Lauren and Garrett : Grayhawk Golf Glub
March 20, 2010
filed in Weddings
This post means a lot to me. I have no idea where to even begin to write about this wedding, the amazing couple and their families. I have once again been blow away by God's never ending amount of grace he has given us and this wedding is a true testimony to just that.
Last year, I posted a free wedding giveaway. I really wasn't quite sure what to expect and I really wasn't sure anyone would even submit an entry to my contest... but I gave it a try. I was worried I would be sitting at my computer tapping my pen against my desk waiting for someone to just enter. To my surprise, there were A LOT of engaged couples that actually checked my blog! It seemed to spread like wildfire to anyone that was engaged at the time and was to be married in 2010. The contest had only a few rules. The couple was to be married in 2010 and I needed to know WHY each entry was deserving of free photography for their wedding.
Within a few days, I received more than just a few entries. I was SHOCKED and blown away by how honest everyone was about their lives and love for their future spouses. I felt honored to have read every single entry. Although there were some great entires, only one really soaked into my heart more than the others.
When I first read Lauren and Garrett's story, I cried. I couldn't seem to move on from her e-mail and the words she used when she spoke about her father and just why it was so important to her to have us photograph her wedding. While reading through all the entires, I read through Lauren's e-mail over and over again with a somber heart and heavy eyes. I knew I had found the wedding I so badly wanted to be apart of. I knew Lauren's words were honest and true.
I left out a few parts that were only meant for me... but here is Lauren's story :
I received your name from one of my dearest friends and she happily gave me your name when I got engaged in February this year. We have been close friends since kindergarten and have shared many similar life experiences, both happy and sad; in fact it's really strange how similar our lives have been. Fortunately, these similarities have brought us closer as friends and helped us weather the bad times and cherish the good times. Unfortunately, one thing we share is the loss of our fathers. My dad passed away suddenly at the age of 47 in a motorcycle accident on 7/7/07, and of course my best friend was the first of my friends to be at my side that day. Since then, she has been an unbelievable source of comfort and strength. I was really moved by the way she incorporated her father's spirit into her wedding ceremony through that beautiful song that was played. After becoming engaged, I have been searching for a special way to honor my dad at my wedding as well.
What really inspired me to write to you was my dad's passion for photography. As a teenager attending Chaparral High School, my dad discovered his knack for shooting beautiful pictures. He enrolled in photography classes at school, joined the yearbook staff, and even built a dark room in his parents’ house to develop his photos. I can remember throughout my childhood, my dad was always the one documenting every moment with his camera: portraits of my brother and I, action shots of us playing sports, and even creative landscape pictures. In fact, at my graduation from Texas Christian University, we laughed as he took photos of the massive mess of confetti and silly string left as the aftermath of the student celebration, saying they were his “artistic shots”. We laughed then, but no one could deny the true artistry and emotion that was evident in those shots as we looked at them on the computer the next day. He really had that special eye for capturing special moments.
My dad was always the man behind the lens, rather than the one in the picture, which made it difficult to put together photos for his memorial service. However, one of my most prized possessions is his camera that survived the crash. On it was the last pictures taken of his motorcycle trip through the beautiful Colorado mountains, including pictures of him with friends and relatives. These pictures will forever be a reminder of my dad’s passion for adventure and photography.
While I feel blessed that my fiancé Garrett had the opportunity to know my dad before he passed, I want my dad’s spirit to continue to be present in our daily lives as a married couple. I know that your artistic and fresh, yet classic style would be exactly the way my dad would want our wedding photos to be. They would be a great tribute to him and his legacy. Garrett and I will be married at Pinnacle Presbyterian Church in Scottsdale with our reception at Grayhawk Golf Club on March 13, 2010, the day after what would have been my dad’s 50th birthday. In honor of him, we are hoping to have a beautiful wedding celebration full of his favorite things: good music, good food, and lots of good pictures!
I apologize for the lengthy note; it’s amazing how certain things just cause the words to flow right out of you! I have attached a picture of me and my fiancé so that you can put a name with a face. All the best to you, you truly have a gift.
God bless!
I couldn't have felt more blessed to be apart of such an amazing day. It was truly a beautiful day and as Stephen and I drove home that night, we felt so blessed to have such amazing people in our lives that we get to work with. What an absolute honor to have shared this day with you both. As I write this post and reflect on the gorgeous wedding day, I am reminded more and more just as to why I love this job so much. I love that I am able to give a gift to someone that has been given to me. Lauren and Garrett, thank you for allowing us to photograph your wedding day and for letting us document the most important day of your lives. I couldn't have imagined working with a more amazing couple with more beautiful hearts than yours. A special thanks to AZ Petal Pusher for creating such awesome designs at the wedding, Easton Ashe for bringing some AWESOME music to the wedding and Ashley Maddox the very talented videographer! It was awesome working with you guys! Click HERE to view a slideshow of the day.
Lauren is reading a letter Garrett wrote her before the ceremony.
I just LOVE watching the anticipation of first looks!
Lauren seriously is one of the most beautiful girls ive ever met.
Lauren wanted to make sure her dad was a big part of the wedding and I LOVED how she had a photo of him next to a cross on her bouquet. A special thanks to AZ Petal Pusher for doing such an AWESOME job with all the details and flowers.
