If every experience of connecting with a couple and shooting their wedding could be simliar to Shayna and Michaels, I would consider myself the luckiest girl in the world. Months ago Shayna saw on instagram that I was nearly booked up for 2019 and immediately reached out to me about the possibility of shooting her and Michael’s wedding. This means more to photographers than most people realize. When someone wants to specifically have YOU capture their day. Not because you’re the best deal, not because you’re the most established, not because you are on a preferred vendor list, but because they found YOU and fell in love with what YOU represent. That is the dream.
Flash forward to Shayna and Mike’s engagement session when Shayna rounded the corner and greeted me with a huge hug and an, “It’s YOU!!!!!” That day solidified that these two were not just clients, but were my friends. Over the next months of the planning process Shayna and I would frequently chat over instagram and even her best friend and maid of honor, Whitney, would talk with me about The Bachelor. It all just made me the most excited I could possibly be for their wedding day.
And on the day of the wedding when the day most certainly should have been all about them, these two are so amazing that they made some of it about me! The bridal suite was stocked with La Croix because Shayna knew that I loved it (and drink far too much of it). I’d received a note from the couple just a few days before written by Mike referencing The Bachelor and the upcoming finale because again, they know I love it (and watch far too much of it). Later on at the reception Shayna remembered that I had requested “Party in the USA” on her instagram post and reminded me of that when the DJ began to play it, and the two of us danced and sang together. WHAT IN THE WORLD? These two are beyond amazing.
But if you were present at their wedding day none of that would have surprised you. Because during the speeches both Whitney and Nic, Michael’s Best Man, spoke of the type of people Shayna and Mike are. The kind of people who put others before themselves. The kind of people who are generous. The kind of people who have the Lord in their hearts and with them in all of their actions. And all of that is beyond true, except I didn’t need a speech to tell me it. Because being around Shayna and Michael it’s not the type of thing you have to be told. It’s just the type of thing you can feel.
Shayna and Michael, when I was leaving Michael spoke of what a blessing I have been to you. But let me tell you that it’s been just the opposite. The two of you have been a blessing to ME. I love the two of you and all that you represent. I know that even though your wedding day is over, we will remain friends and keep in touch. I can’t wait for the two of you to visit Charleston again so that we can reminisce about your day and how beautiful it was. Thank you for being so amazing throughout this process and for allowing me to be a part of it. You have blessed my life by being a part of it, and for that I cannot thank you enough, Mr. and Mrs. Mark.
Thank you to the amazing team who made this day possible:
VENUE: HISTORIC RICE MILL HAIR AND MAKEUP: SILHOUETTE ON SITE FLORIST: PRETTY PETALS OF CHARLESTON CAKE/DESSERTS: CARMELLA’S CAFE AND DESSERT BAR LOUNGE FURNITURE: ADORN CHARLESTON VIDEOGRAPHY: SURRENDER FILMS CATERING: GOOD FOOD CATERING BRIDE’S DRESS: LILLA’S BRIDAL BOUTIQUE BRIDE’S SHOES: BADGLEY MISCHKA BRIDEMAID’S DRESSES: DAVID’S BRIDAL GROOM AND GROOMSMEN ATTIRE: H&M INVITATIONS: MINTED MUSIC: BUNN DJ TRANSPORTATION: CHARLESTON BLACK CAB COMPANY RENTALS: EVENT HAUS LIGHTING/DRAPING: BROAD STREET EVENTS
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