Her sister was buttoning up the back of her dress. It was a beautiful fit. Lace covered her back. Her train covered the floor. And her mom started to get tears. As she spun around to show them both her all put together, her mom had a gift in the dress Alie wasn’t aware of. As she lifted layer after layer, there she found a heart sewn into her gown that was taken from pieces of her mom & grandmother’s gown. They all began to cry. Tears of joy, excitement and anxiousness for the day ahead.

Alie had asked me, would you prefer to be my photographer and work or attend the wedding and be a guest? Of course, I wanted to be both. And that I was. But I felt like I had got to be a VIP wedding guest seeing all the behind the scenes action on a dear friend’s wedding day. And seeing her get dressed into her beautiful, white gown, I couldn’t help but have tears as well. Alie made a stunning bride.

A September wedding here in Ohio would make one think of fall and cooler weather. Nick & Alie’s big day fell right into the Indian summer’s we get here in Ohio. It was warm, sunny and a thunderstorm was on the radar. But that seems to be the theme this year with weddings! I kept checking the radar hoping it could just hold off until they walked into the reception and it did! What a blessing!

Nick & Alie’s reception was adorned with candles that made the room so romantic. Her cake table was my favorite part. There surrounding her cake, framed pictures of a bride & groom cutting, eating and feeding cake to one another. It was the sweetest nod to all the years of marriage they have as a guide to them.

Nick & Alie, I was overjoyed to spend the day with you two. You compliment and complete each other so well and I wish you both so, so many years of happiness and love together.