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Where can you eat Chick-fil-A, see nearly everyone you know, wear your best dress, and find all the men who brought dates on the dance floor?  That would be The Daddy Daughter Date Night that is hosted by the 2 Chick-fil-As in LaGrange, Georgia.  Rob Bowman of Chick-fil-A on Lafayette Parkway and Josh Sells of Chick-fil-A on Commerce team together to put on an Event like no other I have heard about.  I truly believe that our Chick-fil-As do this absolutely right and they have marketing teams that put their heart and soul into it.  The town anticipates tickets going on sale like the Super Bowl, and the event has the reputation of selling out in hours!

The mood is set by using the premier event space in downtown LaGrange.  Del’avant hosts weddings and boasts a beautiful ballroom for dinner and dancing.  The tables are set with cheerful, full flower arrangements.  There are photo booth props, professional portraits, a DJ, and this year a videographer.  An enticing dessert bar by Sissy Cakes was spread for everyone after their chicken dinner.  Ballroom dance instructors offer a quick dance lesson or two so everyone is able to participate and take their little girl for a spin on the dance floor.  Chick-fil-A offers question suggestions to spur conversation and derive answers that tell about a little girl’s heart and where she is right now.  Their pleasant and always willing to serve staff helps serve dinner, and princesses, of course, hand out roses.  You can just see the excitement in the little faces as they walk in the door.

I love being a part of this event.  It spurs community.  It supports family and encourages relationships between a little girl and the most important man in her life right now.  I’ve seen granddads bring their granddaughters and friends reach out to little girls that may not have a date for the evening.  Some daddies have one date, and you can see how special she feels.  For some families, this is a right of passage.  I asked one dad where his 4th daughter was (he was there with 3 of them), and he said, “You have to be 4 to come to Daddy Daughter Date Night at our house.”  Can you imagine how excited that little one is going to be when she gets to join the rank of big girls?!  The hard work is worth it to see all the fun going on.  On Friday night (did I mention they had to open up 2 nights this year?!), as one dad left, he shook Rob and Josh’s hand and said, “This is the most fun I’ve had in a long time.”  Love it.

In between the line of the photo booth and portrait pictures, I try to document a little action and emotion going on in the room.  Enjoy the photos and mark your calendars to look for Daddy Daughter Date Night 2019!

 

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What an exciting event for The Cottage to be a part of! A couple weeks ago, I had the privilege to photograph an Event at Jared The Galleria of Jewelry in Newnan, Georgia.  They hosted a Levian Diamond Event to kick off the New Year, and they know how to throw a party and treat their guests!  Special pieces were brought in, and people came in specifically to see the gorgeous jewelry designed just for Levian.  The Levian family members that were there to represent the company were so attentive and accommodating, too.  I saw them greet each guest and even look for specific pieces for clients by calling to see what was in the vault!

The Jared’s representatives were friendly also,  taking time with each guest, and they provided rich, chocolate cake, pinwheel sandwiches, and fabulous cookies (and more) – I should know, I ate two!  Rhonda and her team decorated the store in a winter blue theme with, of course, chocolate accents, down to the slip-covered chairs.

It was so fun to be a part of the Jared’s family for the day!  I even tried on some pieces that when I sent a picture to my husband, he reminded me that I was not there to shop!  There is a thrill to try on a ring that would only show up in your dreams, but the day was also balanced with pink and green tags that let you know you were getting a great price.  I was pleased to see that some things might not have to always stay in my dreams!

You should visit Jared’s in Newnan when you need some jewelry help.  There was even a surprise engagement ring purchased that day!  The staff will do everything they can to fit you to your perfect piece.  If you are looking for something really special and unique, check out that Levian counter!

Enjoy some images from the day.

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Best Friends and DiamondsPINIMAGE

Best friends for 30 years, still having play dates!

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Celebrating 30 years of marriage!

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Mom and Daughter having a day out together. They laughed the whole time!

