HomeAboutBlogGalleriesReviewsInvestmentWorkshopsPaymentsRegistryContact

Welcome to my Blog

Hi, I'm Julie ... artist, photographer, potter, etc. I am so happy you are here! I consider this blog my creative journal where I can share my recent work, ideas and dreams, and lots of little details about my life. Please make yourself at home. Whether you are a bride-to-be, a photographer, or just a visitor, I hope you will find inspiration here and even become a friend.

Wedding :: Stephanie Dowdy and Michael Davis :: The Lily Barn, Townsend, Tennessee

If you love creative people and weddings with lots of artsy thoughtful details then this post is perfect for you!  I have been so excited about this wedding ever since I first met with Stephanie and Michael.  Stephanie just finished up grad school with a degree in Art Education and Michael is an architect with Sanders Pace Architecture.  As couples go they are the perfect blend of artsy, adorable, and absolutely in love.   And that combination, my friends, is the recipe for perfect photos. 

Three adjectives that describe your wedding day are:

(Stephanie) fun, perfect, intimate (Michael) southern, simple, modern


Stephanie Dowdy and Michael Davis :: The Lily Barn, Townsend, Tennessee, Julie Roberts Photography

Did you have any favorite vendors?   (Stephanie) We love White Orchid, Colleen Moore, because she designed the perfect wedding dress and hair piece for me to wear.


Stephanie Dowdy and Michael Davis :: The Lily Barn, Townsend, Tennessee, Julie Roberts Photography

That's right, Stephanie's dress and hair piece were made from scratch by Colleen with White Orchid Bridal.  The inspiration came from a dress Audrey Hepburn wore in "Funny Face".  And Colleen modernized the look with some amazing fluffy, ruffled flower detail on the side.  It gave the oh-so-chic look of the dress the perfectly unexpected touch of whimsy that was so "Stephanie"!

Stephanie Dowdy and Michael Davis :: The Lily Barn, Townsend, Tennessee, Julie Roberts Photography

Bride’s Shoes: Alex Marie


Stephanie Dowdy and Michael Davis :: The Lily Barn, Townsend, Tennessee, Julie Roberts Photography

Accessories: David Yurman Bracelet; vintage earrings borrowed from my Step-mom Sabrina; vintage minors cut gold ring given to me by my mother Barbara


Stephanie Dowdy and Michael Davis :: The Lily Barn, Townsend, Tennessee, Julie Roberts Photography

Stephanie Dowdy and Michael Davis :: The Lily Barn, Townsend, Tennessee, Julie Roberts Photography

Stephanie Dowdy and Michael Davis :: The Lily Barn, Townsend, Tennessee, Julie Roberts Photography

Another favorite vendor: The Lily Barn because they make it so easy to have a beautiful wedding and you can get it all in one place!


Stephanie Dowdy and Michael Davis :: The Lily Barn, Townsend, Tennessee, Julie Roberts Photography

Stephanie Dowdy and Michael Davis :: The Lily Barn, Townsend, Tennessee, Julie Roberts Photography

Any unexpected surprised on the day-of?  (Michael)  Stephanie and her girls being late for pictures.  I was also surprised by how easy everything went after the wedding started.

Stephanie Dowdy and Michael Davis :: The Lily Barn, Townsend, Tennessee, Julie Roberts Photography

Groom's attire: J. Crew pants, shirt, vest; Gingham tie by The Belle and the Beau; tie clip Buster and Boo


Stephanie Dowdy and Michael Davis :: The Lily Barn, Townsend, Tennessee, Julie Roberts Photography

Stephanie Dowdy and Michael Davis :: The Lily Barn, Townsend, Tennessee, Julie Roberts Photography

What were you most looking forward to about your wedding day? (Michael) Seeing Stephanie in her wedding dress (Stephanie) Having all of our friends and family in the same place at the same time!


Stephanie Dowdy and Michael Davis :: The Lily Barn, Townsend, Tennessee, Julie Roberts Photography

Stephanie Dowdy and Michael Davis :: The Lily Barn, Townsend, Tennessee, Julie Roberts Photography

Stephanie Dowdy and Michael Davis :: The Lily Barn, Townsend, Tennessee, Julie Roberts Photography

Stephanie Dowdy and Michael Davis :: The Lily Barn, Townsend, Tennessee, Julie Roberts Photography

Was there a moment when you knew you were in love? (Stephanie) I knew I loved him after three weeks meeting him. I was on the phone with my friend and I told her I thought he was the one. (Michael) I think I knew I loved her when I asked her to be my girlfriend the day after Valentine’s day (2007).


