Ashlee & Jeffrey | Intimate Garden Wedding at The Aeneas Building | Jackson, TN Wedding Photographer

Goodness gracious, I love this couple and absolutely LOVED their wedding day! From the moment I received Ashlee’s first email, I knew we would be a perfect fit. And after spending time with her and Jeffrey at their engagement session, I was counting down the days until their wedding!

Ashlee and Jeffrey picked the perfect venue and the most ideal day in September to tie the knot. As the sun was shining and a slight breeze was flowing through the streets of downtown Jackson, the soon-to-be Mr. and Mrs. Clippard were preparing to say their vows in front of an intimate gathering of close family and friends.

Floral bridesmaids dresses, a showstopping BHLDN wedding gown, and the sweetest handwritten letters made this day a favorite of mine. Not to mention, Ashlee and her mom spent months collecting antique plates to use at her reception, which paired perfectly with the classic green and white color scheme that was incorporated throughout the old Aeneas Building. In her maiden days, the Aeneas Building was a church. Now turned-venue, the beautiful building still boasts its original hardwood floors and wooden accents throughout, with massive windows that let in loads of natural light during the day. It is one of my favorite locations in Jackson!

From the beginning, Ashlee always knew she wanted to wait until the ceremony to see Jeffrey. But in light of some stressful events leading up to their big day, she was feeling the weight of everything. When I took her outside for portraits in the garden, she said to me, “I think I’m about to drop a bomb on you…” so I braced myself for a minor emergency. “I think I want to see Jeffrey. I want to see him before the ceremony.”

I remember breathing a sigh of relief and thinking, “That’s all?!” And then I promptly smiled. “Of course! You can ABSOLUTELY see your groom!”

You see, as a wedding photographer, I have learned to be prepared and flexible to work around anything and everything that could possibly change, go wrong, or move around on a wedding day. This just so happened to be one of those easy changes, though – and one of the most important. Because the second that Ashlee and Jeffrey were able to be together – see each other, talk, laugh, cry, embrace each other – I visibly saw all of the weight and stress that Ashlee had been carrying immediately disappear. And it was beautiful. I don’t usually cry during a first look – but theirs had me wiping mascara off of my face!

Just before the beginning of sunset, Ashlee and Jeffrey promised their love to one another atop the spiral staircase in the garden at the Aeneas Building. Afterward, their guests enjoyed a few outdoor games and refreshments while we stole away for romantic sunset portraits in downtown. People passing through downtown would drive by slowly, or wave happily at the bride and groom as they twirled and laughed and kissed and said, “We’re married!”

The personal details and love that was poured into this affair were unmatched. After their glowstick send-off (which was such a FUN and affordable idea, in case you’re looking for something comparable to sparklers), I had the most touching conversation with Ashlee’s mother.

She didn’t try to hold back tears as she spoke of her love for her daughter, and how she had prayed for the man she would one day marry. Without a doubt, she knew that Jeffrey was the husband that she and Ashlee’s father had prayed for. This was one of my favorite moments of the day. I get to witness some pretty cool stuff at weddings, but witnessing the testimonies of what God can bring together in a marriage is the core of what it’s all about. And I’m thankful to have a job that allows me to be a small part of a much greater story.

Here are some of my favorite pictures from Ashlee & Jeffrey’s romantic garden wedding at the Aeneas Building in downtown Jackson, Tennessee. Enjoy!

Aeneas Building Wedding