She waved excitedly at me as the girls pulled into the clubhouse and as she got out of the car and ran up to hug me, you could sense the excitement in and around her.  It was her wedding day!!

But even in the midst of excitement, there were moments when I could tell she was a tad reserved and she finally admitted that it was nerves.  Not the kind that make you second guess your decision, but the kind that keeps pushing you forward because you’ve waited for this particular day for what seems like forever.  So, she did what she needed to do – but had fun in the process!  The girls put on some Katy Perry as they got ready and danced and laughed and hugged.

As she put on her dress, I could see a few of those nerves dissipate.  She breathed deeper and inhaled the beauty of the day.  She was STUNNING.  And it was when I asked all the other girls to leave so we could get a few portraits that I teared up.  Anna, the 15 year old girl that got on a plane to Peru with the sweetest love letter from her boyfriend of just a few months was now about to walk down the aisle to marry this boy.  This boy that had pursued her, learned her, and loved her was now going to promise to pursue her, love her and protect her for the rest of their lives.

I WISH I could have bottled up the excitement from the two of them as they approached their first look!  Anna could hardly contain herself and Ben was just trying to stay in one place.  As he turned to see his bride, he took her in her arms, kissed her and hugged her.  And immediately, as if he had snapped his fingers and made everything alright, her nerves were gone.  He was all she needed in that moment.

The only thing that overshadowed their love for each other last Friday was their love, devotion, and faith in God.  As they promised to love each other, they promised to always put God first.  They wouldn’t have been standing there that day if not for Him so they made a vow to the Lord that He was the head, the center, the beginning and the end of their marriage.  And I couldn’t have been more moved or loved either of them any more than in that moment.

Ben and Anna… thank you.  Thank you for not just letting me and my Ben photograph your wedding day, but thank you for letting me a part of your lives.  Thank you for trusting me and letting me speak into you even when it wasn’t easy.  Thank you for letting me read your first love letter, thank you for letting me share in your joy, in your frustrations, in your life.  You are both such a huge encouragement and I can’t wait to see how God uses you as a team for His Kingdom.

Much love, Sabrina

This Belgian lace veil had been worn by Anna’s great-grandmother and she was now the 4th woman in their family to wear it!

Anna, you are beautiful on any given day, but you made the MOST stunning bride.

Gah!  Tears!

The Cliffs at Glassy Chapel is so pretty… any time of year.

Anna and Ben decided to do a First Look and it was the perfect choice for them.

You don’t get to do this when you first walk down the aisle…

…or this!

They were so excited!

Love this!

We hopped inside for a few minutes for some portraits… mainly so Anna could warm up!

Love this!

How gorgeous is that view??

Oh my heavens, another favorite!

My Ben got this one.  He’s so good with these detail shots!

He also got this one of some of the groomsmen and I love it!

I asked the guys to give me their best GQ/model face and this is what Ben does… ha!  So him!

Are these girls not gorgeous??  And I am so in love with their dresses from Mod Cloth.

This might be my favorite “walking photo” ever!

And while I love so many from the day, this one is my most treasured :-)

And then it was time…

Just… gorgeous…

They’re married!!

So in love with this photo…

You two!!  Could you BE any more photogenic??

My Ben got this one… and I’m kinda jealous.

The reception was at the barn of some family friends and it was the perfect setting for their rustic vintage wedding.  I wanted to just hang out there all night!

There were fire places and fire pits everywhere.  SO cozy!
I’m also kind of in love with their monogram…

They even had a cigar bar!!

A friend played an acoustic version of Katy Perry’s Unconditionally and it was beautiful.

Ben’s mom was so sweet (and a bit teary) all day, and I just LOVE this photo of them at the end of the parent dances.

Oh my heavens… we could NOT have asked for a better field or a better sunset for these.
The one on the right is one of my favorites.

My Ben got these next two….

…as I was getting this one.

And this one!  Oh my goodness you guys!!

See??  Cozy!!

Anna and Ben’s parents – thank you guys for such an amazing day and making me feel like a part of the family.

Ceremony | The Cliffs at Glassy Chapel
Reception | Family Friend’s Barn
Dress | The Dress Bridal Consignment Boutique
Bridesmaids | Mod Cloth
Groomsmen | Men’s Warehouse & Kohl’s
Hair & Makeup | Wilson’s on Washington
Flowers | Greg Foster
Wedding Cake & Desserts | Friends and Brick Street Cafe
Band | Midnight City
Catering | Mary Francis Brock
Tent | Event Rentals