This wedding was a feast for the senses. When Ben & I pulled up to the vineyard, it was like a scene out of a Robert Frost poem. Lush wide open space, white benches, mason jars, quilts…and two little ducks that followed us around everywhere. Laura & Mike infused all the things they love most into their day & every element had a story behind it. They both grew up in the south & wanted to create a little slice of southern heaven for their guests. Mike is an avid gardener, fisherman & hunter, so Laura made sure to have a few surprises up her sleeve for him. The vintage seed packets that she used as place cards for their guests, the boutonniere made of duck feathers, and even the two deer used on their wishing wall were all lovingly chosen as surprises for Mike. I should note that the larger buck “bride” ( named Ramone ) you see below was from Laura’s one & only hunt. Told ya…she’s a southern gal through & through. Don’t you just love a girl who can hunt with the guys & still be drop-dead gorgeous in a wedding dress? If you know Laura, you know..she’s all heart. She doesn’t sweat the small stuff ( as is evidenced by her 4 very large dogs that I met during their engagement session..) and family is very important to her. Mike is without a doubt…the one for her. He loves the fact that she isn’t afraid to hook a giant bass, or four-wheel in the dirt…or ride to their reception in a tractor lift ( yep, she’s fearless ). And Mike? Well…Mike happens to be one of my favorite grooms of all time. He’s one of the few guys I know who isn’t afraid to wear his heart on his sleeve ( he’s going to kill me for writing that..but its true ). Just watch the slideshow below & you’ll see what I mean…
There were so many incredible, sigh-inducing moments throughout their day, its tough to pick a favorite…but one does come to mind. After their first look, Laura handed Mike a small recycled egg crate, and said “When my mom first met you, she said you were a good egg..” and he opened the crate to find a little plastic Easter egg. The egg held a tiny frame with a photo of Mike’s grandfather who recently passed away. It was one moment in the thousands I’ve photographed…that I’ll never forget.
So when I got this email from Laura a week ago ( which she allowed me to share ), my heart sank:
“I was just thinking of you today. Your email has just made my 3 weeks!!! Married life has not been what many would consider very normal for Mike and I…Three days after returning from our honeymoon (which was incredible!) I was diagnosed with cervical cancer. The scan found an aggressively growing 5 cm. tumor on the interior of my cervix. They were able to move the ovaries to a higher position within my abdomen so my eggs will be most viable which was the most wonderful news because the only reasonable treatment to rid my body of the cancer was to perform a radical hysterectomy which was done last Tuesday. It has all been very surreal and we are still so dumbfounded at all of this.
So it has been a wild ride since we saw you last and I just want to say that I am so appreciative that we had you there to capture such an incredibly special day of our lives. I don’t know if it makes any sense to say that our wedding day now means so much more to me than I ever could have thought it would because in such a short time we have been truly tested as husband and wife. To be able to have those moments from the day that Mike vowed to stand by my side…sheesh…I don’t know if you have ever had a bride full out sob over your pictures but I can almost guarantee it will happen next week-but I promise that they will be the most heartfelt tears of gratitude to you and your brother for giving us the gift of being able to look back on that day. I just wanted to thank you, in advance, and I wanted you to hear it from a very raw place just what an unbelievable gift your talent gives to people.”
After reading this email, I patted away the tears and rattled off a few choice words directed at cancer. Then I flipped through their wedding gallery & was reminded just how fearless Laura is. She & Mike have the kind of love that can endure anything…even cancer. She’s on the road to recovery & I hope these images give her a constant reminder of how truly loved she is.
Laura & Mike..thanks for sharing your day with us. Hugs to you both.
Location- Autumn Creek Vineyards
Dress- Pronovias
Flower on sash- Twigs & Honey
Hair/Makeup- the one & only Megan Snipes with Salon Medusa
Shoes- JCrew
Bridesmaid Dresses- Amsale
Suits & Ties- Jos. A Banks
Flowers- RSVP Events
Design & Coordination- RSVP Events
Pies- all family recipes bakes by Sanctuary House
Bluegrass Band- Hey Rabbit
Reception Band- Another Level
Second shooter- my super talented brother Ben
To see more from Laura & Mike’s day ( including their emotional first look ) click below. Song by The Civil Wars.
What a beautiful couple!!! Love the pictures Kellie!!!!
Gorgeous couple! And nothing is sweeter than including a pup in the pictures! LOVE the puppy kisses that you caught- what an adorable family. I know I say it everytime… but I can’t comment without writing… Kellie… once again, job well done!
Wow! These pictures are gorgeous! It probably doesn’t hurt to have such attractive subjects. Impressive.
These are fantastic! I’m loving the Bodie kisses too – very cute!
Beautiful pictures – love the one of Tim hugging Megan from behind :)
Great pictures! I can’t wait to see the rest of them!
Whoaaaa, so stunning!
Love this!
Wow! These photos are fabulous! I have seen a lot of pictures of Megan and Tim, and knew they are photogenic, but these are over the top wonderful. A gorgeous setting, and I do love the face lick! (I’m thinking Bodie can match Tim kiss for kiss…)
Kellie, you are the best!!! We love the pictures and can’t wait to see the rest! Thanks again!
As Tim’s sister, I would be expected to gush over the pictures no matter what, but these are truly wonderful! Very touching and sweet, and you obviously captured the love they have for one another!
I love you both so much! These pictures are absolutely perfect. They capture your tremendous beauty, sweet spirits and love for one another. So happy for y’all…xo katie
I’m so excited about Tim & Megan’s upcoming nuptials – and about meeting Megan & Bodie – I haven’t had the opportunity yet!!! I love the top picture of them wrapped in the blankets and looking at each other. I also like the one where he’s kissing her hand (and the one in which they’re kissing!). The one where he’s hugging her from behind is precious – and all of the photos with Bodie are adorable! Soooo…I think I basically like them all! Thank you for sharing these terrific photos with us all!
Great job! My favorite is the one where Tim is nuzzling Megan’s ear. Can’t wait to see the rest!
Gorgeous photos! Megan and Tim, you look wonderful!
Absolutely beautiful photos of all – including Bodie!
Megan and Tim, these are soul-deep beautiful photos of love – truly inspiring!
Love love love love! Especially the puppy kiss :) Gorgeous bride to be!