Madison & John = The Firehouse Wedding!

The Firehouse | Wedding Day | Madison & John | December 11, 2021

YALL! Madison & John’s wedding was special to us for so many reasons! First of all, way back 8 YEARS ago when our business was just starting – I had the honor of photographing Madison’s SENIOR PORTRAITS for high school. And now 8 years later, we had the honor of photographing her wedding day!!! So cool how things have come full circle!!! 🙂

Phillip taught high school with Madison’s mom years ago, and actually credits Kelly to helping him become a successful teacher! Over the years, Madison went off to college, became apart of the PAWS program, and would come to Sunday School with whichever current dog she was training – and Phillip would be completely distracted and just play with the dog during our whole class HAHA! Doesn’t sound like Phillip at all to be obsesssed with dogs, right? Hahaha! 🙂

Side note – if you missed seeing their Engagement Session with the pups, click HERE! Also, if you missed seeing Madison’s Bridal Session at The Firehouse, click HERE!

Madison & John’s wedding was also our LAST wedding of 2021 and FIRST wedding at The Firehouse! They planned for a Christmas/winter themed wedding, but randomly North Carolina weather decided to throw them a humid, 70º degree day! Thankfully it wasn’t TOO hot because the day was overcast and we had some gusts of wind to cool things off.

The girls got glammed up in the Bridal Suite with a buffet of food, mimosas, starbucks coffee, music playing, and the two pups (Kiowa and HELO) running around keeping everyone entertained! We started off photographing Madison’s details (I actually designed their wedding invitation suite – and it was SO fun!) and I especially loved their gold wax seal & her pear shaped ring. It was also our first time photographing a TWO piece dress – super unique!!! The photos of the girls on the couch with the dogs are some of my FAVORITE “getting ready” photos I’ve taken, I can’t wait for you to see those! 🙂

The guys got ready at a little Airbnb downtown, and had a fun time exploring around downtown Goldsboro and taking photos with the urban backdrops!

Madison & John opted to have a First Look, and we were able to get almost ALL of their photos done pre-ceremony because of that! It was perfect so they could relax together before the ceremony and not feel rushed!!

If you’re on the fence about having a First Look because you don’t think your fiancé will react for the ceremony …. Wait until you see John’s reaction to Madison coming down the aisle. Yall – this is after having a First Look AND taking ALL their photos & hanging out before the ceremony!!!! It was absolutely precious and had me tearing up too watching him!!!! Sooooooo sweet!!!!

The reception started with delicious food by Funky Fresh, drinks, cake, cupcakes, a surprise First Dance with Madison, her dad, AND her sister (so fun!) awesome toasts, and then LOTS of dancing!!! I loved how John & Madison’s guests immediately got on the dance floor to party!!!

Madison & John had a sparkler exit and John even popped some champagne!!! It was such a fun way to end our 2021 year with literally a BANG!!!! I can’t wait for ya’ll to see all my favorite photos from Madison & John’s wedding day below!

P.S. Madison, THANK YOU for trusting me with your photos as I was a beginner photographer 8 years ago – and then entrusting me with your Engagement, Bridal, AND Wedding Day all these years later. SUCH a huge compliment!!!! Thank you!

Thanks so much to the vendor team!!!

– Florist: Brushed by Bec

– Makeup Artist: Caroline Sharpe Cale

– Hairstylist: Shannon Massengail

– Director: Chelsea Collins

– DJ: DJ Tommy King

– Wedding Venue & Bartending: The Firehouse

– Caterer: Funky Fresh

– Cake Designer: Colleen Raper

– Invitation Suite designer: Tiffany L. Johnson (that’s us!)

– Calligrapher: The Dotted Line by Rachel Eckert

– Officiant: Jeremy White