Susie & Brian: Wedding

On her wedding day, she didn’t cry or get emotional - she just smiled. She smiled from ear to ear the entirety of their perfect day. Getting ready, taking photos, walking down the aisle, saying vows, and celebrating at the reception – everything was full of glowing grins. And really, Susie’s smiles captured not only the atmosphere of the wedding, but also the love that she and Brian share. Their wedding was so full of joy and happiness that all who attended knew that they were witnessing something truly special. Susie and Brian were celebrating the love they have for each other, their friendship that had grown over many years, and the joining of their two families. The resulting happiness exuding from this amazing couple was undeniably infectious, and smiles, laughs, and tears of joy were seen throughout the wedding party and guests.

Susie and Brian, I know that the future holds even more joy for your life together. Your love for each other is beautiful and I couldn’t be more elated for the two of you!

I love this ring holder!

The next few photos are why I LOVE first looks! When Susie and Brian saw each other before the ceremony they couldn't contain their excitement and their love for each other is so evident. These are some of my favorites from the day.

Susie and Brian got married at the beautiful Whitlock Inn in Marietta, GA. The setting couldn't have been more romantic.

Susie was an unbelievably beautiful bride.






Their first dance as a married couple.


Toasts!

Three Balloons

They sang "Happy Birthday" as three note-filled balloons drifted up into the sky. Higher and higher they went until they disappeared into the clouds. One balloon was from her husband, one from her children, and one from her grandchildren. The balloons contained sweet messages, fond memories, and notes conveying how much we all miss her. Today is my grandmother's birthday and it was celebrated yesterday with remembrance and love.

It's been two long months since we lost my grandmother. She was the glue that held our huge family together. She would keep us full with her delicious pies, German potato salad, and assortment of Christmas cookies. She warmed us with her beautiful hand-sewn quilts and welcoming smile. She gave us joy with her sense of humor and infectious giggle. And we always felt loved when she held our face in her hands and said "I love you."

Today, on her birthday, it is a beautiful warm sunny day - her favorite - and I am overwhelmed with memories. The last time I saw her is vividly etched in my mind. I can still see her slowly walking up to me with outstretched arms and a smile. I can still hear her laugh while she holds my face in her hands. I can still hear her say "I love you and come back soon" while she kisses me goodbye. I cling desperately to this memory of her as if it could disappear at any moment. Our family will never be the same, but she is always in our hearts and these memories will last forever.

I hope that my grandmother was looking down on my family yesterday - smiling while they sang happy birthday, reading the notes on the balloons that floated up to her, and hugging my mom who needs to feel the love of her mother just once more. Grandma, we miss you more than you could ever know.

6 Years!

When I was a teenager, I would dream about my future husband and the life we would have together. I dreamt that we would have an adorable little house with a white picket fence. Our two children would be romping in the yard with our perfectly quirky dog and I would be enjoying every day with the person I loved.

So fast forward a few years. The two children are non-existent, but hopefully in the future at some point. Our perfect dog has manifested itself into our “adopted” pets - my parents' crazy Boxer and my in-laws’ three clumsy Basset Hounds. And that adorable little house with the picket fence? Well, let’s just say the house hunt has been an adventure and we haven’t given up hope yet!

Although the house, dog, and children haven’t become a reality yet, as a teenager, I never thought that I would have met, fell in love with, and married such an amazing, thoughtful, and caring person. Yes, I imagined the ideal husband, but it didn’t cross my mind that the ideal could have been surpassed so greatly. Douglas is more than I could have ever asked for in so many ways, and today, on our 6th anniversary, I am reminded that my dream really did come true. I married the person that is my best friend, my love, my inspiration, and my life. Never would I have guessed that Douglas would make me so unbelievably happy and I am so thankful to know that whatever life does bring, I have him to live it with.

Photograph by Sarah Gibbs Photography

Sarah & Slayden: Engagement

Sometimes it takes a difficult time in your life to realize how much you love and care for the person that was there for you all along. That was the case with Sarah and Slayden. Slayden transferred to Sarah's small private high school at the start of their junior year. From the beginning, Sarah wanted nothing to do with Slayden, and even though they had mutual friends, it wasn't until the end of the school year that they got to know each other. During the summer leading to their senior year, the friendship continued to grow. It grew through a very hard time in Sarah's life and Slayden was always there to listen and offer a shoulder to lean on. It was through this difficult time that Sarah and Slayden realized how much they truly cared for each other and that their relationship had grown into something more - love.