Stephanie Dowdy and Michael Davis :: The Lily Barn, Townsend, Tennessee, Julie Roberts Photography

Stephanie Dowdy and Michael Davis :: The Lily Barn, Townsend, Tennessee, Julie Roberts Photography

Stephanie Dowdy and Michael Davis :: The Lily Barn, Townsend, Tennessee, Julie Roberts Photography

Describe the proposal: Our proposal wasn’t super romantic, but it was still a sweet day. We were in NYC visiting our friend Beth and we had spent the day at the Natural History Museum and then we stumbled on the Imagine memorial for John Lennon in Central Park on John’s birthday. We then went to have dinner at Beth’s restaurant and somehow marriage came up in our conversation and we decided it was time. I told Michael I didn’t believe him unless he told Beth. I came back from the restroom and Beth was at our table and when I sat down he told her we were engaged!


Stephanie Dowdy and Michael Davis :: The Lily Barn, Townsend, Tennessee, Julie Roberts Photography

What was your biggest day-of crisis and how did you handle it?  It started to rain during our pictures before the wedding and everyone was worried it would rain during the ceremony. We had to make the call to either move the wedding to the pavilion or chance it and leave the chairs where they were. We decided to chance it, and we are very glad we did because it didn’t rain again at all that day!


Stephanie Dowdy and Michael Davis :: The Lily Barn, Townsend, Tennessee, Julie Roberts Photography

Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Alfred Sung


Stephanie Dowdy and Michael Davis :: The Lily Barn, Townsend, Tennessee, Julie Roberts Photography

What was your favorite thing about planning your wedding? How simple it was. We really didn’t fret about little details that wouldn’t matter in the end.

Stephanie Dowdy and Michael Davis :: The Lily Barn, Townsend, Tennessee, Julie Roberts Photography

Stephanie Dowdy and Michael Davis :: The Lily Barn, Townsend, Tennessee, Julie Roberts Photography

Stephanie Dowdy and Michael Davis :: The Lily Barn, Townsend, Tennessee, Julie Roberts Photography

Hand stitched guest book made by yours truly!

Stephanie Dowdy and Michael Davis :: The Lily Barn, Townsend, Tennessee, Julie Roberts Photography

Another favorite vendor:  All of our paper products (invitations, programs, etc) that Fourth Year Studio did for us.

Stephanie Dowdy and Michael Davis :: The Lily Barn, Townsend, Tennessee, Julie Roberts Photography

Stephanie Dowdy and Michael Davis :: The Lily Barn, Townsend, Tennessee, Julie Roberts Photography

Stephanie Dowdy and Michael Davis :: The Lily Barn, Townsend, Tennessee, Julie Roberts Photography

What was the most emotional part of the day for you? (Stephanie) Walking down the aisle with both of my parents and then seeing Michael look like he was about to cry. (Michael) Watching Stephanie walk down the aisle with her parents.


Stephanie Dowdy and Michael Davis :: The Lily Barn, Townsend, Tennessee, Julie Roberts Photography

Stephanie Dowdy and Michael Davis :: The Lily Barn, Townsend, Tennessee, Julie Roberts Photography

Stephanie Dowdy and Michael Davis :: The Lily Barn, Townsend, Tennessee, Julie Roberts Photography

Ceremony venue & Florist: The Lily Barn


Stephanie Dowdy and Michael Davis :: The Lily Barn, Townsend, Tennessee, Julie Roberts Photography

What was the best thing about the whole day? (Michael & Stephanie) Walking away from the ceremony to the Beatles song The Two of Us with everyone throwing flowers at us!


Stephanie Dowdy and Michael Davis :: The Lily Barn, Townsend, Tennessee, Julie Roberts Photography

Stephanie Dowdy and Michael Davis :: The Lily Barn, Townsend, Tennessee, Julie Roberts Photography

Stephanie Dowdy and Michael Davis :: The Lily Barn, Townsend, Tennessee, Julie Roberts Photography

Stephanie Dowdy and Michael Davis :: The Lily Barn, Townsend, Tennessee, Julie Roberts Photography

Stephanie Dowdy and Michael Davis :: The Lily Barn, Townsend, Tennessee, Julie Roberts Photography

Stephanie Dowdy and Michael Davis :: The Lily Barn, Townsend, Tennessee, Julie Roberts Photography

Did you do any DIY projects? A LOT! So much of our wedding was done by hand! Almost all of our decorations were made by Michael & I with the help of family and friends. I (Stephanie) made the Mr. & Mrs. Banner. I made both of my garters. My bridesmaid Beth Costello made all of the desserts and had them flown to Tennessee from NYC.


