The Wedding Day

So.. I started writing this REALLY great caption for a post I made on Instagram.. come to find out that I couldn’t fit what I wanted to say in my caption box (oops). I decided to post an intro caption— that this would be a fantastic Journal post— since I’m trying to get this rolling again!

What are the most important parts of your Wedding Day?

— you’ll say “Harmony, what a stupid question to ask.. everyone knows the most important moments are the first kiss & the first dance”.

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Let me take you on a journey through your Wedding day—

you’re excited for it to FINALLY be here- your nerves are getting the best of you.. but you have all your best friends by your side. You’re going through the motions getting dressed, and ask your mom to zip you up. You share a split second of a cherished moment with your mother. Now you’re in your dress and about to walk out to see your dad for the very first time as a bride! You view all emotions on his face as he takes in your beauty and flashes back to when you were a kid spinning around in a “princess” dress. As that small moment passes you get antsy to walk down the aisle.

You walk down the aisle, as your eyes meet the one you’re so excited to spend the rest of your life with. You can’t help but smile, and choke back a tear. You’re so happy to be in that moment. Your parents announce they’re giving you away, as your dad places your hand on top of your fiancé’s. That split second when he holds you just a little tighter than he ever has. Another moment— fleeting into the distance of your memories.

You look your partner in the eye, as you pass your beautiful bouquet to your best friend, after they fluff your dress so you look perfect for everyone to see. It’s just you and your fiance now— the only people in the world right now are you & him. You smile back and forth, sharing in every moment as the officiant talks about your love. The time comes to share your vows, your eyes glance between your paper and their face. Everyone watches as the emotion remain, as forever lingers in the distance— but only for a moment. You fiddle your hands together, remembering it’s just you and them. The time comes for the I Do’s- they’re said through joy as your heart is overflowing with love. You fumble again, as you move the ring that you’re gifting to your spouse, and you hope not to drop it as you slide it on their finger. Your hands tingle as you hold onto one another for just a moment longer.

You’re waiting for the officiant to announce that YOU ARE MARRIED!! The anticipation takes over your body! When the words escape their mouth you are met with a kiss but not ANY kiss, the first kiss- the first kiss of forever! As you look into your spouses eyes you can’t help but smile! Everything is perfect— in that moment.

You turn and raise your hands in celebration as everyone cheers and claps! The moment is shared with everyone, and the moment is yours. You take your bouquet from your best friend- and you hold onto the one you love. You’re looking forward- but he is looking only at you, in that moment. As you walk down the aisle as a newly married couple, you walk past your friends and family who are so excited to be a part of this day- this moment! You hold a special place in the aisle for your final ceremony kiss- and everyone watches you exit.

You share your first dance as everyone watches in awe of the love shared. You breathe in deep, just for a moment to cherish this time you’ll never get back. A hold, a touch, your happy ending— just for a moment. As you dance with your parent you remember your childhood, twirling on their finger, dancing on their feet, dreaming of the moment you’d dance just like this, and the time freezes— just for a moment.

You dance the night away sharing drinks, inside jokes, reliving memories, and celebrating, but just for a moment. As you leave your Wedding, you say your thank you’s, you hold close to the people who came, you celebrate and say goodbye.. you hold your forever, and look back at your day, the time, and the memories.. for just one more moment.

Jordan & Katie Meyer; Wedding

Young love, people say it's too good to be true, that it'll never last.. or that you don't know what you're getting into. I can speak from experience on that. What people don't tell you is just how incredible it is for two people are when they fall in love at a young age. People don't tell you how many more memories you get to make with a person when you fall in love at a young age. But mostly people don't tell you how LUCKY you are to find someone who is your soul mate.. at a young age. 

Last weekend I created timeless imagery with Jordan and Katie at their Wedding. The two have been friends for pretty much ever, and if you talk to anyone who went to Damascus with them, they'll say they aren't surprised that they got married.. because they were perfect for each other.. even back in Middle School. They grew up around each other, being friends first-- then boyfriend & girlfriend-- and on June 16th, 2018-- they became husband and wife! I worked with the couple last fall and their adorable puppy Stella (at the time she was so small, but she's grown so much since) to photograph their engagement pictures. We had a lot of fun, hiking and trying not to break any ankles. It was apparent at that time that Jordan and Katie were just the match made in heaven. 

On Saturday I met Katie and Jordan at their Wedding Venue in Union Dale, The Farm at Cottrell Lake (another of my favorite venues to work at). The location was perfect, and the weather couldn't have been any better! The sun was out, and so were the smiles on all the bridesmaids and Katie as I walked into the room! I have been so excited about this Wedding since last year! You could feel the excitement contained by everyone in the house.. especially Katie. The day was perfect. 

Katie and her Dad did a special father-daughter first look! It was so nice, you could tell how incredibly excited her dad was to see her in her dress. She was stunning! He walked her down the aisle with so much pride, arm-in-arm right to the front where Jordan waited. His eyes sparkled when he looked up to see his beautiful bride standing in front of him. A smile graced his face, and hers as they peered into each others eyes before the pastor started the ceremony. Jordan & Katie wrote their own vows, which was so awesome. They included vowing to cheer for each other's sports teams and other creative and meaningful things like that. Even listening to their vows, you could tell they were meant to be! 

I am always so overwhelmed with emotion during the course of the day. Sometimes I find myself crying during the ceremony, sometimes during the reception. I held myself together until I watched as Jordan and Katie danced their first dance as husband and wife. That was my breaking point. I saw such a love between the two of them, and could feel the emotion that they shared as they glided across the floor. They were on cloud 9, and you could see it in their eyes. It was almost as if they were the only two people in the room. So precious, 

Jordan's friends, family and groomsmen surprised Jordan with a Hawaiian t-shirt (which they all changed into at some point during the reception). His face lit up so bright and was so excited to put on his t-shirt with the guys! Such a neat moment to watch, and capture. A memory that he will treasure for a lifetime, just like so many detailed moments of their day! Katie also had a beautiful detail, when her bouquet was made, they placed a small red bird inside the bouquet, as a memorial to her grandmother who passed a few months prior. These incredible details make a wedding day, the most rememberable and important, and we were so very happy to be able to capture these beautiful details. Jordan & Katie also recreated a photograph taken long ago, where Katie's dad was helping Jordan tie his ice skate-- you'll see the re-creation below-- so many fun moments encompassed the day! 

The bride and groom spent the remainder of the evening dancing and making memories with friends a family. They took part in an entertaining cake cutting, danced with their parents, and also the night led to a very funny bouquet and garter toss. Every aspect of the wedding was incredible. Every detail was astonishing, and everything was planned out perfectly! 

We would like to send a Congratulations out to Jordan & Katie, and also wish them a lifetime of happiness, laughter, adventure, and love! We look forward to seeing more from the two of them, and also watching as their love for each other continues to grow! We are so grateful to have been a part of their most special day! And we are super excited to share this sneak preview with them and you all!