Carl and Monica Wedding

Carl and Monica had planned their wedding for the beginning of May. A few weeks before, Monica began talking to me about moving their wedding up a couple weeks, due to the virus and shutdowns that were beginning to happen. Then I received a message on a Friday asking if I would be available to shoot their wedding that Sunday? I said of course! My state was not under any restrictions at that point, so I was happy to move the wedding up as I wasn’t sure I would be able to do it if the date stayed the same.

They had decided to downsize to just their family’s and the few non- family members of the bridal party. They changed it from a big church wedding with a fiesta reception, to an outdoor ceremony with no reception. Despite the downsizing, their friends and family had plenty of surprises in store to ensure the couple had a wedding day to remember!

I left bright and early on Sunday morning, drove almost 6 hours to her family’s home, and arrived at lunch time. They fed me a delicious lunch, and we proceeded to talk through the day, and then we got into the getting ready pictures. I loved my time with Monica and her family. It was so beautiful to capture photos in her home, with just her mom and her sisters, there wasn’t the usual last minute panicking (at least not that I noticed) and I thought to myself that I hope this trend continues. It was such a special day, and I know I am not the only one who noticed and felt it.

After the wedding, I left at about 6 P.M. and arrived home at 12:30 A.M. I was terribly tired as I turned onto our road, and I thanked the Lord that I hadn’t hit one of the MANY deer that had run in front of me during my drive. Moments later, I smacked one. I felt it, and my heart sank. I did NOT need another project for my husband to fix. When I inspected the damage at home, I couldn’t find anything. I don’t know what happened, because I felt it, and the deer rolled end over end before it kept running, but somehow it only took a tiny bit of paint off the front fender. I was so thankful. It was quite a day, and I was so honored to be a part of it.

Monica did a sweet first look with her dad, before the first look with her groom.

Before we went to meet Carl, Monica took a moment to read a letter he had written for her.

Carl and Monica sang the most beautiful song that Carl wrote himself for their special day.

After they were pronounced Mr and Mrs, they went over and rang the church bell…until it got stuck! 🙂

Then they thanked those who watched the wedding on live stream.

After the Ceremony, the bridal party and family, along with the couple, walked up to the road where Carl and Monica’s church family had planned a drive-by parade to celebrate!

It was one of the sweetest moments I’ve ever experienced at a wedding. I didn’t know most of these people very well at all, but I teared up at their outpouring of love for the couple.