Stephanie Dowdy and Michael Davis :: The Lily Barn, Townsend, Tennessee, Julie Roberts Photography

Wedding Cake Baker: Bethany Costello (bridesmaid)


Stephanie Dowdy and Michael Davis :: The Lily Barn, Townsend, Tennessee, Julie Roberts Photography

Stephanie Dowdy and Michael Davis :: The Lily Barn, Townsend, Tennessee, Julie Roberts Photography

Stephanie Dowdy and Michael Davis :: The Lily Barn, Townsend, Tennessee, Julie Roberts Photography

Stephanie Dowdy and Michael Davis :: The Lily Barn, Townsend, Tennessee, Julie Roberts Photography

-Any unexpected surprises on the day-of? (Stephanie) During my father-daughter dance my Dad asked my Uncle Shawn to step in and finish the dance with me. I was totally surprised, but it really meant a lot to get to dance with him since he has been the second most important man in my life besides my father. 


Stephanie Dowdy and Michael Davis :: The Lily Barn, Townsend, Tennessee, Julie Roberts Photography

Stephanie Dowdy and Michael Davis :: The Lily Barn, Townsend, Tennessee, Julie Roberts Photography

Stephanie Dowdy and Michael Davis :: The Lily Barn, Townsend, Tennessee, Julie Roberts Photography

Stephanie Dowdy and Michael Davis :: The Lily Barn, Townsend, Tennessee, Julie Roberts Photography

What was the funniest thing that happened? (Stephanie) Having to have all of my bridesmaids help me use the restroom because my dress had so many layers!


Stephanie Dowdy and Michael Davis :: The Lily Barn, Townsend, Tennessee, Julie Roberts Photography

Stephanie Dowdy and Michael Davis :: The Lily Barn, Townsend, Tennessee, Julie Roberts Photography

What was the biggest wedding planning crisis and how did you handle it? Music. We could not decide on what we wanted and really put it off until the last minute. We then remembered that an acquaintance of ours had access to dj equipment and he had the same taste in music as us. I’m so glad we decided to use Zach Waldrop!


Stephanie Dowdy and Michael Davis :: The Lily Barn, Townsend, Tennessee, Julie Roberts Photography

Stephanie Dowdy and Michael Davis :: The Lily Barn, Townsend, Tennessee, Julie Roberts Photography
 

What do you think? Leave me some feedback!

Your Name
Mar 11, 2014Sophia Gonzalez
What color are those alfred sung bridesmaid dresses?
Feb 12, 2014Jennifer Anderson
Hi, I love these pictures. I was wondering where the groom got his tie? It is the exact one I am looking for! Could you let me know? Thank you so much, jen_ben55@hotmail.com
May 15, 2012Diana Fetterman
Beautiful pictures, so natural, what a wedding should be.
Aug 17, 2011Kisha Ledlow
These are absolutely perfect!
Aug 13, 2011Bethany Costello
Beautiful pictures. I love all of them!
Aug 12, 2011Larry and Mary Davis
Julie, we love the photos! Thanks for capturing this special event for our families! We will treasure these memories for years to come.
Aug 12, 2011Val Sigmon
Well done!
Aug 12, 2011Kristin Carter
All of the pictures are amazing but my favorite is the last one of Stephanie dancing! Such a beautiful wedding.
Aug 11, 2011Carrie
These are the sweetest wedding photos ever and the dress is amazing!
Aug 11, 2011Jacob Price
So glad to get to attend!
Aug 11, 2011Bethany Robertson
Such a beautiful wedding and a wonderful couple!
Aug 11, 2011Tiffany Trussell
Your wedding was absolutely gorgeous! I love the centerpieces and your wedding dress!
Aug 11, 2011Amanda Sharp
Absolutely beautiful wedding pictures such sweet moments captured through out this special day! Love the comments between the pictures. Stephanie and Michael you two share a beautiful kind of love:)
Aug 11, 2011Kate
fantastic photos! (of course, you had really awesome subjects to work with!) i adore the way you captured the sweetest, most tender moments.
Aug 11, 2011Danielle E.
LOVE all the photos! I wish I could have been there, but so happy to see the wedding through Julie's artistic eye- it definitely seems perfect! Love all the tender and intimate moments between Steph, Micheal and their families, as well as the Stephanie and Michael's comments about the day! Perfect
Aug 11, 2011Meredith Dillard
Julie you did a beautiful job. We were unable to attend the wedding but after looking at the pictures I feel like I got a beautiful glimpse into Stephanie and Michael's day.
Aug 9, 2011Barbara Sterback (MOB)
Julie these are beautiful. You and your girls have captured the unique yet traditional aspect of their wedding. Two very talented young people have come together. I think we can expect great things. Thank you for capturing this day so well.
Aug 8, 2011John M.
These photos are exquisite. The entire wedding party looked wonderful, and the photos definitely captured it phenomenally. Congrats guys!
Aug 8, 2011kristen tanakatsubo
love the photos and the dress and all the details! you and michael are the cutest!
Aug 8, 2011Colleen Moore
Oh wow.. I have to say you captured the wedding! Just awesome Julie!
 

Back to Top • Copyright © 2024, Julie Roberts Photography. All Rights Reserved.