And now for the emotional stuff :] It’s actually quite amazing to look back on all that had to happen for Dylan and Kelsey to work out. She went to work a camp in Xenia, Ohio one summer, the same summer Dylan went to play baseball at the same camp. She worked with his team, and Dylan (almost foolishly :]) boldly pursued starting a relationship right as the summer ended. She was headed back to Virginia, he was headed back to Missouri. The odds were definitely stacked against them. In the midst of a long year of very long distance, Dylan had life changing back surgery, that was going to change so much of the external things that he and Kelsey had in common. They thought they wouldn’t be able to go hiking, work out, or play sports together ever again. But God. In the face of all of that, mere weeks after his surgery, Dylan moved halfway across the country to Radford and Kelsey moved two hours away. They’ve spent the last two years seeing God defy the odds in Dylan’s health and seeing how they could love each other more deeply and selflessly despite distance and obstacle. And now? After three years of dating, they finally get to live in the same town! They finally get to share their lives together! Their wedding meant so much to them because it truly was a beginning in every way.
The ceremony was so sweet and charged with energy for that reason. It all pointed towards Jesus, the one who’d given all for them. They praised and they promised and they got to share their favorite part of their relationship with all of their friends and family. They got to share the gorgeous Virginia mountains with Dylan’s favorite people – who had traveled such a long distance to be there. They walked back down the aisle married and happier than I’ve ever seen them. It surely won’t be their best day, but it will forever be one of their favorites! Their reception had so much joy! It was a “destination” for nearly everyone present, so everyone was marveling at what a gorgeous place they were in. The barn looked beautiful, and it was just so incredible to see their circles of people all under one roof. The day was a long labor of love and it turned out just like they wanted! Like I mentioned in my toast, Dylan and Kelsey are more of who they are supposed to be together, and God had to do SO much to bring both of them to Himself and to each other. As they clung onto each other during their first dance (look up “500 Hundred Miles” by Sleeping at Last if you wanna cry) it was just so sweet to know that in some ways, their adventure was complete and in some ways, it was just beginning.
It was gorgeous and meaningful from start to finish. And I’m so excited to be sharing part two of the day with you all! Hope you enjoy! (In case you’re curious, Ali and Glorianne shot the ceremony and reception beautifully! (and completely independent of me!!) I got to cover the portraits :])
Just the prettiest setting I’ve ever seen for a ceremony!
Had to include! David walking my Gram down the aisle :]
They killed it! We didn’t know if they’d make it down, but they totally stole the show…at least until Kels came down!
YAY!
Getting emotional! (ps: Kelsey walked down the aisle to the same hymn I did – Come Thou Fount!)
I think it all hit her when she got to the end!
I think this was when Jesse (the officiant) mentioned he was scared of Kelsey when he first met her. Everyone got a good laugh! Jesse also married David and I, so having him there was especially sweet.
Jesse said something about the gorgeous setting and Dylan just pointed at Kels :]
Communion as their first act of marriage.
Seriously!
MARRIED!
Wahoo! I love this one!
They walked back down the aisle to Crazy in Love which they thought was hysterical.
First pic on a polaroid! We incorporate an instax into their relationship storyboard down at the reception!
Had to include some family pics! My momma and our stepdad Scott! They looked so proud!
Our gram and my dad!
Love!
And super love!
Dyl’s mom and sister!
He’s got an older sister with a baby just like Kelsey does!
Portrait time!
One of my faves.
Dylan was a little excited haha
Love the one on the bottom left! That’s our stepdad and his dad!!
We worked SO hard on the barn and it turned out GOOD!
Okay I don’t normally include intro photos on the blog, but David had said he was going to throw powder in the air like Lebron…and he totally followed through!
Couldn’t resist!
YES!
Her dance with our dad was so cute. We both picked songs from the Parent Trap soundtrack to dance with him to.
Dyl’s dance with his mom was extra emotional! Not a dry eye! He lives so far from his family now, so it was bittersweet.
Our sweet friend Alex :] Told you it was teary!
Baby Ben! Dylan and Kelsey’s other nephew!
I was STRESSING about the toast, and I had to read off my notes the entire time. But it turned out great :] And I got to share mine and my sister’s story with everyone in the room. Definitely one of my favorite parts!
When I mentioned they were in a no distance relationship now!
That sunset.
Love.
So good!
This is my most vain wedding blog ever! But I loved that I got so many pics with my sister!
Ollie sneaking in on their moment.
The dance party was so good!
Our lifelong friends. The two of us on the left have been friends since we were one. And the two on the right were forced friends since birth :] It was so fun having two sets of sisters who are the same age. (and it still is!)
Haha. Ollie was getting it on the dance floor! He powered through the whole night!
Their exit! Look at my Gram on the left!
Nailed it! I love sparkler exits so I jumped back in to shoot this part!
venue – sierra vista // photographer – kaitlyn phipps photography, alisandra photography, glorianna picini photography // videographer – michael garlich // dress – made with love // florals – perennial uprisings // deejay – jason paljug // invitation suite – seth mcduffie // calligraphy – ash bush // caterer – pumpernickel pickle // day of coordinator – a little party //
