Doesn’t the above image make you wish for rain on your wedding day? Captured by Morgan Trinker Photography, Maren and Quint were married in a gorgeous art museum ceremony on a slightly rainy May day in Auburn, Alabama. The couple had planned on an outdoor, garden wedding, but they moved the event inside due to a good old southern downpour. Of course, the museum ceremony and reception spaces were magnificent, and the stunning portrait above would not have been possible without the rain! The bridesmaids all looked lovely in varying shades of pink, and Maren stuns in her sleek Jenny Packham gown. This art themed wedding was bursting with artistic and personal details from start to finish. I love the board of portraits of the couple drawn by their family and friends. Be sure to read more about the inspiration and execution of this fabulous wedding below!

A few words from the bride:

Quint and I wanted our wedding to be a fun party about two people in love with art at its center. My mother is an artist, so it’s been a huge part of my life. She used to volunteer to teach art class at my elementary school when I was growing up. She was famous for rebutting kids who said, “I can’t draw/paint/do this project” with “You are an artist.” I’ve always loved how she sees beauty and art in everything and everyone. So, we tried to see every aspect of the wedding as art—from photography to food to clothes to venue.

The most important thing to us was that our guests had a great time and felt comfortable. I woke up in a panic a few weeks before the wedding wondering if people would want to dance. I made my bridesmaids promise that they would, so guests wouldn’t feel crazy being the first ones out on the floor. At the reception, as a chanting, clapping dance mob/circle formed around me and my cousin Scott, I realized that worry had been a silly one.

For DIY projects: My mother and I worked on creating the ceremony programs together. We used a floral monoprint she made as the cover and I hand lettered the inside. Quint and my father helped to put them together, competing to see who could tie the ribbons the best. We asked members of the bridal party to draw portraits of us as a couple and ended up with hilarious drawings—the two of us as monsters, animals, robots and bagels. We displayed these along with some of the art made by us as children on an easel. To our joy, the daughter of a close friend showed up to the wedding with her own drawing of “Marin and Qwit” that we can’t wait to frame and hang up. It is a family tradition on my mother’s side to have a picture taken in my great-grandmother’s wedding dress before your own wedding. We displayed photos of all of the prior wearers of the dress alongside a photo of me and my great-grandmother at the reception.

In my mind, I planned an outdoor garden ceremony followed by outdoor dancing on a moonlit patio draped in beautiful, sparkling globe lighting. In Alabama’s mind, May 12th was a great day for a southern downpour. At the last minute, we decided to move the wedding inside. I was disappointed, but, I think it probably made the wedding better. The ceremony was in a smaller space than we had planned, so all of our guests were close together, creating a feeling of intimacy. The rain went on and on all night, but it set the scene for our very favorite picture of all time–a picture of me and Quint under a clear umbrella surrounded by light and a thousand raindrops, taken by the best photographer of all time, Morgan Trinker.

My very favorite part of the day was the ceremony and the moments right before and after it. Every emotion and moment felt so heightened. I couldn’t wait to see Quint. I felt like I hadn’t seen him in forever. I was so happy standing arm-in-arm with my dad. It was incredibly fun to be with all of my best friends at the same time and have them laughing (and crying) with me. I remember how powerful a feeling it was to say our vows to each other and I love seeing the dumb grins plastered on our faces as we walked back down the aisle.

I’ve decided that your wedding day really is everything that you hear people say. It is a giant whirlwind. It is beautiful and perfect no matter what goes wrong. It is lots and lots of emotions. But, there is also this part of the whole experience that I have a hard time describing. You have all of these people in one room who truly want to be there to see you make this big, huge life step. They genuinely want to share in your joy and love. And that experience is worth all the trips to flea markets and Michael’s and the ungodly number of pins on your “Wedding” Pinterest.

Photographer: Morgan Trinker Photography
Caterer: Ursula’s Catering
Event Planner: Lynn Huggins
Ceremony + Reception Venue: Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art
Invitation Designer: Lucky Luxe Couture Correspondence
Bridal Gown Designer: Jenny Packham Bridal
Bridal Gown Store: Kelly’s Closet
Bridal Shoes: Kate Spade
Tuxedo + Mens Attire: Jos. A Bank
Groom’s Shoes: Cole Haan
Earring Designer: Kendra Scott
Wedding/Engagement Ring: Tiffany & Co.
Bridesmaid Dress Designer: Bridesmaids chose and wore their own dresses
Cake Designer: Ursula Higgins
Floral Designer: Stanley Sistrunk at The Flower Store
Makeup Artist: Amy Camp
Hair Stylist: Melissa Tatum
Band: Kidd Blue
Officiant: The Reverend John Fritschner

All images by Morgan Trinker Photography
Submitted via Two Bright Lights