Summer + Artiside An Emotional Celebration of Cross-Cultural Love in Charlotte

Elle Danielle — Thu, 03 Jul 2025 01:41:48 +0000

Some love stories unfold quietly. Others demand attention.

Summer and Aristide’s love story began with a DM — a digital spark that crossed continents, defied a language barrier, and grew into something beautifully rare.

Their wedding wasn’t just a celebration of their love. It was a celebration of their patience, persistence, and decision to choose each other again and again, even when the odds were stacked against them.

From a DM to “I Do” — A Love Story Across Oceans

When Aristide first reached out to Summer, his messages were polite and surprisingly formal. It wasn’t until their first video call that she realized why — he barely spoke English. Every word he sent had been translated.

And that effort? It was everything.

Within four days of talking, he said he wanted to meet her. Three weeks later, he was on a flight from France to the U.S. A bold move from a quiet man with big intentions.

It wasn’t supposed to work. They lived in different countries. They didn’t speak the same language. Then COVID hit, and they were separated for 19 months. But somehow, they made it work — because they wanted it to.

A Sweet Surprise Proposal — Across Cultures and With Intention

In Aristide’s culture, proposals aren’t the dramatic, knee-dropping kind you see in movies. But Summer — a wedding planner who knew what mattered to her — made two requests: One, it had to be a surprise. And two, he had to get on one knee.

He took notes.

With the help of her close friends, Aristide invited Summer out for a casual dinner. There was nothing suspicious — just warm food and talk of Thanksgiving. But when her friend asked about wedding seating, Aristide approached her with a nervous smile, held up a finger, and said, “Summer, I have one question…”

He then dropped to one knee and asked, “Summer, will you married me?”

It wasn’t perfect English. But it was perfectly him. Of course, she said, “yes!”

According to Summer, one of most memorable moments from the day: “I’ve worked with Elle for years on weddings so when she walked into the hotel room, I was getting my makeup done and I started bawling. I didn’t cry when my best friends walked into the room. I didn’t cry when I put my gown on but I was BAWLING when Elle arrived. I think it made it real when she showed up. My idea of what I’ve wanted for a wedding has changed many many times but Elle being my photographer has never changed. Ever.

Whew. I have to figure out a way to work that into a testimonial!!

A Wedding Day Full of Joy in Charlotte, NC

As a destination wedding photographer, I get to witness beautiful love stories come together all across the country — but this Charlotte, NC wedding was something special.

Aristide was nervous until the first look. When he saw Summer — radiant and real — everything softened. She was anything but nervous. She laughed all day. Really, she glowed. “Every time I walked past a mirror, I gasped,” she said. “I couldn’t believe I was in a wedding dress.”

A Marriage Built on Effort, Not Perfection

What makes Summer and Aristide’s love extraordinary isn’t just the story — it’s the work behind it. They still speak different native languages. They still use Google Translate. But now they’re both learning each other’s language. They meet in the middle. They love in action. And they remember just how far they’ve come.

“I said during our first look, ‘We’re going to have such a beautiful life,’” Summer shared.
“And I believed it with my whole heart.”

A moment made the day even more meaningful: Aristide’s sister (looking gorgeous in her black pant suit below) flew in from Paris to be by his side. That kind of family presence, that kind of love? It’s the kind of thing that lingers long after the music stops.

Wedding Advice from a Bride Who Plans Them for a Living:

You don’t need everything to be perfect. You just need to be present.
Be kind. It’s your wedding day, but the next day still matters.
Grooms: Say yes. To the photo booth. To the dancing. To the little things your bride asks for. You won’t regret it.
Don’t go broke for a wedding. Love is the only thing worth the investment.

Summer and Aristide — thank you for trusting me to capture day. Your story is proof that love transcends distance, language, and tradition. And documenting the joy between you — that laughter, that stillness, that grace — was a privilege.

TRUSTED VENDORS: Planner: My Simply Perfect Events // VENUE: Grand Bohemian Charlotte, Autograph Collection // PHOTOGRAPHY: Elle Danielle // BRIDAL GOWN: Eloquii (with a lot of alterations!) // GROOM’S ATTIRE: Men’s Wearhouse // CATERING: Mico Restaurant // FLORALS: Cut at an Angle

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An Emotional Celebration of Cross-Cultural Love in Charlotte appeared first on Elle Danielle Photography.