Over the course of five years, Slayden and Sarah graduated high school, attended college together, and later this month, will earn their degrees together. Together they leaned on each other through the good and bad, and together they can make it through anything life brings. When they exchange rings and vows this October, they know that together, they will have each other to support and love for the rest of their lives.

Just Ours

Bacon was cooking, hollandaise sauce was bubbling, and english muffins were popping out of the toaster. It was Easter morning and I was making our annual eggs benedict Easter brunch. Douglas got on the phone to wish his parents a happy Easter and told them that I was making eggs benedict... the one time out of the whole year that I make it. As I was stirring sauce and flipping eggs, I smiled to myself. This is our tradition. Douglas and I don't have family in town and we are always comforted by family traditions that we grew up with. But this was one of the first times that I felt like it was our tradition... just ours. As we sat down to eat our meal I realized how lucky I am to be able to start new traditions with my little family of two, as small as they may be.

Madeleine: 1 Year Session

Madeleine recently turned one and her parents asked me to take photographs to document the occasion. All I can say is this baby is so adorable! She was so expressive and was a perfect little model the entire shoot! She was all smiles and didn't care when we changed outfits or locations. To add a little personality, her mom made a birthday hat, wrapped a birthday present, and brought balloons and a cupcake. Madeleine LOVED the cupcake and I loved the details!

Wedding Organizer on Steroids

I LOVE being organized....it seriously makes me happy. It's sad that few things give me as much joy as a label maker and The Container Store. So when my sister got engaged, I knew that my organizational skills were in order - in the form of making a wedding planning binder. When I got engaged I was frustrated by the lack of good wedding planning tools. Sure, Martha Stewart's wedding tips are great and wedding blogs are beautiful, but I couldn't seem to find the perfect planner. So I decided that if I wanted the best wedding planner possible for my sister, I would have to make it myself.

Since the wedding season is quickly approaching, I thought I would share the monster wedding book I made for my sister. It's pretty much a planner on steroids, and I must say, it's kind of awesome.

If you want to make one of these handy-dandy planners for yourself, this is what you need:
- 1 white 3-inch three-ring binder with a clear plastic pocket in the front and back
- At least 5 clear zippered pencil pouches that have three-ring binder holes. (These can be used to hold any clippings, inspirational photographs, fabric swatches, etc.)
- 24 or so tabbed dividers
- Photos of you and your fiance
- And last but not least, you need wedding planner forms. I think that Russell and Hazel has the BEST wedding planner sheets. When I saw them, I literally squealed with delight and practically did a little jig. They are amazing. You can get their free downloads by clicking here. You should use them...you will thank me later. :o)

Happy planning!

21 Days and Counting...

There she was, a little girl walking through Target drinking her Diet Coke. Just minding her own business. Little did she know that I was having visions of tackling her in the bread aisle and ripping that Diet Coke right out of her hands. Seriously....I had to hold myself back. And really, how dare she? Didn't she know that I was on my third day of withdrawals?!

They say it takes 21 days to make a habit, so I'm hoping that it takes 21 days to break a habit. I'm not really sure if it works that way, but I'm giving it a try. Today is officially the 21st day of me quitting Diet Coke. And, oh, how I miss it. I've pondered the thought of giving it up many times. Really, it was my only vice (besides shoe shopping), but it had to go. It wasn't worth the tidal wave of chemicals my body endured every time I drank it, and I had an inkling it was the culprit of my daily headaches. When visions of knocking over Diet Coke-toting children at Target entered my mind, I knew the addiction had reached a new and ugly level!

So, it's day 21 of being free of my favorite drink, and really, I do feel healthier. It still speaks to me - calling my name - and I still eye anyone who's drinking it within a 10-foot radius. Let's just hope I can make it to day 22 and that little girls at Target will stay clear! Diet Coke, you are evil.