Much like everyone over the last year, Virginia (“Bird”) and William, had to make alternative plans. Married exactly one year prior, Bird and William’s celebration of marriage was exactly that, a celebration. As you will see in all of the images, Bird’s joy was uncontainable. The weather was absolutely perfect, and so was the party! Thank you, William and Bird, for inviting us to this celebration! It was such an amazing day and we had such a great time working with you.

Ann-Marie

“William and I met during our junior year of college at the University of Alabama. We were set up together on a blind date themed date party. Needless to say, William and I have been each other’s date ever since!” – Virginia

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“Not unlike the rest of the world, the year 2020 has forever changed our idea of normal. The task of planning a wedding during a pandemic was very challenging, but also unforgettable. William and I cancelled and replanned three different weddings due to COVID. We were married on May 18, 2020 in a small ceremony with our parents and my childhood preacher. We celebrated with our friends and families a year later on our one year anniversary weekend. The process was a rollercoaster ride, but it was all worth it in the end. Our long-awaited celebration could not have been more joyous or beautiful. However, throughout the many wedding cancellations and rescheduling, we realized the true meaning of marriage. It was not the dress or the reception, or the band that ultimately matters. At the end of the day, it is starting your life as husband and wife that is truly important.” – Virginia

“Our wedding weekend was May 15, 2021- a notorious time for rain in Memphis. My mom assured me throughout the planning process that we did not need any type of backup plan. My mother made her own preparations, and she decided to follow an old southern tradition that is supposed to ensure good weather on your wedding day. My mom had already tested this theory once before during my older sister’s wedding, and the weather turned out perfectly. As the custom goes, my mother planted an upside down bottle of bourbon at the Polo Club thirty days before the wedding. The old wive’s tale states that burying your bourbon will keep rain away on your big day. The weather forecast leading up to our wedding was a bit scary. However, just as mom promised, the weather on our wedding day couldn’t have been more perfect! My mom’s buried bourbon worked its magic once again!” – Virginia

“Our wedding was largely inspired by the beauty of nature and God’s creation. I wanted to use a lot of natural elements as our backdrop. We wanted the wedding to be not only beautiful, but we wanted our guests to feel welcomed and at ease. Everyone has had a hard year during quarantine, so we wanted to bring back the feeling of joy in community and Southern hospitality.” – Virginia

“My advice to future brides would be to take your time to enjoy and soak in all of the special details of your big day. There is so much planning and preparation that goes in to a wedding, yet the actual day will fly by very quickly. Try to find a moment to slow down and take it all in.” – Virginia

Photographer: Ann-Marie Wyatt | Second Shooter: Mackenzie Rue | Dress: Olia Zavazoina | Bridesmaids Dresses: Bella Bridesmaids | Tux: Men’s Wearhouse | Cakes: Cakes by Mom and Me | Venue: Memphis Hunt and Polo Club | Coordinator: Mona Dunlap | Flowers: Garden District | Invitations: Menage Stationery | Rentals: White Door Events | Band: Al Paris and the Heart Breakers | Rehearsal Venue: Memphis Country Club | Videographer: Five Hills Studio | Hair: Annie Coates