It wasn’t like any ordinary wedding day. Eric and Natalie spent the morning together in their hotel room with their pups as a little family. Eric finished up some last minute things as Natalie waited to put on her dress. Which was hanging on the wall, just ready to be slipped in to. The details were set out, the plan was in place. Natalie told me that the day felt extraordinary. They’d had their courthouse wedding recently to make it government official, but this, this was what they really wanted. A meaningful day full of intentionality and intimacy. The ceremony performed by the very couple that set them up. On top of a hill that overlooked the Blue Ridge Mountains. Twenty or so of their people looking on as they said their vows. This was the celebration they’d waited for. Natalie was a vision in her dress. All this time that Eric had seen the dress, but he’d never seen it on her. That grin that he only has for her showed up just for a moment when she walked down the aisle on the hill, ready.

Their vows were personal and sweet. With promises to love unconditionally and to be ready for the next adventure. With insistence that this was not the beginning of their story, but simply the next chapter. Natalie wiped back tears as Eric referenced the stretch of time they spent long distance, and assured that marriage meant not having to be a part. The hillside cheered as Eric kissed his new wife and her veil was picked up in the wind. Everyone was smiling ear to ear. It was the best day. They traded the normal hustle and bustle of a wedding day for exchanging hugs and stories with their friends and family. They exchanged the rushing around for a leisurely amount of portrait time, stopping along the Blue Ridge Parkway, driving in the very same vehicle (with camper attached) that would carry them on their honeymoon. The Space Downtown was the perfect spot for their reception. Everyone ate and drank to their hearts content, the celebration lasting long into the night. There was just enough time and space to make everyone in the room feel like one big family, celebrating Eric and Natalie together.

It’s safe to say that we won’t get another day like this any time soon! Natalie’s intentionality in planning a relaxed wedding day paid off big time! We loved our time with these two and are so, so excited for them! Hope you guys are enjoying your next adventure :]