A romantic Florence, Alabama wedding at Trinity Episcopal Church with a joyful reception at Turtle Point Yacht & Country Club.

Bill and I had the honor of photographing Bess and Dean’s beautiful wedding this past weekend in Florence, Alabama, and every part of the day felt intentional, emotional, and joy-filled from start to finish.

Getting Ready at The Stricklin Hotel | Downtown Florence

Bess began her wedding morning in the heart of downtown Florence, getting ready with her bridesmaids, her mom, and her soon-to-be mother-in-law in the Belk Hudson Room at the historic Stricklin Hotel. The room was full of laughter, chatter, and anticipation as ten bridesmaids waited for hair and makeup.

Her bridesmaids wore adorable green-and-white pinstriped pajamas, while Bess wore the sweetest bridal-themed pajama set featuring a bride and groom in a getaway car alongside wedding details like cake and florals. It was precious in every way.

As always, Bill and I found beautiful natural light and began photographing Bess’s thoughtfully chosen details. Her gown was a stunning A-line, strapless design by Jenny Yoo, purchased at Birch on Main, featuring a delicate floral accent just below the waistline. Her flat lay incorporated soft greens and creams that tied the day together perfectly.

Bess wore pearl earrings from Dean’s family — a meaningful heirloom worn by every bride before her. Her engagement ring, which once belonged to her grandmother, added another layer of sentiment to her details.

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Trinity Episcopal Church | Meaningful Moments & First Looks

Once hair and makeup were complete, Bess and her mom walked next door to Trinity Episcopal Church, where Bill and I had already transported her dress, veil, shoes, and accessories so everything was ready.

Outside the church, Bess shared a lighthearted moment with her dad, laughing as he admired his daughter standing on the street in her bridal pajamas. Inside, I photographed Bess getting into her gown with her mom — a quiet, tender moment full of emotion.

First looks followed with her brother and father, both completely speechless as they saw her as a bride. One especially powerful moment was watching her parents lock eyes — a silent exchange that spoke volumes as their daughter stepped into a new chapter.

Bess then met her bridesmaids in the church garden for their first look. Dressed in hunter green gowns by Dessy Group, their reactions were full of joyful squeals, laughter, and misty eyes.

A Groom’s First Look to Remember

Next came Bess’s first look with Dean — and it was incredibly sweet. His eyes filled with tears as he saw his bride for the first time, followed by nonstop smiles throughout their portrait session. Dean looked effortlessly classic in a white tuxedo jacket, black trousers, and black bow tie — timeless and GQ-inspired.

We captured portraits inside the historic church, surrounded by stained glass and soft light. The space felt sacred, peaceful, and deeply romantic as the ceremony approached.

A Candlelit Ceremony at Trinity Episcopal Church

The ceremony took place in the warm glow of candlelight, creating an intimate and reverent atmosphere. As Bess walked down the aisle with both of her parents, Dean’s eyes filled with emotion once again.

Readings from 1 Corinthians 13:1–13, John 15:9–12, and Matthew 5:13–16 were shared by loved ones, including Dean’s father, Hamp Moore, along with Jane Stokes and Martin Bailey. The ceremony was heartfelt, sacred, and beautifully personal.

After being pronounced husband and wife, Bess and Dean joyfully exited the church and joined us for just-married portraits on the church steps before gathering their bridal party.

A Joyful Reception at Turtle Point Yacht & Country Club

The celebration continued as guests boarded a bright yellow school bus headed to Turtle Point Yacht & Country Club. Before entering the reception, we captured a few portraits of the couple and bridal party on the green by the water — a peaceful moment before the party began.

Bess and Dean made their grand entrance to cheers and applause and went straight into their first dance. The Emerald Empire Band kept the dance floor packed all night, and a surprise appearance by Leo the Lion, the University of North Alabama mascot (a gift from Dean’s mom, Melinda), brought even more excitement.

The night ended with a joyful send-off as Bess and Dean ran through flowing streamers toward a classic red getaway car — a perfect ending to a beautiful wedding day.

Florence, Alabama Wedding Photography

Bess and Dean’s wedding was a true honor to photograph — filled with faith, family, timeless details, and unforgettable joy.

📋 Vendor Credits

Bridal Prep
• Stricklin Hotel – Elegant boutique hotel perfect for bridal preparation and getting-ready photos.

Ceremony
• Trinity Episcopal Church – Timeless and classic church ceremony location for a meaningful wedding service.

Reception & Catering
• Turtle Point Yacht and Country Club – Beautiful club setting with on-site catering to host your dinner and celebration.

Bride’s Gown & Bridal Boutique
• Jenny Yoo NYC – Renowned designer of modern bridal gowns and bridesmaid dresses.
• Birch on Main – Bridal boutique offering a curated collection of gowns in Huntsville and beyond.

Desserts
• Lola’s Gifts & Flowers – Custom desserts and sweet treats based in Sheffield, AL.

Entertainment
• Emerald Empire Band – High-energy wedding band that keeps the dance floor alive all night.

Videography
• Captured by Savannah – Fabulous videography team capturing every moment in cinematic style.

Hair & Makeup
• Lillian Griffin – Hair & makeup artist specializing in bridal beauty.

Planner/Coordinator
• Missy Greenshaw – Weedding coordinator keeping every detail on track.

Frequently Asked Questions About Church Weddings & Travel Wedding Photography

What is it like photographing a historic church wedding?

Photographing a historic church wedding, like Trinity Episcopal Church in Florence, Alabama, is an honor and a responsibility. These spaces are rich with history, meaning, and sacred tradition. Because of that, they often come with specific photography guidelines designed to preserve the atmosphere of worship and respect the space.

Our approach is always to work within the church’s guidelines, not against them — ensuring the ceremony remains reverent while still capturing every meaningful moment.

How do you photograph weddings in churches with photography limitations?

Many historic churches have restrictions such as:

• No flash during the ceremony

• Limited movement in the aisle or altar area

• Designated shooting locations

We come prepared with:

• Professional low-light camera equipment

• Experience anticipating moments without needing to move excessively

• A quiet, unobtrusive presence

Because of this, we’re able to document the ceremony beautifully without distraction, focusing on emotion, light, and storytelling rather than forced poses or disruption.

Will photography restrictions affect our wedding gallery?

Not at all. In fact, limitations often lead to more intentional and timeless images. By working within the natural light, architecture, and rhythm of the ceremony, the images reflect the sacred nature of the moment — exactly as it felt to be there.

We also prioritize portraits before and after the ceremony, ensuring you have a full, well-rounded gallery that includes both emotional candids and classic portraits.

Do you travel for weddings?

Yes — we travel anywhere.

We love photographing weddings both close to home and far beyond. Whether your celebration is in Florence, Nashville, across the country, or overseas, we are always honored to travel for our couples.

Travel weddings allow us to tell stories in meaningful places, and we approach every destination wedding with the same care, preparation, and attention to detail as we would at home.