Romantic Wedding at Whitehall Gardens

Beyond an iron gate, just as the leaves began to change in autumn, Claire (she/her) and Luke (he/him) were married in a secluded corner of Whitehall’s Florentine gardens. Soft, dappled light filtered through the trees, casting a romantic glow as they exchanged their vows.

I really loved the thoughtful & sentimental touches Claire incorporated into the day. She delicately embroidered a handkerchief to honor her grandmother's legacy as a seamstress, making it her 'something blue.' Additionally, she carried a beautiful locket from the 1920s, a gift from her grandmother, as her 'something old.' These elements not only added to the beauty of the day but also ensured her grandmother's presence and love were felt throughout the celebration.

Claire and Luke, both introverts, were most excited about the intimate moments of the day— those quiet exchanges between just the two of them were also some of my favorites. To ensure a relaxed experience, ample time was set aside for portraits before the ceremony, allowing the couple to enjoy the afternoon without feeling rushed. As a result, their genuine excitement really comes through in their images.

The presence of a live artist added a unique element to the celebration. While we explored the gardens for their first look and portraits, Katie Nelson began a stunning oil painting of Claire & Luke in front of the garden's iron gates. As they shared their first kiss and joyfully walked back down the aisle, she put the finishing touches on the artwork. The final piece was vibrant and full of movement — striking a balance between realism and Impressionism. For the reception, Katie transitioned into creating watercolor portraits of the guests, allowing them to take home a personalized memento of the day's festivities. This is possibly the best wedding favor I’ve ever seen and all of their guests were so excited to show their portraits to each other throughout the night.

A color scheme of white, sage, and eucalyptus added to the timeless romance of the day while allowing the natural beauty of the gardens to shine through.

As a Louisville, Kentucky wedding photographer, I always love the chance to photograph a wedding at Whitehall! If you want to see more venues that feature gardens, check out my list of the best wedding venues in Louisville here. Or you can hop over to Amanda & Natalie’s wedding at Yew Dell Botanical Gardens here.

These Louisville, KY wedding vendors made the day possible:

• Coordinator: Emily Birk

• Venue: Historic Whitehall House & Gardens

• Florals: J.Elizabeth Designs

• Live Artist: Katie Nelson

• Hair & MUA: Hair and Makeup by Misty

• Catering: Mirabelle Catering

• Cake: Sweet Surrender

• Claire’s Gown: Couture Closet

• Suits: Generation Tux 

• Wedding Party Dresses: Azazie

• Videography: Joyce Barbour for Sarah Katherine Davis Photography

• Photography: Sarah Katherine Davis Photography

• DJ: Masters of Music

• Officiant: Judge Joan Byer

Speed Art Museum Wedding

Today I’m sharing a truly beautiful wedding I had the privilege of photographing this fall. Katie (she/her) and Ruben (he/him) curated a celebration that was elegant, artistic, and a whole lot of fun.

As a Louisville, Kentucky wedding photographer, I was beyond thrilled to capture the timeless beauty and romance of this day. The Speed Art Museum’s stunning architecture provided the most picturesque background, further enhancing the “classic meets modern” vibe. The play of light and shadow, the intricate details— everything was gorgeous.

Katie was radiant in her chic gown from Jenny Yoo and Ruben looked extremely dapper in his classic tuxedo.

For their ceremony, Katie and Ruben stood in the exact same spot where Katie's parents and grandparents exchanged their wedding vows. This really added an extra layer of sentimental magic to the whole event.

Katie and Ruben wanted their wedding to have an elegant and timeless feel, while still being true to themselves. The flowers, lovingly crafted by Botanica, were not just beautiful, but almost sculptural— the design added an elevated & artistic touch to their decor.

The festivities continued with a vibrant cocktail hour, where the melodies of a mariachi band filled the air, creating an atmosphere brimming with joy and excitement. During this time, I had the chance to capture candid moments of laughter and heartfelt embraces as family and friends were able to reconnect.

