I've photographed weddings at The Isom Place in Oxford, Mississippi more times than I can count. Every time I leave, I tell myself, Madeline, that might've been your last one. Then someone like Hayley comes along. She found my work through The Isom Place's Instagram, reached out about her wedding, and suddenly I'm heading back to Oxford. But when a couple is THIS in love and has a vision this good, what exactly am I supposed to do? Say no? Absolutely not.
Hayley and Daygon's wedding was romantic, ridiculously chic, and full of the kind of moments I love photographing. Rich colors, gorgeous details, two people who look like they walked straight out of an old romance movie, and a reception that turned into one hell of a party when the rain started pouring. If you're considering The Isom Place for your own wedding, I have a few things to show you.
Getting Married at The Isom Place in Oxford, Mississippi
One of my favorite things about The Isom Place is how much personality this place already has. We're talking a historic Oxford home dating back to 1836, original parlors, antique furnishings, and outdoor spaces that give you room to do something completely different with your wedding day. You can have an intimate celebration inside or take advantage of the outdoor areas for a bigger party with all your favorite people. And having your ceremony and reception in the same place? LOVE that.
Nobody has to spend half the afternoon figuring out where they're supposed to be next, and you get more time to enjoy the people who came to celebrate you. Hayley and Daygon took full advantage of the setting, creating a wedding that felt incredibly chic without ever losing the fun. Considering how the reception ended, I'd say they understood the assignment.
Want to see what all of this looks like through my camera? Take a peek at my wedding portfolio. The romantic portraits, the weird little moments, the dance floor chaos. I'm here for ALL of it.
The Isom Place Wedding Venue: The Details You Actually Want to Know
The Isom Place is gorgeous, but let's talk logistics for a second. Guest count, catering, ceremony spaces, and what happens when Mississippi decides to surprise everyone with a thunderstorm. All pretty important things to know before booking a wedding venue.
Here's the rundown:
Location: 1003 Jefferson Avenue, Oxford, Mississippi, just steps from the historic Oxford Square.
Guest capacity: Up to 99 guests indoors or 200 outdoors.
Ceremony options: Indoor and outdoor ceremonies, including the courtyard and garden areas.
Reception options: Indoor entertaining spaces, outdoor areas, and space for a tented reception.
Catering: You can bring in your own licensed and insured caterer rather than being limited to one required catering company.
Getting ready: The historic house offers accommodations, including a bridal suite.
Wedding coordination: The venue has on-site management, but you'll need your own wedding coordinator.
Parking: A public parking garage is conveniently located across the street.
One detail worth planning around: The Isom Place currently requires music to end by 10 p.m. because of local noise restrictions. So if your dream reception involves dancing until 3 a.m., you'll want to know that before booking. You can check the venue's official FAQ for the latest policies. A little logistical planning now means fewer surprises when you're supposed to be having the best freaking day of your life.
When Is the Best Time to Get Married at The Isom Place?
Mississippi weather likes to keep things interesting, and the season you choose can make a pretty big difference in how your wedding feels.
Spring weddings: Greenery, outdoor ceremonies, and full romantic garden-party energy. Spring is gorgeous, but rain is always a possibility, so have a backup plan ready.
Summer weddings: Longer days mean more daylight for photos, which I LOVE. But Mississippi summers get HOT. Think about shade, guest comfort, and scheduling your outdoor ceremony later in the day.
Fall weddings: Rich colors, cooler evenings, romantic details, and outdoor receptions? YES PLEASE. Just remember that sunset happens earlier, so your photography timeline deserves a little extra attention.
Winter weddings: Don't sleep on a winter wedding. The historic interiors at The Isom Place could be gorgeous for an intimate, candlelit celebration. Plan around cooler temperatures and shorter days.
My advice? Choose the season that gives you the experience you want, not just the prettiest Pinterest photos. I'll figure out the lighting. You focus on having a ridiculously good time.
Leaning toward a fall wedding? I've got a whole fall wedding planning guide with more on timelines, lighting, and planning around the season without losing your mind over every little detail.
A Chic, Romantic Wedding That Felt Completely Like Them
Now, let me show you what a wedding at The Isom Place can actually look like. Before their wedding, I got to spend some time with Hayley and Daygon during their engagement session. We went to a speakeasy, had drinks, talked about their wedding plans, and basically got to hang out while taking some really fun photos.
I learned two very important things about them. First, these two are absolutely OBSESSED with each other. My favorite kind of couple. Second, they have this incredible contrast to their personalities. Around their friends? Goofy, silly, and completely down to have a good time. But put them together for a portrait, and suddenly we're in an old Hollywood romance.
That natural poise made photographing them SO interesting.
Not every romantic photo needs to involve running through a field, laughing hysterically, or dipping each other approximately 47 times. Sometimes it's the way you stand together. The way you look at each other when nobody's making a joke. The quieter, more serious side of being completely in love.
Give me THAT. Hayley wanted her photographs to feel chic, candid, and romantic. Between their chemistry and the wedding she'd dreamed up, I had plenty to work with.
