Oh my Bekah! You have grown into such a beautiful young woman and I hope to be able to capture more of the special moments in your life.
I think it’s safe to say that 2020 was not what everyone expected. No one expected the massive effect that the virus would take on the entire world. We were quarantined, business’s were shut down and shaking hands and giving a hug for a greeting is now a thing of the past. So how about planning your wedding? Scratch everything that you planned and everything that you expected and everything that you had hoped for and dreamed of….
Start over. And we all did. We started to rethink what was important and what we took for granted. Just like David and Liz who actually were diagnosed with the COVID-19 virus. After they were tested negative, they decided to go forward with getting married even if it meant not being able to go to Virginia where Liz was from, to have the wedding that they had planned for.
David and Liz met in 2016 while she lived in Texas and he was in Savannah. Liz became a special agent and David was a task force officer and criminal investigator and became a cooperate security agent.
They bought their first home together on Lake Murray in Lexington, South Carolina. Six months later, Dave asked Liz to marry him on Denis Beach in St. John's while on their first vacation together. They have since welcomed their new fur baby Ranger, to the family.
Larry and Jess met on a very snowy day in Spartanburg. The school was closed because of the weather but Jess was supposed to meet someone for pathophysiology tutoring. USC Upstate had closed its doors due to the snowy weather for student and staff safety. Jess was supposed to be meeting a man named Larry at the library for her first tutoring session. Unfortunately, since the school had closed their doors, Jess was worried that she wouldn't get to the tutoring session. So, she suggested that they head to Panera Bread. Jess had been looking for a man with a patho book, when she came across a handsome man with the most blue eyes she had ever seen. She introduced herself and said "You must be Larry." Jess sat down and began talking with Larry, not mentioning patho one bit. The employees approached Larry and Jess and informed them that it was closing time. Not realizing that they had been talking for so long, Larry invited Jess back to his apartment to continue their conversation.
They got to his apartment around 9:15 PM, and talked until 1:30 AM! Jess had 5 missed calls from her family who were worried sick - "it's not like her to not answer the phone when we call." Jess returned their calls and informed them that she had just met the most amazing man. Larry and Jess continued to talk for a week & on February 28th of 2015, Larry officially asked her to date him. She, of course, said yes and so started their love journey! In March of 2017, Larry & Jess purchased their first home. On May 3, 2017, Jess graduated nursing school and moved in with Larry. She began her first nursing job in July 2017.
What a wild ride they have had!! Larry proposed Christmas of 2017. Jess said “I was working night shift and had to work Christmas Eve, Christmas, and the day after Christmas, so when I got home on the morning of the 27th of December, 2017, Larry and I had our Christmas celebrations. He had 4 gifts for me, well technically 5 if you count the ring. Each was a picture of our Christmas lights on the tree with 4 different words on each gift. The gifts were little 20 piece puzzles. They were labeled in the order of which they had to be opened as well. I opened them and put together the first one which said "Will," followed by "You," "Marry," and "Me?" He was so stubborn and wouldn't let me answer until all four puzzles had been answered. I gave him an out before I put the last piece in the "Me?" puzzle, and he said he's in it for the long run. I said yes, and we began planning our wedding”.
Of course the venue was special because it was supposed to have been where they would first meet but due to weather, they met at a restaurant instead.
Zach and Kelsey have been together for a year and 2 months and met through one of Kelsey’s college friends when Zach was on PCS. Her friend had sent her a snapchat of him with two guys and she messaged him back asking who the cute guy in the middle was and told her it was Zach. She asked if he was single and told him to give him her number. They texted for awhile from then on until Kelsey went to see him and they started dating the day after she left.
Oh the proposal! Sometimes these things just don’t go the way you want them to…. Zach had planned this really nice and romantic weekend in Greenville, SC and they went for a Christmas walk near the waterfalls. Zach sat down and thought right then that he was going to propose but Kelsey decided to sit on his lap instead and completely through Zach off and he got too nervous to propose so he didn’t do it! Kelsey recalls, “So when we got back to the hotel room we were goofing around and he went and hid under a burrito blanket and when I went to go mess with him he popped out from under it and proposed.”
And that was it! After a short time together they immediately knew that they were meant for each other.
This past summer, I learned that when a bride gets married to a firefighter or that bride is a firefighter, that bridal portraits are done at a fire station. What a great tradition and the guys at Lexington County Fire Station 4 were so nice and helpful with putting the trucks where we needed them and even giving us ideas because of course, their wives also did bridal portraits at a fire station.
