Tuesday, December 11, 2018

Giving Gifts at Your Wedding








I’ve noticed a strong trend of gift-giving at weddings.   I’ve also noticed that the wedding favors are becoming things that people will actually use, and not lose or throw away later.  Mollie chose chapstick with custom labels for her early fall wedding.  I don’t know about you… but I am forever moisturizing my lips in the winter, so I practically screamed out “Yes!” when I was offered one of these favors.  There weren’t many favors left at the end of the night, either.  





Wedding day is a good time to show gratitude to those you love.  It leaves a more lasting imprint in the memory, too, which I think comes in handy during hard times.  (And you know there will be the challenging days along with the falling rose petal days!) 



Mollie chose a bracelet for her mother, knowing she enjoys beautiful things.  She chose a custom inscribed hammer for her husband which read, “As We Build Our Lives Together.”  She added his favorite candy to the gift which further said to him, “I thought about you as a person.”  “I thought about what you mean to me, how hard you work for our family, and added a sweet way to make the tough times bearable.”






As head of the household, Logan chose the absolute perfect gift for Mollie… a Bible with her name inscribed on the front, and their wedding date written inside the cover.   Placing God first in the marriage is the best way to ensure its success!





These days, the internet gives a myriad of opportunities for creative gifts.  I’d be willing to bet that someone out there can make whatever you’re thinking about with a quick Google search.    Start brainstorming and simply writing down little key words that describe your partner, and then narrow a few words down to a search like “gifts for….”  In addition to a broad Google search, one of the best go-to sites for custom gift ideas is still Etsy.



Pinterest has a lot of great ideas, too, but it’s more for the quick choices and less for the creative thought process, in my opinion.  But then again, you know someone who had an original thought put it out there to get it started… and if it’s a good one, well why not go with it?  If the shoe fits, wear it.  LOL



The most important thing is that you take the time to consider the one you love in a way they will appreciate and cherish.  Ask yourself, “will they put this in a drawer and forget about it, or will they find some use and enjoyment from it?”  If it will build on the relationship, that’s even better!  So… here’s to wedding day gift-giving!

Thursday, December 06, 2018

Signed, Sealed, and Recorded in the Bible







Zach and Ayla’s names are forever written in the cover of their family Bible.  This long-standing tradition was practiced by my own family, and I still cherish my great-grandmother’s written words in a book that barely stays together now.  (It wasn’t a Bible that sat on a shelf… it was regularly read from.)



This wedding pulled on our heart strings because Ayla’s parents passed some years ago.  She had developed an even stronger family since then, but a girl never forgets her mother and father.  I’m sure that’s why she set up a candle and pictures in memory of them and tied their wedding rings to her bouquet. 






Ayla’s son was honored more than once during the wedding.  He was the designated ring bearer, and he was included in the blending of the sands in a unique hour glass vase.  We’ve seen a lot of unity sand vases over the years, and this particular version is my favorite!


                        
                        


Ayla’s love for horses drew her to our farm, and Sugar bonded with her immediately.  We managed to walk into the horse field during the sweetest light of the day, too!  The sun caressed everything it touched, making every scene we photographed worthy of a book cover.  Sugar stood as close to Ayla as she could get, as if to hug her, and my heart felt this interaction.  This is why I enjoy being a wedding photographer so much!  These are the moments that drive me.





Everything just seemed to fall into place on their wedding day, October 6th, 2018. Early fall is the best time to get married in the Smoky Mountains!



Ayla chose our “Country Charm” wedding package, with five hours of activity time for their ceremony, photography, and reception.  Chef Tony brought another of his mouth-watering meals and artistic cakes, From the Heart Florist wowed with a fall themed bouquet, and Jack Russell of KnoxVegas DJ’s entertained. 



 Ayla, you are a true beauty!  Our prayers and love will be with you and Zach during your marriage journey.   What God has joined together, let no man put asunder!