The forecast said rain when we Facetime’d with Gina & Justin just 5 days before their wedding day. And we always stay positive when it comes to rain on a wedding day. Nobody wants it to pour on their wedding day, and even with all the positive spins people have thought of, you can normally tell that it is upsetting to clients. But, before we could even get out our own little response to rain, Gina told Justin “90 percent chance of rain” in which Justin quickly responded “100 percent chance we’ll get married”.  ..throughout their wedding day all they could focus on was walking down the aisle married to each other, rain or shine.

We were lucky enough to get to know these guys more than most of our clients, we met them in person for coffee before they booked, photographed their engagement session, and even was there on their rehearsal dinner, at Fairview Farm, where they were staying and getting married at the following day. And it was at their rehearsal that the sky opened up, dumping all of the weekends rain in one fell swoop, to give us a cooler, less humid, and beautiful wedding day! Gina & Justin are insanely genuine and we are so happy to say these two are truly more than clients, they are now some of our sweet friends. 

These two started their day at Fairview Farm, just a couple hundred yards away from each other, and surrounded by their amazing family and bridal party. They shared a first look, with Justin losing it when he turned to see his beautiful bride. The excitement and emotion couldn’t be contained by the bridal party and family either… Justin’s mother told us she wasn’t going to cry, and when we started their family portraits of just her and Justin, the first thing she did was tear up, before quickly pinching her fingers together to try and stop the sweet tears of joy she had! Their outdoor ceremony included the sweetest flower girl and junior bridesmaid as well as a bourbon barrel as their unity item, blended with two different bourbons they each poured.  They wrote their own vows during their ceremony, sharing a handkerchief as they read their sweet notes to each other, even causing me to get choked up! It continued into the evening with the father of the groom who was also Justin’s best man, giving a short heartfelt message, before Gina’s sweet sister, who read her entire toast on the verge of crying. She knew it as well, saying “I was sure I would start crying at page 4, not at the end of page 1”.

This entire wedding was one day full of joy. It’s that kind of joy that just changes the way you feel just being in the presence of people sharing in it. I don’t know if it’s just us as wedding photographers that we get to share in so many amazing wedding days, which lets us be part of that joy. But Gina & Justin’s wedding will be one that I will think back on and remember their joy for years to come. Congratulations Gina & Justin, we are so thankful to be a part of your beautiful wedding, and we are so so blessed to have gotten to know you.

– The Vendor Team –

Wedding Planner/Coordinator  | Chelsea Moring with Illumination Events Studio

Florist | Vogue

Caterer | Goodrich Gourmet Catering Company

Bakery | Pearls Cupcake Shoppe

DJ/Entertainment | DJ Casey Ball

Bridal Salon | Bridal Elegance

Dress | Clasablanca

Hair | Sandra Ross

Makeup | Cameron Carson

Videographer | Alex Wheeler Media