We then decided to go to the wedding venue at T & S Farms in Batesburg and of course it was magical!
The Bridger family is one of my favorite families to photograph. They always show up dressed spectacularly like they just came out of a magazine from a clothing company. They are such a sweet family who are devoted to God and that makes them even more amazing.
Dustin and Lindsey met through Plenty of Fish and had many of their first dates in the morning at the gym before Lindsey went to class. But their first official date was at Dave and Busters where Lindsey kicked Dustin’s butt at ski ball but he rocked it at basketball. But at the end of the night they had their first kiss and have been together for four years.
They planned a trip to California to the Santa Monica Mountains where they climbed to Inspiration Point. Lindsey was resting next to a pillar with a camera in her hand while Dustin fumbled around in the back pack telling her to hold on. She turned around and there he was on one knee and asked the big question. Lindsey said that it was so beautiful! There was all of California on one side and then ocean on the other.
They chose this venue because their first dates consisted of hiking and chasing waterfalls and panoramic views. Dustin moved to upstate South Carolina from Mississippi and had never hiked but loves the mountains. So it was natural that they were actively seeking adventure.
I was finally able to do Amanda’s bridal portraits and she nailed it! We decided on a property with a beautiful house that has been turned into a wedding venue. This place is unbelievable. It is away from the busyness of the world and it has a fitting name, Somewhere in Time Manor.
Here’s a few of my favorites!
I’m finally getting around to blogging about the Christmas Tree Farm Mini sessions… They were so much fun!! I got to met so many great families and create wonderful images for them at this little gem in Batesburg.
The Shealey’s
The Branham’s
The Hanley’s
The Prices’
The Catoe’s
Venue: South Carolina Lace House and Gardens
Cake: Desmond Pringle with Gardenia’s Custom Cakes & Catering LLC
DJ: DJ D-Rex
Wedding Coordinator: Kristen Coulter
Jeff and Nekedia have been together for 6 years and met through the military. They were both at Fort Jackson at the Px one day and it took off from there!
Nekedia said, “We were on vacation for Thanksgiving in Cancun, Mexico. We had just came back from a day excursion of playing with dolphins and I was getting the babies ready to take a nap. I turn around and there he is with a ring. He had this big smile on his face and saying these silly things ( basically showing how afraid he really was)”.
And their wedding was so beautiful, intimate and romantic.
Lindsey’s bridal portraits were amazing and so much fun to do! I met Lindsey and her mom up in Greenville at Fall’s Park on the Reedy and it was magical. Lindsey’s mom Dawn made the beautiful boutique herself and it was beautiful! Here are a couple photos from that session.
Venue: Ceremony: Marvin United Methodist Church, Martinez, GA. Reception: Palmetto Terrace Ballroom
Florist: Alicia Sapp Golphin
Make up Artist: The Hair Garage
David and Katlyn knew of each other through mutual friends for years before actually ever talking to each other. One night on November 28th of 2014, David asked if Katlyn wanted to go out with a group of friends and they hit if off! He asked her to be his girlfriend right after their first New Year’s kiss and have been together for four years now!
How did he propose? “David has NEVER been able to keep a surprise! He planned the most amazing trip to my favorite place on earth (Disney World) to propose at the Mickey’s Magical Christmas Party and ended up not being able to wait and got down on one knee right in our hotel room that morning. It was the most perfect, sweetest thing ever.”
I asked Katlyn why they chose their venue for the reception and she said, “I chose the Palmetto Terrace as my reception venue because it felt magical. Imagine Beauty and the Beast with their dance in the ballroom. It has that kind of feel to it.”
Venue: The River Road and The Jasmine House
Baker: Sarah Christmas
Florist: Tim’s Touch
Wedding Coordinator: Sarah Christmas
December 15th of 2018 was a rainy day at the River Road and the Jasmine House but when it was time for Jason and Lauren’s wedding to begin the sky cleared and the birds sang.
Jason and Lauren’s story started with the growing trend of them both swiping right on tinder. They had their first date at San Jose and it was love at first sight and they’ve been together for almost four years now!!
I asked how Jason proposed and Lauren said, “ Jason planned a trip to Charleston sc to visit friends for a graduation party. we parked at the battery and he said his friends were close and right down the street. He introduced me to a friend from Columbia prior to meeting up with his friends. We started walking and he dropped down on one knee and popped the question. The friend from Columbia only followed us so they could capture it on camera. I was shocked!!”