Each guest was greeted at their seat with a Please and Thank you cookie, a sweet gesture that perfectly encapsulated their warm and gracious personalities— while also celebrating a Louisville favorite! 

Best Kept Secret Live filled the reception with energy & excitement and kept the dance floor packed all night long. One of my last photos of the night was Katie & Ruben embracing beneath the shimmering disco ball— surrounded by all their family and friends.

I hope as you scroll through these images, you feel some of the warmth and joy that permeated Katie and Ruben's celebration. If you’re looking for a photographer to document your own wedding day, I would love to help you capture memories that reflect your unique personality and style! Contact me here or check out some of my other favorite Louisville wedding venues here.

These Louisville, Kentucky wedding vendors made the day possible:

Wedding Coordinator: Stephanie MacDonald with Planned Perfection // Reception Band: Best Kept Secret Live // Floral Design: Botanica // Catering: Wiltshire Pantry // Katie’s Wedding Gown: Jenny Yoo // Wedding Party Attire: Men's Warehouse & Birdy Grey // Rings: Donna Jewelry // Katie’s Makeup: Color in the Ville // Wedding Party Makeup: Southern Bridal Styles // Ceremony Location: Anchorage Presbyterian // Photography: Sarah Katherine Davis Photography // Venue: Speed Art Museum // Cookies: Please and Thank You // Videography: Joyce Barbour for Sarah Katherine Davis Photography

Autumn Red River Gorge Hiking Elopement

Is there anything more romantic than leaves crunching under your feet, the smell of fall in the crisp air, & light filtering through colorful foliage as you walk down a trail you’ve never explored before? As I drafted up a few options for how we could spend Kate & Ben’s elopement day I had that idea in mind, but of course it ended up being even more magical than I could have imagined. We spent the afternoon hiking a couple of different trails and were rewarded with stunning views that included a sea of yellow leaves floating along a stream that led to an arch across the water, deeply textured lichen-covered sandstone, and a waterfall surrounded by golden leaves where Kate & Ben pulled off their boots to wade and dance in the water. We saved the cliffside trail for sunset and they watched the sky turn from red to magenta to blue. They snuggled on their blanket as the moon rose. We drove the windy road back to their cabin and shared potato soup on their porch from a safe, responsible, distance. Ben got a fire going and they ended the night enjoying s’mores under the stars.

My spouse Joyce captured video of the day as well which gave the whole experience a very double-date feel that I highly recommend. We swapped stories of our favorite trips—they also love Peru. They hiked the Inca Trail when they visited which isn’t accessible during the rainy season when I was there...so now I’m looking forward to another visit if I can convince Joyce that hiking for several days at a high elevation is a fun idea. 

As is the case with most weddings right now, this wasn’t the original plan for the day. At first, they were going to have a more traditional ceremony & reception at Yew Dell Botanical Gardens in September and then we were going to go to RRG the next day for a day-after session. In June, they asked if I’d be free for a backyard wedding in a couple of weeks. Everything came together quickly & beautifully and they were able to have a small backyard ceremony with their closest friends and family that Joyce and I were able to document. They were still going to wait and see if in September it would be safe enough to have a larger group gather for a reception. As the date got closer and it became apparent that it was not getting any safer, our current plan was formed. Their ability to go with the flow, never get discouraged, and to focus on the most important parts of it all reminded me why I love what I do. Kate was in the middle of finishing up school & getting her nurse practitioner license while all of this was happening. I am beyond impressed that she managed to juggle it all with so much grace and compassion. 

For all of you who are planning your wedding or elopement during this chaotic time— focus on each other, embrace adventure, and everything else won’t seem quite as daunting. Hint: It helps to have a photographer who is down to help you dream and plan your perfect day. This elopement planning guide is also full of resources to help you along the way and I also have an elopement guide specific to Red River Gorge here!