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:

Yew Dell Botanical Gardens Wedding

Last June, amidst blooming oak-leaf hydrangeas and sprigs of verbena swaying on the breeze, Amanda (she/her) and Natalie (she/her) exchanged vows at Yew Dell Botanical Gardens. When asked about their vision, they described a wedding that was relaxed, fun, and true to who they are as a couple. When the day arrived, their celebration was full of joy, and focused on soaking up quality time with the folks who've been cheering them on throughout the years.

Amanda's creativity shines in everything she does, whether it's concocting new cookie recipes, making art projects with their children, or arranging flowers from their garden. Natalie is a self-described dabbler, with a wide range of hobbies including woodworking, gardening, DIY home projects, and delving into historical fiction. They complement each other perfectly, creating a balance that is evident in every aspect of their lives.

Their friends played an integral role in the day's festivities, from creating stunning dusty-desert inspired floral arrangements to thoughtfully officiating the intimate ceremony. It was heartwarming to witness everyone coming together to make the day even more meaningful, whether it was through lending a helping hand in setting up the venue, sharing heartfelt stories during the speeches, or simply being there to support Amanda and Natalie every step of the way.

I admire how connected Amanda and Natalie are to their community. They co-own Penny and Pearl's Bakeshop and are passionate about supporting other small businesses. Witnessing them extend that same love and support to their wedding vendors was truly inspiring.

When Amanda and Natalie initially reached out to me, they expressed their desire for a photographer who could capture their wedding day in a unique and natural way. They wanted someone who understood their vision and could document their love story with an inclusive and timeless approach. I am honored that they recognized those qualities in my work.

As the night drew to a close and most guests had departed, Amanda and Natalie realized they hadn't shared a first dance, and the sound system had already been packed away. Undeterred, we pulled up their song on a phone, and beneath the twinkling stars, they shared that memorable moment. As the music faded, their friends joined them on the dance floor, enveloping them in a massive group hug—a perfect ending to a day overflowing with support, love, and an unmistakable sense of community.

The KY Wedding Vendors who made the day magical:

wedding attire:

To see another Queer Louisville wedding filled with joy, check out Rebecca & Charlotte’s colorful day here. Or if you want to see another Louisville wedding venue that is surrounded by nature, check out Karen & Jeremy’s Parklands wedding.

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

Sarah Katherine Davis (she/they) is an award-winning, inclusive wedding and elopement photographer based in Louisville, Kentucky. Specializing in authentic and candid photography, Sarah creates intimate, joyous, and genuine imagery through a timeless blend of documentary and fine art approaches. With a strong commitment to fairness and inclusion, she loves working with other LGBTQ+ couples and individuals of any race, body size, or ability. Recognized as The Knot's Best of Weddings pick for KY by reviewers for ten years, Sarah is dedicated to thoughtfully capturing your unique love story.

Louisville Wedding Photographer // Kentucky Wedding Photographer