Bailey and Zack originally planned to have their wedding at the Jackson Yacht Club, but due to COVID restrictions, they were unable to do that. That being said, it was important to me to get some of those nautical looking shots of Bailey. So we took some shots on her family’s back deck at the reservoir, and I absolutely love how they turned out. We were also able to incorporate Bailey’s dog Fergie in for a few photos, and she was ridiculously adorable!

Bailey, Alex and I had so much fun working with you and Zack! Thank you for allowing us to be a part of the beautiful day that finally came after seven years in the making

“Zack and I met in homeroom in 11th grade. We had casual conversations here and there, but we started becoming real friends during our senior year of high school. Our senior year, our friend groups combined, and this was when our friendship started to begin. Around October, Zack wanted to be in the ‘talking’ phase of the relationship, but I tried to avoid labels. We were about to be on opposite sides of the state, Zack was playing soccer at Pearl River Community College on the coast, and I decided on the The University of Mississippi. I did not want to start anything before leaving for college, and I was very closed-minded about the idea of a long-distance relationship. Those thoughts did not stop me from hanging out with Zack. He kept pushing a relationship, and I started with excuses. I said we would talk about a relationship after sports seasons, holidays, finals, and I had to meet his parents. Zack was super patient and abided by all my rules. Then one day, I could not think of any more excuses, so on January 10th, 2014, he officially asked me to be his girlfriend by tossing me a soccer ball that had ‘Will you be my girl?’ written on it.” – Bailey

“I have a tendency to make things difficult for Zack. I had just come back from London on a study abroad trip, and I was in Oxford working on campus. I was supposed to come home to Jackson that weekend, but I was thinking about staying in Oxford and catching up with some of my girlfriends. I had plans made and told Zack I was not coming home. Zack messaged all my friends one plan after another and informed them to cancel on me so I would come home, and he could propose. After all my rejections, I accepted the signs and decided I would come back. I drove home, and I had a gut feeling he might propose, but I did not want to get my hopes up. Two and half hours later, I was trying on my entire closet just in case it was the night. He picked me up from my house, and we ate at our favorite Mexican restaurant. Zack did an excellent job downplaying the whole getting engaged any time soon, and I was ensured that it was not happening tonight. After dinner, Zack had the idea of riding around Flowood and going down memory lane for us. We stopped at a gazebo where we had our first actual hangout. He then started saying all these sweet things, and the next thing I knew, he was down on one knee. I had the biggest grin on my face as I giggled out a yes. I struggled to take off my layers of rings to slip on the engagement ring, and Zack couldn’t help but laugh at me.” – Bailey

“Our wedding was special because it was a moment that I thought may not happen. I had dreamed about our wedding since college. When COVID-19 hit, there was so much doubt, and the unknown was circling around us. At the end of the day, I knew I wanted to be married to Zack. Whether that was by a traditional wedding in my dream wedding dress or a courthouse with a white t-shirt and shorts. We had done six and a half years of long-distance, and we were ready to be together. I couldn’t have had that type of mentality if it was not for Zack, our families, vendors, and friends. Throughout this process, the support we received and how many people pointed us in the right direction to make the wedding happen was unimaginable. I cannot thank everyone who went out of their way to make our wedding happen. When the big day finally came, seeing everyone who was there for us as I walked down the aisle was overwhelming. So many people believed in us and wanted the best for us, and our wedding was a celebration of how special our support system is.” – Bailey

“The inspiration for our wedding was tropical because our wedding was supposed to be along the Reservoir, but COVID-19 had other plans. Zack and I had grown up on the reservoir boating and spending time with friends. It is a special place for us. The beach is also my happy place, so I wanted to incorporate what makes us the happiest into our day. My vendors did such an amazing job by bringing that tropical feel to the Old Capitol Inn after our venue change. When I walked in and saw how perfect everything was, I knew the wedding was supposed to be here all along.” – Bailey

“I am thankful that all of our vendors were understanding about pushing back our wedding date from June 6th to August 1st. Posh Designs, Charmed Cakes, Taylor Square Photography, and Fresh Cut of Jackson listed multiple alternative dates and were super understanding when other dates did not line up. They assured me that we would find a date, and a wedding would eventually happen. After a date adjustment, our original venue canceled on us ten days before our wedding. This wedding would not have happened if it wasn’t for Posh Designs (Rachel Curtis) and Fresh Cut of Jackson (Wendy and Julia Putt). Rachel found us a new venue, Old Capitol Inn, by the end of the day. Wendy and Julia had all these designs and had to create new ones, while still keeping that tropical feel I wanted. They replanned a wedding within ten days. I am forever thankful for how accommodating the Old Capitol Inn was by being so understanding and willing to help with all the small details that meant so much. Charmed Cakes made all of our wedding cake dreams come true, and they were the centerpiece of the wedding. I could go on and on about how awesome all the vendors are because they worked so hard to make our dream wedding day a reality.” – Bailey

“I was surprised that the day turned out better than my original plan. Wedding planning with a pandemic may not seem appealing, but it was just a part of our story. I had gone through so many plans, but once it all came together, it turned out to be way more than I ever could have imagined. It was just 100% Zack and I in all the small details. We had to cancel some things and scale back in certain areas, which from afar can seem disappointing, but in reality, it just gave the wedding a more intimate feel.” – Bailey

“It is crazy to look back and think Zack has been there every step of the way with me since high school. He has seen me succeed, fail, and all the mood swings in between. Long-distance has so many negative connotations with it, but for Zack and I, it worked. It allowed us to support each other and find out who we were as individuals. We did long distance for six and a half years. It was not always easy; we went months without seeing each other. We both knew it would be worth it in the end. I remember when Zack left for college before me, I gave him a hug in my driveway where we had our first kiss and walked back sobbing and just sat at my front door. I knew that our lives would be like this for the next four years- if we made it. It was intimidating to think about as an 18-year-old. I think I knew deep down he was the one. Zack was the most positive about it, and he always saw the light at the end of the tunnel. When I decided to go to graduate school for another two years, he was my biggest cheerleader. He constantly challenged me to be the best me and always supported me. That has always stood out to me, and I will always count it as my biggest blessing.” – Bailey

“Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, and Something Blue. This tradition includes such small details, but they meant the most to me. For something old, my mom and Aunt Marcia had my Grandmother’s engagement ring made into a necklace that coordinated with my engagement ring. This was even more meaningful because my grandmother and aunt could not attend the wedding due to COVID-19, so it was like having a little piece of them there with me. For something new, it was my dress. It was Dare by Hayley Paige. I was obsessed with Hayley Paige before, so once I got engaged, I knew I wanted one of her dresses. For something borrowed, my mom works at Mia Bella Dress store in Flowood, and they were more than happy to help contribute to my day by letting me borrow earrings. Then for something blue, it was my shoes.” – Bailey

“My advice for other brides would be not to overthink the small details and embrace what is there. I was so wrapped up into all little details being perfect and always having a backup wedding plan, but at the end of the day, it is all about celebrating who you love with the people that love you the most.” – Bailey

Lead Photographer: Ann-Marie Wyatt | Second Shooter: Alex Sage | Dress: Town and Country Bridal | Bridesmaids Dresses: Bella Bridesmaids | Tux: Tuxedo Junction | Cakes: Charmed Cakes | Venue: Old Capitol Inn | Coordinator: Posh Designs | Flowers: Fresh Cut of Jackson | Invitations: Posh Designs | Rentals: Fresh Cut of Jackson | Band: Keys vs Strings | Videographer: Jared Thomas Photography | Caterer: Old Capitol Inn | Hair & Makeup: Molly Gee & Company