#three am post not feeling very good about the space my blog occupies HAHA.

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Wedding: October 7, 2017

Ceremony: Timberhouse at Rolling Acres Country Club, Beaver Falls, PA  

Reception: Timberhouse at Rolling Acres Country Club, Beaver Falls, PA

Hair: Samantha Horne from Christine’s Salon and Spa in Hopewell

Makeup: Jessica Olsavsky

Florist: EcoFlowers

Bakery: Family Friends

Entertainment: Tim Cain from JL Entertainment

Colors: Plum and Gray

Honeymoon: Riviera Maya, Cancun, Mexico.

Let me just start this blog post by saying that sometimes the stars align, you meet someone that brings you joy, they enrich your lives and will forever hold  a special place in your heart. While there is no doubt that Theresa and Nate have this but here, I am talking about my relationship with this couple. Theresa is truly one of the sweetest, most hard working individuals that I have ever met and she can no longer be called a client, I knew this, I felt this about 5 minutes into meeting her…she is my friend and I treasure her.

Our day started at Theresa’s sisters home with pre-ceremony coverage, where I truly believe that I witnessed a family dynamic that is unparalleled on so many levels. The entire family gets along so well and it made everything run so smoothly that we were able to leave and arrive at the Timberhouse to continue the getting ready photos. Once we completed the pre-ceremony coverage with Theresa complete with photos of her very soon to be in laws, we proceeded to another area to get photos of Nate and his family and groomsmen.

I have met Nate a few times but the stunning woman that is his mother has got to be the reason to which I had the honor of photographing Theresa and Nate’s wedding. Nate’s mother, Susan AKA Sue is so sweet and a long time friend of ours. She is an amazing chocolatier and the owner, operator of Noland Chocolates. Seriously, if you have not tried her chocolates, they are a must! They are so delicious and creamy and the take away box that Theresa and Nate packed up for me at the end of the night seriously saved my sanity of the weeks following their wedding haha. October is always a crazy month for me with several, always popular October weddings and my amazing daughter Addison’s birthday is on Halloween, which since she was born has become a month long celebration with Pumpkin Festivals and Fall farm visits all month long.  But truly Sue Noland’s chocolates are amazing and I insist you try them I promise you won’t be disappointed!

FAVORITE MOMENT OF THE DAY: Pre-ceremony…who knew that it could or would happen so soon! Theresa and Nate’s only photo request was that we capture their prayer prior to the ceremony. You will see tons of wedding samples on Pinterest that have a photo of the bride and groom on either side of the door, to preserve that precious first moment of seeing each other as being that moment that she walks down the aisle but this, this was different. These two are starting their lives together is the best way, they are putting God first! A marriage requires three people for it to be whole, to be successful, for it to be long lasting and true. Those three people are a bride, a groom and God.  These two…they just get it!

We had gorgeous 82 degree weather and the Timberhouse steps set the stage for this amazing couple to get married. The ceremony had all the perfect elements to unite these two, there was family, friends, laughter, tears, pure joy and excitement!

Following the ceremony we use those same steps for family photographs, I LOVE how you can see the reflection of the gorgeous fall trees in the reflection above that window, immediately followed, by bridal party and bride and groom portraits. This Rolling Acres Golf Course and Timberhouse have so many options for photography that we just simply walked across the street to capture all those special moments.

After heading in to the reception, they made quick work of the first dance, toasts and blessing. Now in talking with the couple they expressed extreme interest in sunset photos, based on our timeline that sun was going to set right in the middle of dinner, while I wouldn’t normally interrupt a couples dinner for photos,  let’s be honest, we need that break for food as well, but Theresa said to come get her and we will go.  So we hit up the buffet line after immediate family, scarfed our food and got back to work. Boy o Boy am I glad we did! The sunset portraits are definitely my favorites, the sky was fairly clear and the colors are spectacular. I also LOVE getting that photo on the front steps of the Timberhouse with the warm ambient light indoors contrasting with the cool twilight sky outdoors.  I feel these moments are essential to a successful wedding; it gives the couple a moment to calm down, regroup and realize just how quickly this day is flying by and to really savor the moment of THEIR day!

Following dinner we started the dancing off with parents dances. Theresa and her father, followed by Nate and Sue and in quick succession was Theresa and her step father, bridal party and open dance floor. Open dance floor, there wasn’t an open space on that dance floor that wasn’t being occupied but a guest dancing the night away! Everyone was having so much fun and it was a blessing for us to capture all the love in that room. Speaking of love and it may just be my second favorite moment of the day, let’s talk about Nate’s dad Pat and his mad dancing skills, now I don’t want to call myself judgmental but maybe I just happen to lump all men into a category of non-dancers and bad dancers LOL.  I see a lot of my dad’s “type” in Pat, strong, hardworking, amazing providers and fantastic fathers…but my Dad will slow dance with my mom but that is 100% absolutely it, my Dad would never even consider “fast” dancing on the dance floor! I truthfully don’t know why I do this judgment, my husband is a dancer, he’s quite good also, he has good rhythm and doesn’t look goofy at all. I just never in a million years expected that from Pat, to the point where my husband was jealous and taking notes haha. Kidding of course, but it was one of those moments where I thought to myself, everyone should have video at their weddings because this is fantastic! Theresa, please tell me someone, anyone captured this!

We left shortly after the garter and bouquet but not before hugging and congratulating my dear friends Theresa and Nate. That’s when Theresa asked if WE could get a picture together, I don’t get very often but once in a while and let me just say, its super sweet and I treasure it each time it does happen, it really shows me that I have made some sort of impact on this bride, I am appreciated and an important part of their day. While I HATE having my photo taken just as much as nearly every groom I encounter, which is why I am behind it haha.

I will forever treasure Theresa and Nate, as clients whom I was honored to photograph on their wedding day, but more importantly I am blessed to call them friends. We made a promise on her wedding day that just because the wedding day was “over” that we would remain friends and stay in touch, I intend to keep that promise because I made a vow many years ago to surround myself with kindness, with people who have good values and integrity, people who love the Lord and recognize their blessings as much as I do and those who just simply make me feel good.

These are the Hands

These are the hands of your best friend, young and strong and full of love for you, that are holding yours on your wedding day, as you promise to love each other today, tomorrow, and forever.

These are the hands that will work alongside yours, as together you build your future.

These are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, and with the slightest touch, will comfort you like no other.

These are the hands that will hold you when fear or grief fills your mind.

These are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes; tears of sorrow, and tears of joy.

These are the hands that will tenderly hold your children.

These are the hands that will help you to hold your family as one.

These are the hands that will give you strength when you need it.

And lastly, these are the hands that even when wrinkled and aged, will still be reaching for yours, still giving you the same unspoken tenderness with just a touch.