When choosing their wedding venue they just loved that the River Road and the Jasmine House was so relaxed and a more intimate space. They loved the vintage buildings and landscaping and felt like the venue best matched their own personal style.
They are both passionate people who look forward to the exchange of wedding vows the most on their wedding day.
Venue: Wintergreen Woods
Baker: Wintergreen Woods
Florist: Sams Club
It was such a pleasure meeting Devin and Amanda. Their day started with just a touch of rain but ended up being perfect. Their venue, Wintergreen Woods, was decorated so warm and inviting with the beautiful stone hearth lit up with a blazing fire and a hot chocolate station set up on the patio. What was even warmer were Devin and Amanda. I absolutely love working with a couple who radiate their love and are genuinely excited about their lives together and not just having a party.
I asked Amanda how they met and she gave me a great story! She said,” We originally met in 2010 at a friends house. I even remember then seeing Devin and just being completely in awe of him. We obviously went our separate ways and then on March 29th of 2014, that's when it happened. We both had weddings to attend to that day. My friend from New York was in town and I promised her a night out in Columbia. We finally ended up at our last destination and a mutual friend of Devin and I called out to me and got us to the reserved section. When my friend and I sat down and I looked up, my whole world came crashing down in all the good ways. I grabbed my friend on her leg with a tight squeeze as she choked on her martini and she said "What!!!???" I told her that the most gorgeous man that was meant to be mine forever was standing right in front of me. She looked up and told me that I should go talk to him. I usually never approach men, but this time, I told myself, "I let him go once, and I’m not going to let him go again." It's been history ever since.”
And they’ve been together for 4 wonder years!
Devin proposed at Disney World and was so nervous that the box that had the ring in it would make the metal detector go off while walking through. Amanda said, “He was acting really strange as if he wasn't feeling well and I had no idea but he took me to Cinderella's castle and got down on one knee and asked. I didn't think this would happen at such a "public" place because he is VERY shy and dosen’t like all the attention on him.” Devin and Amanda already knew they were going to spend the rest of their lives together so Amanda told him that she didn’t need a proposal. But Devin wanted to make her feel like a princess and he absolutely did!
blessed describes both of you
“Being able to marry my best friend. I can't tell you how many times I prayed for him even when I didn't even know him. God was preparing the both of us for each other, so that HE would be glorified. Everything made since when we met. Even though you get told everyday "All in God's time." it never rang as true the day we met. I had finally found the rest of my rib in Devin. God was preparing us both for each other, even through all of our disappointments and past heartbreaks, we wouldn't change a thing because we would have always found each other. I always tell Devin, "You know when God created you, He smiled and thought of me. And when God made me, He smiled thought of you." We thank God every day for each other, for finding our best friend.”
Venue: Cobblestone Golf Course, Blythewood
Baker: Lainey Cakes
Florist: Blythewood Gloriosa Florist
What a wonderful day it was for Cody and Chynna’s wedding on November, 10th. The sun was shinning, it wasn’t too hot and everyone was in great spirits.
Cody and Chynna met in middle school and knew each other through out high school. They had home room together in 7th grade in the gym. Cody was very shy to talk to Chynna but finally got some words out of him to go ice skating where they had their first kiss.
They reconnected in 2014-2015 when Cody was deployed and Chynna saw a photo of him smoking a cigarette next to a camel and thought he was so cute. So one thing led to another…. and they’ve been together for 5 years.
Cody proposed at Crowder Mountain on the peak. He had been so nervous to do it in front of other people so they went way off to a far ledge where Cody proposed with his dad’s and stepmom’s rings they had melted together.
I asked Chynna what is one word that describes both of them and she answered with “Perseverance”.
The venue they choose, Cobblestone Golf Course, was a very unexpected location with a beautiful view! They have wonderful pricing so go check them out!!
They both looked forward to the food and dancing on their wedding day and Cody couldn’t wait to see her walk down the aisle towards him!
