janel + derrick say {I DO} middle tennessee wedding photographer

First wedding of the year....complete!!  Woop Woop

I arrived at the Hilton in Smyrna around 12:45....knocked on the bride's room door only to find the bride
MIA, but her sweet beautiful bridesmaids & some friends greeting me with a smile and informed me
that Janel was downstairs getting her make-up put on.  I got downstairs...saw Janel and immediately
hugged her neck.  She looked stunning.

I then decided to check on the groom and his men to see how things were going in their room.  Of course,
all 3 handsome fella's were dressed to impress and ready to get the show on the road!  I had a great time
hanging with them, using a cool light in the room as a spot light and having them cut up about high school
days.  Some jokes were even made about middle school days..now, if you go that far back then you
know there are some funny stories to share.  But, I promised what was mentioned in that room would
stay in that room.  lol

Finally made my way back up to the bride's room.  The bridesmaids were dressed in their canary yellow
J.Crew super cute dresses, the flower girl was getting her hair curled by her sweet mom and Janel was
ready to put her dress on.  Such a sweet moment as friends were helping Janel with her gown and with
the final touches with her earrings and necklace.

It was time to head over to the movie theater.  And, it was POURING.  But, it was important to J + D
to get some sweet moments captured at the theater because they are big movie buffs, so we made it
happen.  We only had a few minutes inside, but I believed we rocked it.  While we were there I decided
that we would take some shots outside by the brick wall {see photo below}.

So, now it was time to head back to the Hilton.  It was almost show time.  Ceremony started around 4:30.
To the right of me was the Matthew's family and to the left of me was the Smith family.  And, by the end
of the night there was no right or left side...it was all one big family, as one...celebrating a union that will last a
lifetime.

I can't wait to share all the special moments in preparation, during the ceremony, after the ceremony, to
when Janel + Derek jumped on the bed after it was all done, during the sorority sister serenade to Janel,
when the line sisters did their thing, first dance, cutting of the cake, silly moments when the cha-cha slide
was playing to when cousins got down on the dance floor when just the right song would come on.

It was such an amazing event filled with so much love!   Lots of "Amens" and "You know that's right"!

I feel so lucky to have been such a big part in the event.

All my love to the bride & groom!  Have a great time on your honeymoon.  Can't wait to share the
pictures with you when you return.

All my love always.