THE BOTTLING COMPANY | WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER | MARY AND BEN

Mary and Ben’s wedding at The Bottling Company in Hattiesburg, MS on August 3rd was one I won’t soon forget. This wedding was one I was looking forward to for a couple years. I was a student when I first met Mary, and then was one of her “children” when I became a Graduate Assistant in the Athletic Department back in 2020 (the TIME of my life, mid-Covid). As I continued through my graduate degree program, I grew closer and closer to Mary, as she was a fantastic role-model to look up to. There are countless instances where I would go up to her office and just chat about anything and everything happening at the time.

As a couple, I learned that Mary and Ben have a love that is timeless. They are truly head-over-heels for each other, and I could not be happier for them. It also helps that they both have the same love for their work. Ultimately they mesh well together and it is everything I hope for when I photograph couples. I wish for laughter, and joy, engagement sessions outdoors, and down-to-earth brides with big hearts for the people in their lives. This is Mary and Ben to a T!

We were outstandingly lucky to have been blessed with such a beautiful spring day for their engagement session. We walked through a rose garden, to capture their romance. The day was full of love and laughter, exactly what you’d want your engagement photoshoot to be filled with! With God at the helm, we moved on to the Chapel on USM’s campus where we continued our photoshoot. This symbolized that God will always be at the forefront of their relationship and throughout their life. While inside the chapel, Mary and Ben took some time to reflect on their journey to this moment in time, where loved ones are behind them with every step they take. It truly was a beautiful sight to see.

The day started in the Bridal Suite at The Bottling Company, where hair and make-up was done. Mary’s bridesmaids were having good conversations, singing to music, and having an all-around good time in the morning. Mary was surrounded with so much love from her girls and her mother and in-law’s to be. I’m pretty sure her heart was exploding with gratitude at this point, because mine sure was and I was just overwhelmed with the love that was felt inside that bridal suite.

After about an hour, Mary got ready as her girls got her dressed, so she could have her first look with the love of her life. When she turned around, all of her girls started saying over and over how good Mary looked! Y’all, trust me. She was GORGEOUS. Absolutely stunning and her positivity was more radiant than ever. She has an unbelievable heart for serving and loving others and I find myself always looking forward to hearing from her. This became so apparent when she was surrounded by her bridesmaids as they all were just so excited to be a part of the day.

Then comes the groomsmen. I had a blast with them as they took pictures together as a group, and then solo with Ben, as they truly we ready to get their man married. They were surrounded with laughter and fun all day and I can’t imagine a more perfect wedding day.

Moments later, after having to usher some people back into rooms so the Bride and Groom could have complete solitude, we come upon our first look. I could tell Ben was ready as he took steadying breaths seconds before I told him to turn around to see his Bride. The pure joy and awe that was depicted on Ben’s face will forever be a moment I always remember. The amount of love he has for her is indescribable. Being able to witness this moment makes my heart swell with so much joy, seeing their love through each other’s eyes. I can only hope that one day they will see these photos and think back to how much joy this day brought everyone.

After the first look, we continued the photoshoot with Husband and Wife portraits! Being able to help them have a moment to themselves before the rush of family portraits meant so much to me. They had a moment to breathe, and it was incredible. Following photos with groomsmen and bridesmaid, we made our way to the first floor of The Bottling Company where we took family formals. Truthfully, this was the first time I’ve ever worked a wedding where family formals were before the ceremony, and I can honestly say it was refreshing! There was less stress on everyone knowing that family formals were done beforehand, rather than trying to get it done when people within the parties wanted to go eat during the cocktail hour.

Two things that stuck out to me during the ceremony that made it THAT extra special, (a.) when the groomsmen walked down the aisle to the groom, each gave the groom a baseball with a special message for Ben from Mary. She told me, when we were planning out her day, that she had been planning this for MONTHS and that no one knew until the day of… Sorry, Ben!! But I think that was very neat. The second thing that was very neat to me was Mary and Ben had asked their immediate family and their bridal parties to form a circle around them and to place a hand over them as they said a prayer for the happy couple as they entered this new journey together. For someone who is very faith-based herself, I found that this was one of my top favorite parts of their day.

Their night continued with pleasant conversations amongst their family and friends who attended their reception. Many guests, as well as the newlyweds, danced the night away on the dance floor! What a time it is to be alive when you get to celebrate your new journey with your loved ones. As the night came to a close, the newlyweds left their ceremony in style, in true Golden Eagle style, where their getaway car, was in fact, the same bus that drove the USM baseball team to all of their road games!

All in all, it was truly a perfect day. Together, Mary and Ben completely compliment one another. He is always smiling (as is Mary) and loves her deeply. They are, indeed, a perfect match, and I am just bursting with joy that I get to document their love.

Mary and Ben, no one deserves this perfect day more than the two of you. I am so beyond happy that I got to be there to witness the beginning of your next big adventure! Thank you a million times over for being so incredible. I hope this new adventure together gets better each and every day. Your joy is contagious and I absolutely loved being surrounded by it on your wedding day. Cheers to many more decades of love and happiness! Mary and Ben T-T-T!!!

Vendor Love:

RECEPTION/CEREMONY VENUE: The Bottling Company
FLORIST: Jill
CAKE ARTIST: Monkey Kisses
DJ: DJ Don King
MAKE-UP ARTIST: Salon Associates 
HAIR ARTIST: Salon Associates
BRIDESMAIDS DRESSES: Love Birds Bridal
GROOMSMEN ATTIRE: Men's Warehouse
OFFICIANT: Hagan Stone
BRIDAL GOWN: Love Birds Bridal
JEWELRY: Carter's Jewelry
INVITATIONS: Zazzle
VIDEOGRAPHER: Garrett Stone