Southern Weddings

Since early 2012, I’ve been photographing weddings alongside my husband throughout Alabama and the Southeastern USA. Together, we endeavor to document each and every wedding with an eye for authenticity and thoroughness. Aside from delivering beautiful photographs, we believe in creating a remarkable experience for our couples, and feel so blessed to be invited to share in their once-in-a-lifetime moments.

Name: Haley Bilunas
Where you call home: Birmingham, AL. The Magic City is where my husband and I met, fell in love, and welcomed our little one into the world… it’s a joy to call this place our home.
Things you’d write home to your Momma about: I was named Southern Weddings’ Piney Winner for Best Film Photographer in 2017! I’ve also been featured on Ruffled, 100 Layer Cake, Brides, Grey Likes Weddings, Every Last Detail, and The Southeastern Bride.
Location/Coverage: Serving Alabama and the Southeast; travel to other destinations welcomed.
How I got into weddings: Though I received my degree in art with a concentration in photography from UA (Roll Tide!), a career as a wedding photographer took me by complete surprise. While working at a local coffeehouse following college, a dear coworker got engaged and asked if I’d be interested in photographing her wedding; the rest, as they say, is history!
Favorite thing about weddings in the South? I feel like one thing that makes the South so unique is how deeply rooted most folks are in their communities… they honor their legacies. And Southern brides (especially) can already envision pieces from their wedding days as heirlooms — passed from their hands to future generations.
Favorite part of a wedding day? Having been in our couples’ shoes not too long ago, I always share that my favorite part of our very own wedding day was the first look. So much of the day was a blur, but that was the one moment where the memory is so clear and vivid — we were fully present, and it was so intimate and special. Of course some of our brides and grooms forgo the first look, and I still love those first moments they lay eyes on one another, too!
Best piece of advice you can give to brides and grooms? That no matter what, they don’t lose sight of the true priority while wedding planning — their marriage, not the event.
Dream travel destination? Italy
Favorite Southern city? I have an extra special place in my heart for Asheville, NC, where we honeymooned.
Early bird or night owl? Early bird, forever and ever
Favorite pie flavor? Bourbon pecan pie, specifically my husband’s!
Favorite biscuit topping? Mama’s homemade gravy