As you can see, it was a fun day, full of smiles.  This staff rocked it, and I’m looking forward to the next time!  (This is a picture of part of the staff.  Someone had to keep serving guests!  Kudos to all of you!)

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Jared The Galleria of Jewelry, Newnan, Georgia

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Julie & Josh | Farm Wedding in Dress Blues

Date | May 13, 2017

Ceremony | Oakhurst Farm

Reception | Oakhurst Farm

Photography | The Cottage

Flowers | Denham’s

Dress | Alfred Angelo Bridal

Cake | A Slice of Joy

DJ | Fade to Black Productions

Julie’s best tip for upcoming brides:  “Start early.  Get a planner and make lists.  Don’t get daunted by the 8 million phone calls that have to be made.  It’s okay if you don’t have handwritten calligraphy on the invitations or a perfect wedding website.  Don’t stress the little stuff because it’s all gonna come together in the end and be your own version of perfect.  SPLURGE on pictures and food because you’ll remember that most and have fun and remember it’s your day and your dream.”

 

Julie and Josh became like family in the upcoming days before their farm wedding.  Josh is a military man with a dry sense of humor, and Julie is wide-eyed and bubbly, making you feel like an old friend instantaneously.  We sat down together to talk about details while they were in Georgia, home from New York, where he was stationed.  Julie had big dreams, and Josh just liked to tease her relentlessly with a twinkle in his eye.  I love that part.  The part where the bride gets to walk through the details she has worked so hard to put together and tell me all about it.  I scribble down on a piece of paper every part of relevant information I can gather until it looks like the walls of an insane asylum.  We then walk through the timing of it all and make sure we are both comfortable with the flow of the day.  It’s exciting.  Anticipation is building.

By the time I get to the wedding it’s like greeting old friends or family.  The details, girls scurrying around looking for bobby pins and touching up makeup, guys joking and tugging at their bowties, moms and dads wiping a tear.  The first look.  Aahhhh.  The first look.  It’s the highlight of my day.  Josh nailed it by the way.  You’ll see.  Then all the corralling of bridesmaids and groomsmen to get all the group shots, the ceremony, the kiss, corralling family.  Then comes the whirl of dancing, lights, food, cake, throwing things, laughter.  Sometimes people knock the idea of spending a lot of money on a wedding.  I believe marriage should be celebrated – big.

Julie and Josh’s wedding did not disappoint.  It was supposed to rain, and we had beautiful light all day -right down to a magenta sunset.  Congratulations you guys.  It was Josh and Julie perfect.

Wedding dress, wooden ring box, spring bridal bouquet of flowersPINIMAGE

This bride paired natural elements, spring flower colors, and a little glitz for a beautiful Georgia farm wedding

 

 

 

Flower girl, bride and mom, Oakhurst covered bridge first lookPINIMAGE

Oakhurst’s bridal room and covered bridge makes a beautiful backdrop for getting ready with the girls and your first look.

 

Farm Wedding Ceremony, Bride and Groom KissPINIMAGE

Oakhurst Farm Wedding Ceremony, West Point, Georgia by The Cottage Photography

 

Farm Wedding Reception, wedding cakes, wedding dancing, bridal get away, Fallen Comrade CeremonyPINIMAGE

An indoor space is great to have available for a Georgia Farm Wedding. It gives peace of mind and a place to cool off.

 

Sunset Wedding PortraitPINIMAGE

A beautiful sunset wedding portrait ending to a beautiful farm wedding.

 

Thank you Julie and Josh for sharing your wedding day with The Cottage!

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One of the sheer joys I get to experience as a photographer is being present for some of life’s greatest events.  Weddings and babies make the world go round.  I love the balance of the chaos of it all – being on call for a birth and the anticipation of a wedding date.  This week I got a round with the babies.  Friday became sweet Adelynn’s birthday, and her mom and dad invited me to be a part, documenting her first breath and all the hard work that went into her arrival.  Enjoy this little preview and help me welcome Adelynn.

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