Nicole, Brandon, and I spent A LOT of time together. In the history of my being a wedding photographer; these two win the contest in terms of how well I got to know a couple. I shot their engagement session, their first wedding (thanks again to Covid) and their second...vow renewal a year later. They even gave me a B&H card with a little note that said, 'for lost gear'. That's how well they got to know me. I have so many photos of them. They feel like family at this point. So I'll take you back to the start when I met them about 3 years ago.
Nicole and Brandon had the pleasure of being one of the lucky couples that planned their wedding smack dab in the beginning of the pandemic (oy!). After a lot of crying and rescheduling; they decided to have a small ceremony in the church with just family and friends, and planned their actual wedding party for the following year.
Fast forward almost a year and a half later, Covid had loosened its grip a bit and people were ready to get back out there. I got a phone call from Nicole saying the party was back on, and I was grabbed my gear and headed over to meet them at the hotel to grab these great images of them getting ready! I don't know if it was because they were already married, or if it was just because they're an awesome couple...the day was off to a super great relaxed start.
After grabbing some quick portraits with their friends and family we headed out to their beautiful venue, the Mill at Spring Lake. It was a cold day in February, and I had to remind everyone to 'look warm'. I think they did a pretty good job, no? You can't really tell that it was 18 degrees outside from their faces. After they braved the cold, we finished off a few more portraits inside the venue and then it was time for Nicole and Brandon were tucked away as their guests started to arrive.
Even though they were already married, they had missed out on all of their loved ones being present for their vows. To have witnesses present when you say the words makes it all the more powerful and meaningful. They did not disappoint anyone with the second chance they were given. In fact, I would say they looked even more confident and assured that they were each others' true choice.
After they were pronounced (again) man and wife, the applause that erupted was wild. It seems like their friends and family had been waiting a long time for this party and they were ready to get down! So was I. After a beautiful cocktail hour (the Mill at Spring Lake has a killer cocktail hour) we kicked off the festivities with dancing and speeches.
Brandon and Nicole's family shared some funny moments relaying the experience of trying to plan a wedding in a pandemic. I'm glad they were able to laugh about the experience. Even on that day in the church, Brandon and Nicole were still beaming with joy, despite the fact that none of it had gone they way that they wanted. I'm thrilled they were still able to have the wedding of their dreams, and I am beyond honored that they trusted me and stuck with me the whole way. I feel like a sister to them after all of that, and I'll be watching and rooting for their future success every step of the way. Stay weird, you two!
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