Bringing Their Wedding Vision to Life at The Isom Place
Hayley's taste? DARLING. I knew she had a vision for this wedding, but walking into The Isom Place and seeing everything come together was a whole different experience. Rich colors, romantic details, and so many little things that made me want to immediately pick up my camera. Which, conveniently, was exactly what I was there to do.
What I loved most was that nothing felt like it was there just because it was trending on Pinterest. Every choice had a little bit of Hayley and Daygon in it. THAT'S what I want for my couples. Bring me your weird little ideas, the things you're obsessed with, and the details that make your friends say, oh my god, that's so you.
That's the good stuff.
If you're currently obsessing over wedding colors, I actually wrote a whole blog about moody wedding colors that feel SO romantic, featuring more of Hayley and Daygon's ridiculously good details.
Photographing The Isom Place on Film and Digital
This was a FUN wedding to photograph. I shot Hayley and Daygon's wedding on both film and digital, and between the romantic styling, their chemistry, and everything happening throughout the day, I was having the best time getting creative. Here's what I love about using both.
Digital lets me move quickly. I'm watching for the spontaneous moments, the movement, the ridiculous things your friends are doing when they think nobody's paying attention. Film gives me a chance to approach certain moments a little differently. I get to play with composition, color, and that nostalgic feeling that makes a photograph look like it belongs in an album you've had forever.
I don't think your entire wedding gallery needs to feel like one perfectly polished editorial spread. Give me the gorgeous portraits AND the slightly blurry dance floor photos. The quiet moments AND the chaos. The photos you want to frame and the ones that make you laugh so hard you immediately send them to your group chat. I want all of it.
If you want to see how completely different two weddings at the same venue can feel, go check out Alice and Collin's wedding at The Isom Place. I photographed their day on film too, and it's a whole different kind of love story.
A Rainy Wedding Reception at The Isom Place
The weather had been on its absolute best behavior all day. Then the reception started. Apparently, the sky had been holding onto a little surprise for us because it started POURING. Not a cute, romantic drizzle. Actual, serious rain. Thankfully, Hayley and Daygon had a tent over their reception, which meant everyone could keep celebrating without getting completely soaked.
Did the rain stop the party? PLEASE. Everyone got a little closer, the dancing kept going, and nobody seemed particularly concerned that the weather had decided to make an appearance. This is something worth considering when planning an outdoor wedding at The Isom Place. The venue's indoor capacity is smaller than its outdoor capacity, so don't automatically assume everyone can move inside when the forecast changes.
Ask about tent options and weather contingencies early. Make the backup plan, then go enjoy your freaking wedding.
From a photography perspective, I'm always watching the weather, the light, and what's happening around us. Things change. That's weddings. My job is to adapt, get creative, and keep making photographs without turning your wedding day into a weather-related crisis. Some of my favorite moments from their entire wedding happened after the weather decided to do whatever the hell it wanted.
Why I Love Photographing Weddings at The Isom Place
After photographing multiple weddings at The Isom Place, I've learned that no two celebrations here feel quite the same. For Hayley and Daygon, the historic setting worked beautifully with their chic, old-Hollywood kind of energy.
After photographing so many weddings at The Isom Place, I've gotten pretty good at knowing when to step in, when to let things happen, and how to roll with whatever the wedding day throws at us.
Planning your own wedding here? Take a peek at my wedding photography collections to see what having me there could look like.
Getting Married at The Isom Place? I Want IN.
If you're planning a wedding at The Isom Place and want a photographer who already knows the venue, LOVES a good romantic portrait, and will absolutely be paying attention when the dance floor gets a little ridiculous, HI. I'd LOVE to be there.
I've photographed enough weddings here to know that no two celebrations look anything alike, and that's exactly why I keep coming back.
Whether you're planning something intimate inside the historic house or a full-on party outside with all your favorite people, I'm already excited about the possibilities.
Reach out and tell me about your Isom Place wedding! Let's make some freaking beautiful photos together. Planning a destination wedding somewhere else entirely? I'm always down to pack my cameras and go somewhere new.
Keep the Wedding Inspiration Going!
Planning a wedding that actually feels like YOU? I've got plenty more where that came from. Whether you're rethinking traditions, figuring out what matters most, or just want to see more weddings where people had a ridiculously good time, keep reading!
Book Madeline as your Destination Wedding Photographer
If you're planning a wedding at The Isom Place and dreaming of ridiculously romantic portraits, gorgeous details, and a dance floor that stays packed even when Mississippi decides to throw a thunderstorm into the mix, I'd LOVE to be there.
You bring your favorite person, your ridiculously good wedding vision, and all the little moments that make your love story yours. I'll bring the film, the digital cameras, and a whole lot of excitement about capturing everything from the old-Hollywood romance to the absolute chaos of the reception.
Reach out and let's make some freaking beautiful art together.
I'm Madeline, a New York and destination wedding photographer who lives for the big feelings, ridiculously good details, and all the beautifully imperfect moments that make your story YOURS. I photograph weddings with a mix of documentary storytelling, cinematic portraits, film, and a whole lot of personality. Because your wedding photos should feel just as alive as the day itself. Portfolio | Packages | Get in Touch | Follow Along on IG