Venue: Ceremony, Sharon Methodist Church. Reception, The Venue of Chapin, LLC
Baker: Tara Linn’s Bakery
Florist: Flowers From the Heart
I asked Nicole how they met and got engaged and she said, “Our love story began back in 2011. Thanks to some mutual friends we met in our kitchen. Seems like an odd place to meet your soon to be spouse but we wouldn’t of had it any other way. Some flirtatious banter was exchanged and of course Nicole was intrigued by Jonathan’s sarcasm and whit. The rest is history! Nothing could prepare us for the next 6 years of laughter, loss, and love. Jonathan decided to pop the question while we were visiting his father who was being cared for at MUSC. A dear friend of our families opened his home to Jonathan to ask Nicole to marry him. It was beyond beautiful and everything she could have ever hoped and dreamed of. Of course, the answer was yes! We then celebrated our wonderful news with our family in a tiny hospital room filled with love, tears, and laughter. Since that amazing day we have said goodbye to an irreplaceable person, we have bought our first home, gained 4 fur children, and will finally become husband and wife. We cannot wait to begin this new chapter in life and are thrilled to be celebrating it with all of you.”
They chose a different venue then the one they had now. Unfortunately due to some unexpected events they had to choose a different venue. As you can imagine, she was extremely distraught and frantic trying to find a beautiful space to host their reception within a reasonable price range. They recently moved to the Chapin area and found their venue while driving by. Nicole decided to reach out to the owner and schedule a tour with her sister-in-law. They were both blown away by how accommodating the owner was and how beautiful the space was. It was perfect for their wedding and Nicole felt like God had answered her prayers when he sent her to The Venue of Chapin.
“We are both very hard headed. Not such a romantic term to describe us but when we make our mind up about something it will take an act of congress to change it.” They have been together for 7 years and 9 months so it definitely works :)
I asked Nicole what they are most looking forward to on their wedding day and she said, “As cliché as it may sound we are both looking forward to just being married. We started our lives together on January 1st,2011 and on November 3rd, 2018 we will finally be able to continue our lives with same last name. Our love has endured many trials. After almost 8 years of us driving each other crazy we are still crazy about each other.”
Venue: Duncan Estates in Spartanburg, S.C.
Baker: Holly’s Cakes LLC/ Cake Smith did the wonderful treats
Florist: Mill Street Florist
Brandon and Harley met because of a mutual friend. One night that mutual friend invited Brandon and Harley to play an Xbox party. “We were going to play Call of Duty together. After playing online games for a few months, I gave him my number and we haven’t stopped talking since!”
They’ve been together since 2011, Harley’s junior year of high school and they are closer than ever!
When I asked how Brandon proposed, Harley responded by saying, “I had already picked out and ordered my engagement ring. Brandon was the only one who knew when my ring was ready to be picked up. He lied and said he had to work late. He was actually picking up the ring!! He proposed that night/morning around 2:00 AM. He planned on waiting till the next day but couldn’t wait. So he got on his knee in the dinning room.”
Harley wanted something vintage, romantic with an outdoor space and fell in love with Duncan Estates as soon as she saw it. She was excited to be able to make the venue her own.
They are both beyond excited to have all of their family and friends together. Most of Harley’s family is coming from 12 hours away and Brandon’s is coming about 3 hours away. But most of all, they are both ready to finally marry their best friend!!
I can not believe this little nugget is one! I absolutely love this family. They struggled so hard with getting pregnant with their first, Hampton, so Whaley was a wonderful blessing.
Here’s just a few of my favorites from their session!
What a perfect day for engagement photos! Nick and Lauren are such a great looking couple who have a wonderful history in downtown Columbia.
Here’s just a few of my favorite photos from their session!
Venue: Southern Oaks Events
Baker: Bailey’s Cakes
Florist: The brides sister!
Chris and Sarah got engaged on April 21 of 2018 and planned their big day at Southern Oaks Events in Gilbert, South Carolina. They met in the 4th grade and have been friends for 14 years and dating for 2 years. They both immediately describe their relationship as being carefree which is wonderful to me!
He proposed by stopping to ask a lady to take their picture while they were walking along Fernandina Beach at sunset and after she took a couple Chris said, “Wait, can you take one more?” and he pulled out the box, got down on one knee, and asked Sarah to marry him. Needless to say, the lady and Sarah were both shocked!
Of Course I asked why she chose Southern Oaks and she said, “I first saw Southern Oaks in pictures when one of my extended cousins got married there and I thought it was beautiful. So, I looked into it while doing (premature) research on wedding venues and availabilities and August 11 was one of the few Saturdays they had available for the end of this year. I knew it was the perfect time and the perfect place for our reception!” Their ceremony was held at a very special location, her home church, Red Bank Methodist Church in Red Bank, SC.
The most special and important moment for them both is seeing each other when the doors to the Sanctuary open and Sarah enters and the second, is their first kiss as a married couple!