Again, I cannot say more about Tamera at AZ Petal Pusher. She never ceases to amaze me with her creative designs!!
I LOVE this photo stephen took. There is just something so whimsical about it.
I loved this little detail that Lauren and Garrett made. The Happily Ever After Ale was a hit!
Grayhawk Golf Club is such a gorgeous venue and the staff was so awesome to work with.
Lauren's dad Scott LOVED this little cookies on the right. ... I might add that we tried one and we LOVE them!
I love Lauren's funky dancing :)
March 20, 2010
filed in Weddings
T
his post means a lot to me. I have no idea where to even begin to write about this wedding, the amazing couple and their families. I have once again been blow away by God's never ending amount of grace he has given us and this wedding is a true testimony to just that. Last year, I posted a free wedding giveaway. I really wasn't quite sure what to expect and I really wasn't sure anyone would even submit an entry to my contest... but I gave it a try. I was worried I would be sitting at my computer tapping my pen against my desk waiting for someone to just enter. To my surprise, there were A LOT of engaged couples that actually checked my blog! It seemed to spread like wildfire to anyone that was engaged at the time and was to be married in 2010. The contest had only a few rules. The couple was to be married in 2010 and I needed to know WHY each entry was deserving of free photography for their wedding.
Within a few days, I received more than just a few entries. I was SHOCKED and blown away by how honest everyone was about their lives and love for their future spouses. I felt honored to have read every single entry. Although there were some great entires, only one really soaked into my heart more than the others.
When I first read Lauren and Garrett's story, I cried. I couldn't seem to move on from her e-mail and the words she used when she spoke about her father and just why it was so important to her to have us photograph her wedding. While reading through all the entires, I read through Lauren's e-mail over and over again with a somber heart and heavy eyes. I knew I had found the wedding I so badly wanted to be apart of. I knew Lauren's words were honest and true.
I left out a few parts that were only meant for me... but here is Lauren's story :
I received your name from one of my dearest friends and she happily gave me your name when I got engaged in February this year. We have been close friends since kindergarten and have shared many similar life experiences, both happy and sad; in fact it's really strange how similar our lives have been. Fortunately, these similarities have brought us closer as friends and helped us weather the bad times and cherish the good times. Unfortunately, one thing we share is the loss of our fathers. My dad passed away suddenly at the age of 47 in a motorcycle accident on 7/7/07, and of course my best friend was the first of my friends to be at my side that day. Since then, she has been an unbelievable source of comfort and strength. I was really moved by the way she incorporated her father's spirit into her wedding ceremony through that beautiful song that was played. After becoming engaged, I have been searching for a special way to honor my dad at my wedding as well.
What really inspired me to write to you was my dad's passion for photography. As a teenager attending Chaparral High School, my dad discovered his knack for shooting beautiful pictures. He enrolled in photography classes at school, joined the yearbook staff, and even built a dark room in his parents’ house to develop his photos. I can remember throughout my childhood, my dad was always the one documenting every moment with his camera: portraits of my brother and I, action shots of us playing sports, and even creative landscape pictures. In fact, at my graduation from Texas Christian University, we laughed as he took photos of the massive mess of confetti and silly string left as the aftermath of the student celebration, saying they were his “artistic shots”. We laughed then, but no one could deny the true artistry and emotion that was evident in those shots as we looked at them on the computer the next day. He really had that special eye for capturing special moments.
My dad was always the man behind the lens, rather than the one in the picture, which made it difficult to put together photos for his memorial service. However, one of my most prized possessions is his camera that survived the crash. On it was the last pictures taken of his motorcycle trip through the beautiful Colorado mountains, including pictures of him with friends and relatives. These pictures will forever be a reminder of my dad’s passion for adventure and photography.
While I feel blessed that my fiancé Garrett had the opportunity to know my dad before he passed, I want my dad’s spirit to continue to be present in our daily lives as a married couple. I know that your artistic and fresh, yet classic style would be exactly the way my dad would want our wedding photos to be. They would be a great tribute to him and his legacy. Garrett and I will be married at Pinnacle Presbyterian Church in Scottsdale with our reception at Grayhawk Golf Club on March 13, 2010, the day after what would have been my dad’s 50th birthday. In honor of him, we are hoping to have a beautiful wedding celebration full of his favorite things: good music, good food, and lots of good pictures!
I apologize for the lengthy note; it’s amazing how certain things just cause the words to flow right out of you! I have attached a picture of me and my fiancé so that you can put a name with a face. All the best to you, you truly have a gift.
God bless!
I couldn't have felt more blessed to be apart of such an amazing day. It was truly a beautiful day and as Stephen and I drove home that night, we felt so blessed to have such amazing people in our lives that we get to work with. What an absolute honor to have shared this day with you both. As I write this post and reflect on the gorgeous wedding day, I am reminded more and more just as to why I love this job so much. I love that I am able to give a gift to someone that has been given to me. Lauren and Garrett, thank you for allowing us to photograph your wedding day and for letting us document the most important day of your lives. I couldn't have imagined working with a more amazing couple with more beautiful hearts than yours. A special thanks to AZ Petal Pusher for creating such awesome designs at the wedding, Easton Ashe for bringing some AWESOME music to the wedding and Ashley Maddox the very talented videographer! It was awesome working with you guys! Click HERE to view a slideshow of the day.
