Thoughtful.
Tis the adjective for B+A that keeps rising to the top as I’ve been editing their stunner of a day at the Calhoun Beach Club.
It’s the glue that binds every little detail together (after Becky and Alan of course) making their wedding day feel fully intentional. My favorite.

I’ve found myself with the words this has got to be one of the most beautiful weddings ever several times on my lips since August. And ooooh, my. Just you wait till you start to scroll!

But.

I do want you to know

They’re kind of like the Kennedys.
But with less drama.

Except…

If you’re not already crying from a sweetness overload 30 minutes into your arrival on a wedding day, what’re you doin, pals.
And if you’re not covered in sweat and champagne by the end of it, did a wedding even really happen.

Nate is the kind of guy that makes you imagine his former schoolteachers referring to him as a “good kid” who was probably either voted most likely to succeed or most charismatic.
Meanwhile, Annie is the kind of person that was probably always wearing 16 different friendship bracelets on her wrist at any given time, so full of joy and undiscriminating warmth. Also, probably the Homecoming Queen that everyone actually liked.

You know, it's not quite right to assume that I only like to photograph the big belly laughs that appear throughout a wedding day. (And they always do appear, which is one of the things I like best about weddings—the joy.)

It was black. Dramatic.
I had her pose in that dress with some overturned boats in an alleyway off Main Street.
Out of the hundreds of seniors I photographed at my old studio, she did and she has stuck out all these years later for being such a stylish + spunky + sweet package all rolled into one.

This time it was white. Still dramatic but in a more elegant, grown-up fashion. 

She invited me in right away.

ACTIVITY TIME!

K.

Imagine a world where weddings can be steeped in sweet tradition and raucous buckets of fun. Where introductions with the bride's family begin with hugs instead of handshakes, and letters between lovers come with an ounce of good whiskey. Picture for me a dance floor dominated by a fiesty grandma, pulsing with the sounds of live DUELING PIANOS. In the next room there's an ice cream sundae bar and later on, there'll be a late night pizza delivery and a large scale McDonald's run for trays of burgers and fries. Such a world does exist, my dears; Kelley and Carter created it.

And not only did they create this kick ass wedding with the help of one fantastic coordinator, they created something bigger. Something brighter, and even more beautiful than the bouquets. And I think you know where this is headed.

*Drumroll*

The first time I met Josiah was last October. We had just wrapped an incredible engagement session and were saying our extended goodbyes in that slow Minnesotan way, leaning up against our respective vehicles. Before we parted ways, I asked Josiah what drew him to Rachel, hoping to further connect the dots in their love story. Rather than shrug it off with a joke and a grin, coming up with a quick flattery for his betrothed, his mood shifted. He became thoughtful. Introspective. He took a few moments to compose his answer, and what he said still makes me tear up whenever I think back on it.

New paragraph.

Because, yeah. I'm completely gonna leave you hanging on that one. Rather than misquote the beautiful sentiments Josiah shared with me, I want to focus not on the what but the how. Because isn't intent the most important piece of any action anyhow?

And then there's Rachel. Several years later, I distinctly recall the first time I photographed our lovely bride. A senior in high school, a cook at the local cafe, she knew I had an ongoing love affair for a certain peanut butter chocolate confection I would stop in so regularly to indulge in. And so: she baked me a whole pan as a thank you. WHOLE pan. Those sweet gestures (... pun!) are everything. It's a gracious thoughtfulness. It's heartfelt intent. And it's completely in line with the heart of Josiah's devotion and adoration. It's loooove, guys!

Now how bout some photos, yeah?!