Diane Nash Downtown Nashville Plaza Dedication

Elle Danielle — Mon, 15 Jul 2024 03:10:24 +0000

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Downtown Nashville Plaza Dedication appeared first on Elle Danielle Photography.

Kourtney + Gregory Savannah Engagement Session

Elle Danielle — Tue, 09 Jul 2024 18:34:22 +0000

Kourtney had not seen The Carswells since she was a little girl, but when she found out they would be in Savannah she wanted to see them. She had known the couple since she was a little girl and was a student in Mrs. Carswell’s summer Bible class. While catching up, Mrs. Carswell asked Kourtney if she was dating anyone at the time and she was not. With Kourtney’s best intentions in mind, Mrs. Carswell’s wheels started turning and she thought about Gregory who lived in Mobile, AL.

Mrs. Carswell quickly got to work. Even though she hadn’t talked to him in nearly four years, she called Gregory to confirm that he was also single. With her nudge of encouragement to them both, Kourtney and Gregory eventually found themselves on a call and the rest, as they say, is history.

Though they were both nervous, their first phone call lasted until late into the night, as they shared and discovered common interests. Each call was longer than the last, with them spending hours on the phone over the course of two months before deciding to meet in person.

In August 2021, Gregory drove eight hours from Mobile to Savannah and met Kourtney at Chili’s, the only restaurant open when he arrived. The two sat across the table from each other, too nervous to even make eye contact… But as you guessed, they were able to move past the akwardness and find the chemistry they shared over the phone. At the end of the date, they made their relationship official.

Over the months to follow, Kourtney and Gregory were creative with their long distance dating. “Together” they did everything from virtual escape games and watching movies and their favorite, studying the bible.

On February 12, 2022, Gregory took Kourtney to Fairhope, Alabama where they coincidentally ran into two of his fellow photographer friends. After trading tips on poses, his friend Megan suggested that Kourtney and Gregory act as a “test couple” for a few practice shots. They were instructed to stand back-to-back, take a few steps away from each other, turn and for Kourtney to “skip hop” into his arms. After a practice round of skipping, Kourtney turned to find Gregory on one knee.

Needless to say, she tearfully said, “yes!”

I travelled to Savannah, Georgia to capture this special moment in the very special relationship on camera. For me, the session was particularly special because it wasn’t the first time I worked with Kourtney; I photographed her college graduation from the University of Montevallo some years ago. Being trusted to capture two milestones is truly a blessing.

Be on the lookout for their beautiful Birmingham wedding at The Sonnet House!

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Savannah Engagement Session appeared first on Elle Danielle Photography.

Bakara + Jamal Love in the Fall

Elle Danielle — Fri, 19 Apr 2024 22:09:48 +0000

Online dating is the new norm, but stories about the experience are usually comical, somewhat traumatizing, or will leave you wondering whether the app effort is worth it. Every once in a while you come across a story where an app brought two people together who were truly meant for one another.

Bakara and Jamal are one of those lucky couples. They first connected on Bumble.com in early 2022 but quickly agreed they hated communicating via the app. They felt comfortable to move to face-to-face and planned to meet for a drink before heading to a concert featuring one of Bakara’s friends. Even though they had no expectations, they ended up hitting it off to the point that they never made it to the concert.

Over drinks, they learned how much they shared including their families being from the same place, several common interests, their morals and values, and everything in between. They also learned they shared a genuine love for travel and that they were both learning to speak French.

In June of 2023, they put their new shared French language knowledge and love of travel to practice when Bakara joined Jamal’s family on a trip to France for his niece’s sweet 16th birthday. Everyone but Bakara knew that Jamal had plans to propose!

Cue the necessary photoshoot at The Eiffel Tower. Jamal asked Bakara to turn around for an “artsy” photo and while her back was turned, he dropped to one knee. Of course, she gave him a resounding “yes!” They spent the next 10 days in Paris, Provence, Porto, and Lisbon celebrating their engagement.

Bakara and Jamal will get married this Fall, a season Bakara clearly loves

When asked about what they were looking forward to most, Bakara says, “I’m most looking forward to Jamal seeing me walk down the aisle and for all our family and friends to be together in one place. I’ve enjoyed planning my future with Jamal. I’m getting excited about all the great things to come!”

