Things were slightly different this time around. You see, three and a half years ago, Michael and Nicolette planned their wedding in six days. He was deploying soon and they couldn’t really see the point in spending another minute not being married to each other :] So they found an available officiant and invited their immediate family and one close friend each and they threw a backyard wedding on the anniversary of the day that Nicolette’s parents met. She wore a pink dress and it rained and she was barefoot. It was lovely and joyful and perfect.

This past Saturday was the big celebration they’d always wanted! They finally got to celebrate with ALL of their favorite people, just a few days shy of their daughter’s first birthday. And in way, there was even more to celebrate. Three years married means three more years of loving and knowing each other. Three more years of goodnight kisses and hellos and goodbyes and I love yous. It meant multiple deployments and trainings and at one point it meant more days a part than they’d ever been together. It meant one little girl who’s stolen their whole hearts and taught them how to love even more than they ever thought they could. It meant getting to do the ceremony the way they’d always wanted – focused on Jesus and all the ways He’d been faithful and will continue to be. There were so many nods to their incredible history throughout the day. From the sweet gifts Nicolette gave her parents, to the custom dress their daughter wore that was made from her grandma’s wedding dress! Every detail was a nod to the life they’d built together. It was so, so wonderful to get to see them celebrate their marriage somewhere right in the middle of their beautiful story.

There’s just a slight chance you might recognize these two :] Between their elopement, an anniversary session, and a maternity session, they are definitely blog veterans. Nicolette is so incredibly special to me and getting to capture her family grow and change in the most surprising ways over and over again has been the best.  It was an honor to get to capture their vow renewal and I pretty much cried all day long. From spending time praying before the ceremony to getting to be a part of the intimate moments all day long, this one is always going to be one of my favorites. At one point, I told her husband Michael how thankful I was to be there because Nicolette had changed my life…and he just responded, “Yeah, mine too.” :] Thanks for being a life alterer in the best way possible, Nicolette!

Hope you all love this one! It was such a special day!

Sweet little Elizabeth.

When your momma’s the bride and you get to snuggle her all day long :]

Nicolette gave her mom a gift that was handmade with so much meaning. Not a dry eye!

So beautiful!

Holding her granddaughter who’s wearing a dress made from her own wedding dress :]

Elizabeth and Michael got their own first look :]

Literally could not help myself from being a part of thanking God for Nicolette. I’d be different and my family would be different if it weren’t for her.

Looking at their little girl!

Husband and wife! Again!

Some of their love letters!

I mean we kinda had to start with some family portraits :]

Love!

BFFs.

We had the BEST portrait time! Celebrating Nicolette’s sweet parents by playing their song :]

Couldn’t resist sharing that last one :] Love you friend!