had plenty of both elements on their big day. When we arrived at the Hotel Monaco to photograph the preparations, Rachel and her bridesmaids were jamming to Beyonce while Cecil and his groomsmen started the day with Al Green and a little practice of their best dance moves. At each turn, the opportunities for meaningful photos only increased. The hail and rain from earlier in the day turned to blue skies and sunshine just in time to photograph Rachel and her bridesmaids outside. A full gospel choir added emotion and more than a few appreciative tears to the couple’s beautiful ceremony at the George Peabody Library. And a full flip of the Stack Room — the main attraction of the 138-year-old library, with its five tiers of ornamental cast-iron balconies rising some 60 feet up to a gorgeous skylight overhead — transformed the ceremony space into a glittery formal dinner party with cafe lights, towering cherry blossom centerpieces and shimmery linens and a memorable dance party. Here are some of my favorites from Rachel + Cecil’s big day:

Such a dapper group of gentlemen.

Rachel, who is a yoga and fitness instructor, has the amazing arms and shoulders of a woman who puts in a lot of work in the gym. As a CrossFit devotee myself, I couldn’t help but admire that!

A few photos of the ladies on the hotel’s soaring marble staircase.

The bride, looking absolutely gorgeous.

This next picture belies the gray, gloomy and wintry weather that marked the first half of the day. Rachel really wanted pictures in front of these red church doors and I was thrilled that the weather cooperated. We seriously had almost four different seasons of weather that day!

And then it was time to get married. The always-gorgeous George Peabody Library doesn’t need any gussying up to be a spectacular setting for a wedding. But with cafe lights, warm amber lighting and a cherry blossom arch at the entrance, the library looked its absolute prettiest for Rachel + Cecil.

Rachel makes her grand entrance on the arm of her father.

Both Rachel + Cecil are so expressive, which made them a particular delight to photograph!

I love this next image, which was taken by my assistant, Andrew.

Rachel became overcome with emotion as the choir launched into a simply beautiful song of praise. She joined in.

Andrew snapped this next image of the back of one of the videographer’s cameras.

Rachel’s mother, Merinda, who served as the master of organization and the de facto wedding planner, was particularly looking forward to seeing the cherry blossom arch at the library’s entrance. I was happy to capture this angle of the beautiful arch during the ceremony for their family.