While Jamal, “is looking forward to enjoying each individual stage in our relationship. Dating, engagement, marriage, and celebrating with those closest to us. Also looking forward to building our own family and growing our lives together.”

Such a sweet, sweet couple. I can’t wait to be part of the next chapter of their love story!

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Love in the Fall appeared first on Elle Danielle Photography.

Nashville Young Enterprising Women Annual Mentoring Forum

Elle Danielle — Fri, 19 Apr 2024 22:04:14 +0000

While I love all events, those that uplift the next generation of leaders are especially close to my heart. The Young Enterprising Women Mentoring Forum Program, created by Monica Smily, President and Founder of the Enterprising Women Foundation, and locally led by Sharon Reynolds of Devmar Products does just that. The program is designed to help high school girls tap into their leadership potential, dream big dreams, and consider entrepreneurship or corporate leadership roles in STEAM-based fields.

This year’s program was held at Alliance Bernstein and included panel speakers, learning activities, and time with industry-leading mentors for the students.

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Annual Mentoring Forum appeared first on Elle Danielle Photography.

BWEW 2023 Summit by The Equity Alliance

Elle Danielle — Wed, 21 Feb 2024 18:24:51 +0000

Event coverage commissioned by Blk Creative Studio for The Equity Alliance.

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by The Equity Alliance appeared first on Elle Danielle Photography.

Santa James Holiday Experience at Cool Spring Galleria

Elle Danielle — Wed, 13 Dec 2023 03:28:57 +0000

Event coverage commissioned by MOJO Marketing.

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Holiday Experience at Cool Spring Galleria appeared first on Elle Danielle Photography.

BWEW Brunch 2023 By The Equity Alliance

Elle Danielle — Mon, 04 Dec 2023 21:32:48 +0000

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By The Equity Alliance appeared first on Elle Danielle Photography.

Jessica + Stan A Winter Wedding in Murfreesboro

Elle Danielle — Thu, 19 Oct 2023 18:38:36 +0000

Oftentimes, love finds you when you aren’t even looking for it. For Jessica and Stan, love found them when she was searching for furniture, of all things. Focused on finding the right pieces for her spare bedroom, Jessica didn’t notice a sales associate checking her out as she checked out headboards. When the associate closing the sale pointed this fact out, Jessica jokingly said she could give him her phone number from the purchase order.

She may have been joking, but Stan was serious. After his shift, he sent her a text and a week later they met for their first date.

On Valentine’s Day 2021, a little over a year after that first date, Stan asked Jessica to marry him. They had booked a few activities for the day but he told her that he needed to spend the afternoon taking care of some things. He assured her that they would do something special that evening, asking her to dress up for the night. When she arrived, he asked her to close her eyes before guiding her into the house, where her parents, her sister, his sister, his brother-in-law, and his niece and nephew waited. She was overwhelmed by the surprise and excitedly agreed to be his wife.

The co-worker who connected the two later shared that she felt God urging her to make the introduction. Jessica and Stan rest in knowing that their union was predestined by Him.

Jessica and Stan were married at the Fountains at Gateway in Murfreesboro, TN. She’s an event planner, so professional-level time and attention had been paid to ensuring solid vendors were in place for a seamless day. The one thing she couldn’t plan for was an ice and snowstorm two days before the wedding.

Middle Tennessee isn’t known to have particularly rough winters, but every few years a storm will pass through, causing havoc and closures. Thankfully, the snow started melting on the roads the morning of the wedding and with a team effort, dresses and suits were picked up and all of the vendors were able to make their way to the wedding site.

Jessica and Stan’s first look! …or perhaps her chance to make sure he was wearing the socks with her face

I loved the moment when they saw each other at the altar. Even though they saw each other earlier in the day for a first look, this moment was still special and full of emotion! Stan’s parents’ presence was missed due to their passing, but Jessica says, “It was a joyous feeling know that we married the person God meant for us.”

When asked about one special memory from the day, Jessica provided, “Our most memorable moment was being out in the snow for our post-ceremony pictures. It was super cold but it was also an invincible feeling to be standing there as husband and wife knowing that our life had just taken on a new beginning and new meaning.”

