How Do You ‘I Do?’

Second to a planner, a photographer has one of the most intimate views of a wedding, snapping photos of each and every detail, vendor and moment that make it the most special day for the happy couple. 

Since shooting her first wedding in 2013, photographer Molly Peach has witnessed hundreds of nuptials as both a professional and a guest. Now, it’s her turn to say ‘I Do’ this spring as she marries the love of her life, Cameron Brousseau. 

After capturing every single detail for countless weddings over the years, Molly has a unique understanding and appreciation for the wedding industry, including what to do — and what not to do. 

Here are five elements this Nashville wedding photographer is shaking up for her big day. 

#1) Incorporate favorites from both the bride and groom.

Oftentimes, brides have been planning their dream wedding since childhood, and many wedding days are brimming with feminine touches from the color scheme to the florals and even the smallest details. While the Brousseau wedding will have plenty of elegant, feminine touches, Molly wanted to be sure to incorporate Cam’s style and interests as well. Enter: a speakeasy cocktail hour. 

“There is an atrium where guests will walk through between the ceremony and reception,” Molly, whose wedding will be held at Cheekwood Estate and Gardens, shared. “Since Cam enjoys craft cocktails, and one of our very first dates was at a cocktail bar, we decided to drape the space in black and create an intimate cocktail experience to offer a reprieve from the feminine, springtime touches.” 

#2) Shake up reception entertainment.

The music and entertainment selections have always stood out to Molly as she’s photographed countless wedding bands and DJs over the years. One big takeaway, however, is that the band is often in the background of the dinner service before their set starts, which can be distracting. Molly and her planners came up with the idea to drape off the stage, allowing the focus to remain on speeches and first dances.

Once the band takes the stage, Molly and Cam will have their mother/son and father/daughter dances first, and then use their first dance as husband and wife to kick off the remainder of the party, as the curtain opens revealing the band.

“Instead of an afterparty, we’re swapping the band for a DJ to close out the reception,” Molly added.

#3) Keep paper goods, party favors, and wedding party minimal.

There are a few wedding traditions that Molly has chosen to forgo or cut down on, including paper goods and party favors. As a photographer, Molly has been struck by the waste left behind from printed programs, signage and other goods following the ceremony and reception, and is opting to cut down on signage and favors to reduce both waste and cost. 

In addition, Molly and Cam are skipping a traditional wedding party, and instead having one close friend each stand beside them during the ceremony. 

“I didn’t feel strongly about having all of our close friends stand beside us, since they’ll still be with us throughout the day,” Molly shared. “I also could then spend more of the budget on ceremony and reception florals instead of bouquets.”

#4) No posed photos. 

Coming from a wedding photographer, this deviation may shock you. Molly’s photography MO is rooted in capturing natural moments, not forcing them, and that’s how she wants her big day to unfold as well. She shared her vision with her own selected photographer and mentor, John Dolan. 

“Weddings have become about the photos,” Molly shared. “I want mine to be about my wedding, and the photographer just happens to capture it.” 

While the photos are sure to be carefully captured special moments, Molly did use her expert eye when selecting her venue to consider the lighting and surroundings that may influence the photography. 

#5) Trust your vendors implicitly.

From the florals to the photography and full-service planning, Molly shared a PSA to others in the throes of planning: Trust who you hire, and let them do their job during the big day. It’s also extremely helpful to have a full-service wedding planner to make sure everything goes off without a hitch. For this, Molly chose Modern Vintage Events.

“For my wedding, I’m excited to use vendors that I’ve worked with personally or long admired,” Molly said. “As a vendor myself, my biggest piece of advice would be to trust who you hire. From there, take a deep breath and enjoy your day!”