On January 1st, 2022, my best friend Ashley and I woke up in our adorable Airbnb and got ready for the eleven-hour day ahead of us for this Hyatt Centric Memphis Wedding. The night before, I spent time photographing the rehearsal dinner at Beale Street Landing. Then, we enjoyed Sekisui Midtown for dinner. (One of my FAVES and one mile away from our Airbnb!)
Cassidy and Eric met on March 4th, 2017. Each had been invited to celebrate a wedding; Eric was invited by the groom and Cassidy by the bride. Cassidy writes that she almost didn’t attend the wedding as she had accepted a new job but had already RSVP’d, so she attended. Meant to be?!
They met at the reception after being sat at the same table.
Cassidy says it was an instant connection! Three months later, they had a first date. Eric incorporated Cassidy’s love of ping pong, and she says she knew they would be together forever!
I’ve known Cassidy and Eric for a little over one year now. Eric and I connected when he contacted me to photograph his surprise proposal to Cassidy at The Friends Experience in Chicago (The One In Chicago). We hit it off, and they wanted Ashlee Cole Photography for their wedding day! I was beyond excited to be by their side along with Shindigs by Sheril, and I got to visit my hometown of Memphis, Tennessee.
Rain was forecasted for the entire day, such a bummer, but we approached with open minds that we would still get amazing photos and we did! The Hyatt Centric is new to downtown Memphis, and does not disappoint. We were fully expecting the usual banquet room but what we got was so much better!
Eric had unique mugs made for their “Friends” proposal in Chicago.
Inside the venue space is exposed brick and floor-to-ceiling windows letting in what light was filtering through the thick clouds in the sky. We met the video team and decided on a space to work on details photos, robe photos, and getting ready spots.
The rain did pause for a moment and we were able to venture outside. Anytime we can go out into natural light, we’ll take it! We went full on Vogue for full wedding party portraits. Our job as professionals is to make sure downers (the rain) don’t ruin a wedding day, rain or shine! We are so thankful to Cassidy and Eric for putting their complete trust in us.
Suddenly, it was time for the ceremony. I photographed the Ketubah signing while Ashley photographed ceremony details. The florals by Holliday Events were absolutely stunning around the acrylic Chuppah. We couldn’t get enough details for this New Year’s Day wedding!
The ceremony was beautiful and full of joyful emotions! Cassidy and Eric share a beautiful dog together and named him Ross. (After David Schwimmer’s character Ross from Friends.) Ross brought the rings down the aisle and was the absolute sweetest during photos and his ceremony debut! I am always in support of having doggies at the wedding.
Hyatt Centric Memphis Wedding
The ceremony led us into cocktail hour which was a blast, complete with a yummy cocktail named after Ross. Guests enjoyed themselves and charcuterie boards throughout the room which overlooked the Mississippi River with the Hernando-Desoto bridge lights twinkling in the distance.
This was by far the coolest reception we had seen! There was no specific head table or seating chart. The cakes were placed underneath the Chuppah and lounge areas around the dance floor facing the live band set. In the back of the room were two buffets, cocktail tables, and more lounge space for guests to relax in a quieter space.
First dances are always great. Cassidy and Eric put on an incredible choreographed first dance that stole the evening! No Jewish wedding is complete without the Hora!! We closed out the night with portraits on the rooftop of the Hyatt Centric, a glow stick exit, and send off in the Rolls Royce.
Ashley and I brought this Hyatt Centric Memphis Wedding day to life in photo and video working with Message In A Bottle Productions. As a team we captured it all, from the sweet photo of Cassidy’s mother on her bouquet to their send-off. Ashley and I truly enjoyed every moment of their day and can’t believe we weren’t feeling the usual exhaustion by hour ten.
Four years, a sweet pup named Ross, a new house, and a lovely wedding later.
Vendor Team
Photography – Ashlee Cole Photography and The Ashlee and Ashley
Videography – Message In A Bottle Productions
Planning – Shindigs by Sheril
Florals and Decor – Holliday Events
Venue – Hyatt Centric Beale Street Memphis
Hair – Annie Coates
Makeup – Kendrick Simpson
Dress – Maggie Louise
Photobooth – Marcy Milman Productions
Jewelry – Suzy B Jewelry
Band – Emerald Empire Band