You might think, after spending all of my time around beautiful weddings, I might become a bit jaded. Not have the same excitement when I open up a new set of photos from someone’s fabulous day. The fact of the matter is – I love every wedding more and more. Because when the weddings are THIS beautiful, with every detail meticulously and carefully thought out (by Red Letter Events), I fall in love all over again. I can’t help but fall in love with every bride, every flower, every ceremony, and every dress. I might just have the best job in the world. All thanks to weddings like this from Jennifer Bearden Photography.
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From the romantic groom … I met Lauren on a ski trip roughly two years ago. A friend of mine and I just bumped into her at the top of one of the hills. Since we both had skied/snowboarded for much longer than everyone, we pretty much hung out exclusively with each other that weekend, doing the most difficult runs, etc. In the next few months, everything just kind of clicked and kept going well for the next two years. After everything we had been through, despite having never mentioned it and generally maintaining an attitude of marriage being boring and gross, I decided that it would be both appropriate and amusing to propose to her around the two year anniversary. Originally, it was going to be on a beach trip at the end of the month, but I later came up with a plan for a ski trip that was much more fun.
We ended up going to Seven Springs resort in PA for the weekend after our two year anniversary with a bunch of our friends. The first night there, I put the ring in my left glove on my ring finger when Lauren was looking away, despite efforts from my friends (who were completely and seemingly intentionally oblivious), I was able to get Lauren alone for one last run that night. I got her to the top of a lift, saying what you would expect from a guy who was about to propose. Somehow, she still just thought I was being nice and didn’t pick up on it… which was all part of the plan. I complained about my new gloves and asked her for a second opinion when we got to the top of the hill (same as when we met). She tried the rigged one on with the ring still in that finger, and I, of course having forgotten something, couldn’t figure out a way to get on one knee that wasn’t obvious. I just kind of gave up and swatted down her ski pole and knelt to pick it up. I watched her slowly freak out (in the good way) and excitedly accept the proposal that she has since told me that she wouldn’t have expected for at least another year. She has said that she can’t think of a better way for me to have asked… and I couldn’t have asked for a more perfect reaction.
From the lovely bride … I have had a deep affection for Kiawah Island, SC (basically) my entire life. My family started vacationing when my brother, Charlie, and I were about 1 year old. There is something magical about the place that just kept drawing us back year after year. Kiawah Island has been a part of some of my greatest childhood memories; learning to ride my bike along the shore, catching blue crabs, and squealing during my first encounter with an alligator. Kiawah Island is a place of natural beauty where many have found peace along its shore. I couldn’t t imagine a more meaningful place to share with everyone on our wedding day.
I have always been inspired by the simple beauty of nature. I love being outdoors and am fascinated by the ocean and all of it’s surroundings. The setting for the wedding along the ocean is already incredibly beautiful that I just wanted to incorporate simple things from the environment into the details. I picked a soft yellow for the bridesmaid dresses to give a sunny and bright feel and we used a lot of greens and organic fibers to complement the gorgeous setting.
We have strong family ties to Ireland so I wanted to include something festive that would showcase that important piece of our family’s history. We decided to have bagpipes playing as I walked down the aisle with my Dad. I also wore a ring that had been given to my mom by my great-grandmother. Another fun thing I did was wear a University of Michigan (my alma mater) garter. My husband is from Ohio and there were a lot of Ohio State fans at the wedding so that got a lot of laughs.
Planner: Red Letter Events / Photographer: Jennifer Bearden Photography / Florist: Stems / Venue: Kiawah Ocean Course / Caterer: Kiawah Ocean Course / Lighting: TEC / Rentals: Eventworks / Pastry: Sugar Bake Shop / Ceremony Music: Bagpiper Jimmy Ryan / Reception Music: DJ Josh / Transportation: Black Cab / Bride’s Dress: Watters Bridal / Bridesmaids Dress: David’s Bridal / Groomsmen Attire: Joseph A. Banks