MARRIED // SAM & CHASE // MATTHEWS, NORTH CAROLINA (PART I)

This is a biggun' you guys. I met Sam and Chase when we were all back in high school. We've kept in touch throughout the years, so fast forward almost 10 years later (what?!?! surely, my math is wrong) to where her and I start talking about me making pictures at her wedding.

I still can't get over their wedding day. I've never seen a bride so anxiously excited to walk down the aisle as Sam was. About 5 minutes before she got in place to meet her dad to walk down the aisle, she was alone. She took a deep breath to steady herself and got really quiet. It was a beautiful moment and I'm so glad I was there for it.

Sam is quirky in all of the best ways, an amazing writer, and so kind hearted. She's the kind of person who takes a second to laugh at what you say because you can tell she's thinking about it first. She's beautiful and great and I'm so thankful that she wanted me there. I know she loves me, and she loves my photography and I couldn't have asked for a better bride. And Chase? He's the strong and quiet type. He's so sweet and intelligent and holds Sam with so much care (which you'll see in part two!) So happy to have you guys as friends.

I know you guys planned this in two months, in between all the stress of life - but you did a kick ass job.

// From the bride //

I’ll be honest, Chase and I seriously thought about eloping. We had just gotten engaged and we were graduating from NC State in a month and a half. We were in the midst of finishing school and I was interviewing for full-time jobs. Things were crazy and we didn’t want to wait a year to get married. We were ready. But when it came down to it, we couldn’t imagine a wedding without our family and friends. So that’s when we embarked on the crazy journey to plan a wedding in 2 and half months.

With the help of many family and friends we somehow pulled it off. We wanted it to be a small, intimate affair with a laid back outdoor atmosphere. We had a small budget so we tried to be creative. We served BBQ and saved money on drinks by just serving beer and champagne punch. We decided to forgo the DJ dance party but added small elements like corn hole boards and a photo booth with silly props to entertain guests. We saved money by using DIY décor and by thinking out of the box. We got our centerpiece flowers the day before the wedding at a local farmers market! We enlisted family and friends to help too, which took away some of the stress and made the wedding feel much more personal.

We were so happy in the end that we chose to share the day with others. Our wedding was such a wonderful celebration of our love and the love that surrounds us. My favorite moment of the day was stepping out and seeing Chase for the time. I remember a feeling of peace coming over me. He was standing there, bow tie and all, about to become my husband. Nothing else mattered. In the end, that’s all a wedding should be about.

Venue for Ceremony & Reception: The Reid House in Matthews, NC // Caterer: Queen City Q // Bouquets & Boutonnieres: Harris Teeter Floral Shop // Centerpiece Flowers: Kings Dr. Farmers Market // Cake: Matthew Anderson // Bridal Gown & Veil: Davids Bridal // Hair: Rebecca Helms of Imagez Salon & Spa // Makeup Artist: Makeup by Cyn // Floral Headpiece: Roses and Lemons on Etsy // Bridesmaids Dresses: J. Crew // Bowties: Doe Ann Hart

PREPARE FOR SOME TEARS.

"Being married is like having a color television set. you never want to go back to black and white."

A sweet friend of mine shared this on her facebook wall and I had totally forgotten about this special, special video.

I'm a wedding photographer. That, among many other things, means that I love love. This video plucked my heart right out of my chest and left me unable to catch my breath because I couldn't stop crying!

Sometimes I feel like what we've lost is that fire for love. Weddings can be so much more about the decorations and the food and music than the actual reason for celebration: the love that unites two individuals so passionately that they can't imagine their lives without one another.

Watch this video. You'll either thank me or curse me (or maybe a mixture of both), but either way- do it!

MARRIED // WILL & ALLEY // LAKE EDEN, ASHEVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA

My amazing brother Will got married in April to a quick witted and pretty lady named Alley.{A LOT of people love Alley's dress. Check out her dress designer, Brooke of Ship to Shore!}

“Only once in your life, I truly believe, you find someone who can completely turn your world around. You tell them things that you’ve never shared with another soul and they absorb everything you say and actually want to hear more. You share hopes for the future, dreams that will never come true, goals that were never achieved and the many disappointments life has thrown at you. When something wonderful happens, you can’t wait to tell them about it, knowing they will share in your excitement. They are not embarrassed to cry with you when you are hurting or laugh with you when you make a fool of yourself. Never do they hurt your feelings or make you feel like you are not good enough, but rather they build you up and show you the things about yourself that make you special and even beautiful. There is never any pressure, jealousy or competition but only a quiet calmness when they are around. You can be yourself and not worry about what they will think of you because they love you for who you are. The things that seem insignificant to most people such as a note, song or walk become invaluable treasures kept safe in your heart to cherish forever. Memories of your childhood come back and are so clear and vivid it’s like being young again. Colours seem brighter and more brilliant. Laughter seems part of daily life where before it was infrequent or didn’t exist at all. A phone call or two during the day helps to get you through a long day’s work and always brings a smile to your face. In their presence, there’s no need for continuous conversation, but you find you’re quite content in just having them nearby. Things that never interested you before become fascinating because you know they are important to this person who is so special to you. You think of this person on every occasion and in everything you do. Simple things bring them to mind like a pale blue sky, gentle wind or even a storm cloud on the horizon. You open your heart knowing that there’s a chance it may be broken one day and in opening your heart, you experience a love and joy that you never dreamed possible. You find that being vulnerable is the only way to allow your heart to feel true pleasure that’s so real it scares you. You find strength in knowing you have a true friend and possibly a soul mate who will remain loyal to the end. Life seems completely different, exciting and worthwhile. Your only hope and security is in knowing that they are a part of your life.”