“I hope you are always in trouble and addicted to each other. I hope you are always in trouble because you can’t focus when you are not together, because you are constantly distracted thinking about each other, because you are rushing around to get back to each other when you are apart. I hope you are always addicted to each other, even to the frustrating cliche extent that makes me roll my eyes, where you can never get enough of each other and miss each other 5 seconds after you have left for work, where you gush about how blissfully happy you are and how amazing your spouse is to anyone and everyone who will listen. Like Halie did to me at Christmas, when she said something to the extent of, “I’m happy, really happy, the mushy kind of happy that sounds cliche, but he really does make me that happy.”
I hope your heart is always tied in knots and that your stomach is always in a whirl. I hope you feel like that when you wake up next to each other every morning, when you think about each other randomly and subconsciously during the day, when you listen to the other one tell you about their day, and when you plan your next steps together. I hope you always have butterflies. I hope your knees are always weak. I hope you are always tongue tied.”
I’ve shot a lot of weddings and I can pull so many memories from each of them, but when Maid of Honor & big sister Erin gave her speech I was utterly speechless. I wanted to share with y’all a small portion of what was a truly incredible day.
When I met Halie, it was at her mom’s wedding at Still Hope Retirement Community back in 2013. Yes, you read correctly – a retirement community. When I first met with Janice and Danny I was a little confused as to why they would be marrying at Still Hopes. Even when I learned of Danny is their CEO & it made complete sense, I was still nervous. I mean, how many photographers have shot at a retirement community? Well, I am proud to say I have, not once, but now TWICE!
I’ve known Halie & her family for a few years and saying I adore them is a vast understatement because adore doesn’t even begin to describe how much I love these clients.
Like me, Halie is the younger sister who is head strong. She knows what she wants and how she wants it. She is bold and beautiful. Patrick reminds me a lot of my husband – the quiet, strong type with a silly side only select people get to see. It’s easy to see why these two work so well together and how God perfectly planned for them to meet up in Charleston.
Y’all. Hold your breath because this wedding will steal it. First, you’d never guess we were at a retirement community because I personally want to move in to this gorgeous place. Second, you will DIE when you see how stunning Halie and Patrick looked on their big day. Her Melissa Sweet gown and his Navy whites were perfection.
Halie and Patrick, with the help of some pretty awesome Mamas, planned the wedding in 2 months & every detail was thought out. Like many military weddings, there often isn’t much time to plan because when Uncle Sam says jump, you don’t ask how high. You don’t pass GO. You don’t pause to compose yourself. You jump. It’s a fast paced life with lots of uncertainty so things happen fast – I would know, I planned my wedding in 2 months as well – although mine was not quite as stunning as the Driscolls.
OK! I’m done. Get ready for some amazing photos! A teal haired bride, lots of happy tears, a Smash Mouth “All Star” serenade, a yellow truck, and MEN IN UNIFORM! Whoop whoop!
(Halie & Patrick – I adore you both so much. Y’all remind me of Vincent and me when we got married almost 9 years ago. A new, exciting adventure is starting for y’all, albeit one controlled by the Navy 😉 The military will test you in ways you can’t imagine but it will also make you stronger than most couples. Don’t let anyone look down or talk down to you because of your age, because what they don’t know is how amazing your love is and will be. ACK! Now I’m going to go cry. I love y’all!)
Annnnnd a shameless plug – Robin and I do destination weddings, so let us know if you want us to come shoot your wedding 😉 Especially anyone from this wedding because it was a blast. **wink wink you know who you are**
Vendors:
Wedding Dress: Melissa Sweet
Bridesmaid’s Dresses – Lulus
Food: in house
Decorations: Bride, Bride’s mom & aunt
Cake & DJ: Family friend
Hair: Sam at Famous Hair in Lexington
Cake Topper: Top That Cake Off
Mermaid Shirts: Happilyeverafter.com
Rings: Oscar Game Jewelry
Shoes: Rowan
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