I was so excited when April asked me if I was available for a photo shoot with her and Michael. I took their engagement and wedding photos, and had so much fun working with them. We decided to meet in downtown Jackson for this shoot, only steps away from where we took some of their engagement photos. I'd never done a shoot like this before and I was SO NERVOUS that I would say or do something to spill the beans. This wasn't just your average family/anniversary/couple shoot. This was April's way of telling Michael that he was going to be a dad. :)

Stephanie Benge Photography | Jackson, TN Photographer

April suggested to Michael that they take photos of a board listing reasons why they loved each other, and take photos presenting the boards to each other. Michael's list of why he loves April made me smile so big, and the whole time I was just thinking dude, this is about to get crazy, you have no idea.

Worth it.

I cried. I have no problem admitting that.

Michael was COMPLETELY surprised, and SO happy. You never really know how people will react to these things, and it was wonderful to watch Michael react in such a beautiful way. He kept saying "this is the best day!"

Stephanie Benge Photography | Jackson, TN Wedding Photographer

I thought it was so cool that Sarah got ready for her wedding in her childhood bedroom. Usually brides are getting ready in some random hotel room, or bridal suite at a wedding venue. It was really special to see Sarah prepare for her wedding in her room with an adorable ballerina wallpaper border.

This is Leo. I thought his tie was really awesome.

A few weeks before this wedding Kyle and I were in downtown Jackson. He mentioned how pretty the building for the First United Methodist Church was, and how it would be really cool if we could shoot there some time. We speculated about what the inside looked like and talked about using the porch for photos. In preparation for this wedding I double checked the locations and announced happily to Kyle that we would get to shoot at the church! It really is a lovely building.

I love seeing the bride and groom looking at each other while the bride walks down the aisle. :) So sweet.

Sarah and Leo are from very different backgrounds, and I thought it was so beautiful how they blended their religious practices for the ceremony. The were married in a Methodist church, under a chuppah. They exchanged vows, and also signed a ketubah. They recited The Lord's Prayer, and also listened to a recitation of the Seven Blessings. I love attending wedding ceremonies that include religious traditions other than my own. I always leave wanting to know more, and I always learn something valuable from the way other people do things.

Sarah and Leo's wedding was definitely the rainiest I've shot yet. Naturally, the second we were scheduled to be taking photos outside, the sky opened up and it started storming. These two just went right along with it. Luckily, I remembered to bring along my clear dome umbrellas. I never wanted to do an entire wedding portrait session using these umbrellas, but when the day came that I needed to do just that, I was very glad I had them. If Sarah and Leo were freaked out that it was pouring rain at their wedding, they didn't let it show.

Green Frog Farms is beautiful, so even with less than desirable weather I think we got some keepers.

Look how happy they are! They don't care that it's raining.

Jam is officially my favorite wedding favor idea of all time. Jam is one of my five major food groups. Giving it away at weddings is an excellent idea. All people should do it.

Jewish weddings are awesome because at the end of the day they throw people up in the air. The horah is awesome to watch. I can't think of a better/more exciting/more terrifying way to celebrate getting married. I can't decide if I'd be willing to try this or not. It's definitely a trust exercise. No one was harmed in the making of this photograph.