It’s my favorite, favorite post to put together: best of weddings, 2016 edition. Yes, it’s February and a little late to be doing a year end wrap up post…but I can make the rules on my own blog, right? :] Really, I was just waiting to share until the new website went live, but even though we’re days away, I just couldn’t wait any longer to hit publish!

This year, I thought I’d change it up a little bit and start with my absolute favorite “moment” from each wedding. I’m an emotional girl and my favorite part of being a part of wedding days is getting welcomed into the story. We get to be family for the day; we get a front row seat and it is a privilege that is not lost on us. I hope we’ll never stop being grateful for being invited in. We get to see the moments that make you want to jump for joy and cheer and the moments that have you shedding subtle tears (or in my case, not so subtle).

At this point, David and I have done close to 40 weddings as a team, which means we’ve worked with just as many sets of brides and grooms. And that’s the real privilege. We get to be in their lives for a short and sweet season! To all of our 2016 couples, you are our favorites and we love you so!

Here’s my favorite moments from each wedding this past year! (really, really, I painstakingly narrowed it down to one moment per wedding) ((basically all the moments that made me actually cry into my mkiii))

John & LeeAnn – watching them walk down the aisle absolutely beaming makes me so happy. LeeAnn is a dear friend and seeing her smile that wide on her wedding day was the best thing.

Jason & Hayley – Oh friends. This first look was so emotional. Jason and Hayley were so wrapped up in each other and just in awe of what was to come that day. And it didn’t hurt that as we left Jason said, “I am SO glad we did a first look!”

Oliver & Kelly – Their gift exchange was so precious. Both Kelly and Oliver separately dissolved into tears as they read sweet notes from each other.

Alex & Nicki – Their gift exchange was another favorite. Nicki had put together an entire book of memories and words for her groom and he’d gifted her a single glass slipper. Because she is his princess!

Ryan & Emma – Listening to Emma walk through the forest, arm and arm with her dad, her gown sweeping the forest floor is not a sound I’ll soon forget. All was still and quiet as Emma walked towards a completely smitten Ryan.

Matt & Alley – These two got married on Alley’s family property under the very tree that she grew up climbing! The moment where they looked out over the guests at their ceremony and saw all of the faces who’d traveled to be with them was so beautiful.

Eek, bonus: The first time Alley saw herself as a bride was in a mirror that was gifted to her by her future husband. A family heirloom.

Jonathan & Kerry – There was so much joy in this day! I remember feeling so elated for these two as their guests watched them sway beneath the bistro lights in the evening light. Kerry’s smile was radiant and her laughter was abundant :]

Jonathan & Jaelyn – My favorite moment was a combination of these two images. Jonathan hugged his family tight and then wiped a tear from his eye as his beautiful bride headed down the aisle. Jonathan and Jaelyn are good friends so basically the whole day was a contest of how long you could hold back your tears!

Bob & Megan – This first look. Oh goodness gracious. It was hurricaning/pouring rain during all of Bob and Megan’s wedding, so we met under an overhang for their first look. Bob could not stop gushing and his exact first words were, ” You’re my little princess!”

Also the challenge of the rain made for some of my favorite portraits ever!

Matt & Ashley – The Doots’ ceremony was so beautiful and had so many nods to family and legacy! It was a breathtaking sight to behold! My family moment was the “ring warming” ceremony where they passed around the wedding bands on a pillow made from lace from their mothers’ gowns, asking each guest to warm the rings with their touch.

David will tell you that HIS favorite wedding moment of the year was Ashley and Matt’s band, the Mashup! What a fun party!

Seth & Tabitha – Okay, there’s really no coming back from a first look like the one below. Seth was absolutely speechless when he saw Tabitha for the first time as a bride. He could not contain himself and it was so hard to keep shooting through all the tears!

Brian & Casey – I so, so loved seeing their wedding day come together. This blissful moment below was shortly after their first dance, shortly after they saw their vision for their day come together at the reception. Casey planned for months and months and I loved seeing how happy it made her to see her friends and family celebrating in this beautiful atmosphere.

Max & Catherine – These two are simply meant to be. Catherine opened a letter from Max shortly before the ceremony and read through slowly, overcome with emotion. Afterwards she explained that they hadn’t written their own vows, but that letter contained everything she’d ever needed as a promise.

Vincent & Sarah – These two stuck through some intense wind and cold to get some seriously gorgeous portrait time, but seeing their toasts was my favorite part of the evening. Their grandparents and parents toasted them and Vincent and Sarah each toasted their parents. They thanked them for their faithfulness and the way that they came to know Jesus because of their parents love for them. I was a big sobbing mess behind my camera.

Also, shoutout to the most beautiful golden light I think I’ve ever experienced!

Okay, 2017. We’re ready!!