Of course… she left out all of the convincing I had to do to get them to trudge out into the cold — but it was 100% worth it. The snow was a beautiful backdrop for their smiles.

Jessica and Stan’s message to couples planning their day is, “Our advice is to savor the moments, especially your vow moment. Marriage can be tough sometimes but you always have to remember who and what brought you to that altar for your vows. So be present (as much as you can) when you stand there because its the moment that matters most. Also, have fun. It’s your day your way so enjoy it.”

The two look forward to growing together and growing their family. Since these photos were taken, Jessica and Stan have had a beautiful little boy and are loving every moment with him.

TRUSTED VENDORS: PLANNER: Jess Events by Design // VENUE: Fountains at Gateway // PHOTOGRAPHY: Elle Danielle // VIDEOGRAPHY: Laws of Ace // MUA: Jacquie Johnson // BRIDAL HAIR: Jae Warren // BRIDAL ATTIRE: Brides by Glitz // BRIDESMAIDS’ ATTIRE: Bella Bridesmaids + Brides by Glitz // GROOM’S ATTIRE: Brides by Glitz // CAKE: City Girl Treats // CATERING: Chef Batts + Pretty Plated // BARTENDER: Luxe Libations // FLORALS: Weddings Unlimited // MUSIC: DJ C-Lo // INVITATION SUITE: Jess Events by Design // DRAPING: Exquisite Appeal // PHOTOBOOTH: U Been Framed // BALLOON ART: Lolalloons

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A Winter Wedding in Murfreesboro appeared first on Elle Danielle Photography.

Dru + Tracey M.L. Rose Engagement Session

Elle Danielle — Mon, 04 Sep 2023 18:23:03 +0000

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M.L. Rose Engagement Session appeared first on Elle Danielle Photography.

Audience

Elle Danielle — Mon, 04 Sep 2023 17:49:10 +0000

Imagine you’re standing on a stage in front of a crowd, to talk about the things you’re most passionate about. Perhaps it’s your small business, your family… your faith. Perhaps you’re on that stage to share stories about the obstacles you’ve overcome to motivate others, or of your ideas about how to be more successful in business.

How many people would need to be in the audience for you to be excited? If you stood on that stage and looked out to see 100 faces smiling back at you, excited to hear what you had to say, how would you feel? Now, think about how many people would you need to impact for your message to be worthwhile? What if only one person’s life was positively impacted by the message you had to share? Would it have been a waste of time?

Your social media following is your audience.

Regardless of whether you’ve had an opportunity to be on a stage and even if that’s something you have no interest in doing, you have an audience. Your social media followers are the people who have voluntarily signed up to hear whatever you feel moved to share on any particular day. They are there to listen to what you’re passionate about, to learn from your mistakes, to share in your joys, or to support you through your struggles. There are no rules about what we have to share on social media, but the people who follow you are interested in what you choose to share.

Most of us have hundreds, if not thousands of followers… and yet, we question whether we have enough. We assign value to ourselves and others based on followers and chase after the coveted k (10,000+ instagram followers) like it’s the holy grail.

Please, stop valuing yourself based on how many followers the next person has. Celebrate those who show up to listen to what you have to say. Connect with those who support you.

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Ebone´ Vibrant Downtown Nashville Session

Elle Danielle — Mon, 04 Sep 2023 16:20:03 +0000

Every time Eboné and I get together for an influencer session, something special happens. Our sessions are only planned as far as her outfits and the general location – she and I give each other space to truly be creative – to be inspired by our environment and the beauty of the looks she’s brought with her.

Eboné is a clothing stylist and professor of African-American studies. She’s also a choreographer, so she brings movement to her posing and often wears pieces that highlight her love for dance. The result is images full of joy.

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Vibrant Downtown Nashville Session appeared first on Elle Danielle Photography.

Doughbird Pizza + Chicken

Elle Danielle — Tue, 29 Aug 2023 01:25:10 +0000

There’s nothing better than a good happy hour special. I recently discovered Doughbird, which effortlessly blends the style you’d expect from Nashville and solid, comforting food.

