Shelley & Portugal are wife-and-husband documentary wedding photographers serving Kentucky and beyond.

Weddings

THE REFINERY WEDDING | ELYSSA AND TYLER

May 31, 2025

We’d been looking forward to Elyssa & Tyler’s wedding for a long time. These two aren’t just a beautiful couple— they’re some of the most authentic people we know. Their wedding day was a living testament to the life and love they’ve built together.

It’s not unusual for me to cry at weddings, but I was wiping tears behind the camera all day. Elyssa’s dad’s speech hit me hard. 😭 The love surrounding these two was palpable, and they made sure every guest felt it too.

Thanks to the impeccable Grace Mays (with Christina Burton Events), every detail was handled with precision. We created a perfect timeline together, designed for a laid-back day where beautiful moments could unfold naturally. One favorite moment was Elyssa’s surprise first look with her dad and nephews as they came off the elevator. Completely unplanned, but absolutely perfect.

Plus, t’s always a joy to document the “night before.” Meeting everyone and capturing fun, relaxed candids at their Hotel Distil welcome party in downtown Louisville was the perfect way to kick off the weekend.

We’re so excited to share some of our favorite images from this very special day.

Photography: Shelley + Portugal (that’s us!) | Planning & Design: Grace Mays w/ Christina Burton Events | Venue: The Refinery | Florals: Jamie Fairman Floral Design | Catering & Bar: Mayan Cafe | Ceremony Music: A New Muse | Cocktail & Reception Band: Nashville All Stars | Cake: Heitzman Traditional Bakery | Hair: Amelia Lemeron w/ Maeda Salon | Makeup: Becca Schell | Rental: Empru & Rent n Rave | Custom Seating Chart: Gentry Reserve | Custom Signage: Blu3 Designs | Transportation: Majestic Transportation | Photobooth: Masters of Music

Want to see more of this beautiful couple? Click to see their Old Louisville Engagement Photos!

Shelley & Portugal | Documentary wedding photography at The Refinery in Louisville KY

+ Comments

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

about us

we're shelley AND portugal

Before we were wedding photographers, we were just two kids in love. We met on Instagram and fell in love over FaceTime. A shared interest in roadkill portraiture is what brought us together (it’s a funny story), but what ultimately compelled us to take a chance on long-distance is the fact that we weren’t looking for surface-level. We craved a shared life full of connection, vulnerability, and the kind of love that changes you. Now we bring that same energy to your wedding day to capture the real story, not a performance.