Wedding: Pleasant View Baptist Church | Reception: Cornish Manor
I was browsing through Facebook one day after work, and I came across a post from Amy about her wedding. They had just gotten engaged in November, and they were planning a wedding for this coming June. However, those plans changed and they decided to get married the weekend before Christmas! (which was within two weeks!) I was really surprised and very happy for them.
I’m quite familiar with the way that last minute weddings turn out. Those details that you’d normally see are usually left out because of the small budget you have to work with and you just try to get the basics done.
But the one thing that intimate weddings are, they are always so full of love. You don’t usually have time to invite all your friends and relatives (or they might not be able to take off work), but the people who are closest to you will always be there. Your wedding suddenly becomes less about the traditions, and becomes more focused on you and your spouse.
I sent Amy a message that day to ask her if she had any plans for a photographer. I believe with my whole heart that what I do is so important, it should not be left out for any reason. Even if you have to get a friend to take some photos of your wedding, just get someone there to document it. This is a moment in time that you do not want to ever forget. I love weddings and I’m so passionate about love and marriage that if you find yourself in this situation, I will be there for you.
Amy told me she had never envisioned herself getting married in a long wedding dress, and she isn’t the kind of person to spend hundreds of dollars on herself. Her details were very simple, but elegant.
Her sister Elizabeth, who is a licensed cosmetologist, was there to do her hair and makeup, and did a fabulous job! What better person to know what you really want than your sister.
Amy’s blue sparkly shoes they actually modpodged! They were incredible, and such a personal touch.
Amy’s mom created her headpiece, and her bouquet to match her style.
Zach’s sister, Emily was her maid of honor. It’s so good to see such good friends become sisters! 🙂
Emily was also able to find a dress on such short notice to match the rest of the details.
While we were talking on the phone, Amy told me that the most important thing she wanted pictures of was her ring! Zach did such an amazing job and picking out her engagement ring, and as you can see, I’m always happy to oblige with those kind of requests. Zach’s ring is really awesome too! It has the Lord’s Prayer written on it.
The day started off quite cold. There was a little bit of snow on the ground still from the days before. But as the sun came out, it warmed up and we were able to get a lot of photos outside!
Zach and Amy met in high school. And it was there that their love story began. They both had a very good friendship with Peyton, who was Zach’s best man.
We hadn’t planned to do a first look, but that’s just how it worked out. The ceremony was at 4pm, so we knew we had to take most of the photos beforehand. But Zach had not seen what Amy would be wearing, so we made it a surprise!
They were so happy in this moment and so in love.
Like I said before, it was very chilly outside. Thankfully, Amy had an adorable white coat to wear.
Isn’t her bouquet adorable? I love the ornaments to go along with the Christmas theme.
It was so nice to spend the morning service with my Pleasant View Baptist Church family. I love going to church there and only get to go so many weekends in the summer. Being there in the winter never really happens, unless it’s for their awesome puppet show they put on every two years! (You can also catch them every October at the Autumn Glory Festival!)
Amy has 4 sisters (just like I do!), but unfortunately two of them were unable to make it because they live out of town and already had plans to travel in for Christmas a few days later. While it was sad that they couldn’t be there, they were certainly in her heart.
See what a beautiful backdrop all those twinkle lights made?
I mentioned before, this was in no way a traditional wedding. Amy and Zach greeted their guests as they arrived with hugs and laughter.
Then right before they said their vows, Amy’s dad took her away for a moment and prayed for her. The love of a father runs deep. Especially for his baby girl.
Then without any prompt or music, he walked her down the aisle.
Thanks to Kara, my awesome sister, for getting this shot from behind of the guest’s reactions.
And her daddy gave her away.
“You remembered the rings, right Peyton?”
“Now hold on a minute Zach!”
You can see the love in their eyes when they look at each other. <3
They poured sand together as a symbol of uniting them together in marriage.
You may kiss the bride. 🙂
And the new Mr. & Mrs.!
The sun was just beginning to set as we walked out of the church, so we grabbed a few more photos.
Zach and Amy had a dessert reception at the Cornish Manor in downtown Oakland, before heading off to their honeymoon cabin at Swallow Falls.
And this is my friend Laurel! She’s a photographer too! 🙂 Right now she’s finishing up her time at the Savannah College of Art & Design. You can check out some of her work on here Facebook here!
Amy’s parents pulled everything together so quickly! I’m so glad that she has such a wonderful Godly family and a home to go back to anytime she wants.
And they live happily ever after… <3