The beauty of Doughbird lies in its menu diversity, catering to a range of cravings that go beyond the traditional boundaries of a single cuisine. The options are as varied as the guests it welcomes. Imagine sinking your teeth into succulent rotisserie chicken – a classic done right. Or, consider savoring a slice of house-made pizza that boasts an irresistible medley of flavors and textures.

But back to happy hour — my first visit to Doughbird was to give their happy hour specials a try. Two particular concoctions caught my eye: the intriguing Spicy Blackberry Margarita and the The Local, which is a refreshing blend of strawberry vodka, lemon juice, sparkling wine, and grapefruit juice.

From the menu, the Sweet Potato & Brussels Sprout pizza caught my eye. It’s a unique combination that I would have never thought to put on a pizza, but each bite was a pleasant surprise.

So, if you’re on the hunt for a new spot that is as much family-friendly as it is appropriate for a girls night or date night, I wholeheartedly recommend giving Doughbird a try.

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Pizza + Chicken appeared first on Elle Danielle Photography.

Bohemian Bridal Reset Conference Styled Shoot at Magnolia Market

Elle Danielle — Fri, 14 Apr 2023 00:39:39 +0000

When you’re starting off as a wedding photographer, building a portfolio of high-quality images can be a daunting task. One effective way to get started is by participating in styled shoots. Styled shoots are pre-arranged photo sessions where photographers collaborate with other vendors, such as florists, makeup artists, and models, to create a specific theme or aesthetic. These shoots provide a low-pressure environment to experiment with posing, lighting, and camera settings while also providing an opportunity to build your portfolio with beautiful and diverse images.

Styled shoots are not a replacement for the experience of shooting an actual wedding, but they are a great starting point for novice photographers. They offer the opportunity to build confidence, develop technical skills, and get comfortable with the wedding portrait process. Additionally, styled shoots can be a great way for experienced photographers to push creative boundaries and experiment with new techniques, angles, and styles.

In this blog post, I’m sharing images from a bridal shoot that I styled and led at the Reset Conference in Waco, Texas. I was thrilled to teach photography business practices again and to also plan this shoot at the beautiful Magnolia Market, drawing inspiration for the shoot’s styling from the subtle bohemian elements found around the property. Each bride had a unique bouquet that I created, and we were fortunate to have beautiful wedding gowns and accessories provided by Luxe Bridal Nashville. The talented Diana Marie Makeup Artistry worked her magic to ensure our models, Trenina and Jess, looked beautiful.

Enjoy!

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Reset Conference Styled Shoot at Magnolia Market appeared first on Elle Danielle Photography.

Tyy Plus-Size Beauty Influencer

Elle Danielle — Thu, 13 Apr 2023 03:36:30 +0000

Ladies and gentlemen, allow me to introduce you to Tyy — a professional makeup artist who has come to several of my sessions to assist and retouch. She’s selflessly helped her clients look their best in front of the camera, all the while unbeknownst to me — she is quite fabulous in front of the camera herself.

Our shared client decided the night before her session that she just didn’t have it in her to be amazing and called Tyy up at 8 pm and offered the morning session to her. Even though she usually spends a few weeks pulling looks and planning for her sessions, she pulled it together and came ready to slay. Literally.

My favorite part — her client showed up to assist her!

Enjoy this handful of favorites from her session and be sure to give her a follow on Instagram to stay inspired.

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Plus-Size Beauty Influencer appeared first on Elle Danielle Photography.

In the Den Brown Mama Bear Gathering + Live Podcast

Elle Danielle — Thu, 16 Mar 2023 06:21:31 +0000

Event coverage commissioned by Brown Mama Bear.

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Brown Mama Bear Gathering + Live Podcast appeared first on Elle Danielle Photography.

TennSmart Mobility Expo + Test Drive

Elle Danielle — Thu, 16 Mar 2023 05:56:52 +0000

Event coverage commissioned by Blk Creative Studio for TennSmart.

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Mobility Expo + Test Drive appeared first on Elle Danielle Photography.

Senator Charlane Oliver TN State Legislature Swearing-In Ceremony

Elle Danielle — Thu, 16 Mar 2023 05:18:37 +0000

Event coverage commissioned by Blk Creative Studio for Senator Charlane Oliver.

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TN State Legislature Swearing-In Ceremony appeared first on Elle Danielle Photography.