Since moving from Atlanta to Athens I have learned a lot about life outside of suburbia. My brother visits Athens and thinks it's rural, but to many around here Athens is the city. Rebecca contacted me and we got together at my favorite place (Ike and Jane's bakery) to talk about her wedding, and she told me all about growing up in Madison county (only a few miles outside of Athens). Rebecca and Ben both grew in Madison county and went to high school together (although they didn't start dating until later). She told me how they were getting married at the church she had been going to since she was little, only minutes from her house, and how "country" their lives are. I took Rebecca and Ben's engagement pictures on Ben's family property and on the drive up there I felt like I was on a retreat in the mountains. It was beautiful. I decided if that was country then I want to move there (minus not having a Target close by)!! I love hearing people's stories, finding out where they are from and seeing how their wedding is a reflection of the two as a couple. The wedding was in Hull, GA and was simply beautiful. The church is historic with such picturesque features, and the window lighting perfectly showed Rebecca's beauty. Ben and his groomsmen (many of which were fellow firefighters with him) were gentleman and up for doing whatever Rebecca wanted for pictures. One of my favorite parts of the whole day was seeing Rebecca's father at the reception. He had heard a song about a father's love for his children and decided to play it for his daughters on his guitar while another friend sang the words. He talked about how he would love to be able to sing it but could hardly listen to it without crying, let alone sing it. So he played on his guitar while Rebecca and Sara listened and teared up. It was ironic because before the wedding, Rebecca had given her dad a gift: a metal guitar pick with the words "my daddy, my hero" etched into it. It was beautiful to see their relationship and gave me a picture of what God's love is like for his children, that is, incredibly tender, heartfelt and devoted among many other things. Rebecca had told me when we initially met their wedding would be simple. What's funny about that word is that we often think of it in negative terms, but the word itself just means uncomplicated, not elaborate and unassuming. And this wedding day was beautiful in its simplicity because it drew attention to the love between Ben and Rebecca, the strong family relationships and friendships that were there, and the gift that marriage is between two people. I'm so thankful to have been a part of it and glad that Rebecca and Ben (who I think are in New Orleans right now!) asked me to document it. And thanks to my good friend Christina Schuman for shooting this wedding with me and getting some awesome shots (you are SO talented my friend!). More pictures to post on Facebook but here's a sneak peek of the day...
