My mom wrote down a quote for me a few years back that meant so much to me and I've kept in my journal since then. The funny thing is that this quote really came to my mind when I met Ben and Madalene and I think REALLY applies to them individually and as a couple. The quote comes from Louisa May Alcott in Little Women:
“…she was one of those happily created beings who please without effort, make friends everywhere, and take life so gracefully and easily that less fortunate souls are tempted to believe that such are born under a lucky star.”
When I listened to the best man and maid of honor toast Ben and Madalene at their wedding reception I teared up hearing what kind of people they are. The kind of people that love people really well, love God even more and have made an incredible impact on the people around them. It was so rich for me- a good reminder about what I want my life to be about. I also love hearing people express gratitude and heartfelt admiration for other people because sometimes I feel like we only say those types of things at funerals and not while people are here with us, i.e. when they need to hear it the most! So people may think that Ben and Madalene were born under a lucky star but I'm pretty sure it's not the lucky star that did it but the product of knowing the love of God and being in love with that God. I am so thankful to have been a part of their day:).
The wedding was at the Foundry Park Inn in Athens- an awesome venue for ceremonies and receptions. We took pictures of Ben and Madalene after the wedding on UGA's North Campus, which is a photographer's dream come true because we had unhurried time to get some sweet shots. One last detail of the day that is worth mentioning is the gift that Ben gave Madalene before the wedding. He made some videos for her and put them on a iPad for her to watch the morning of the wedding day. I got to see one of them- it was Ben telling Madalene how he wanted to honor her all his days. I can't even remember all he said because I was tearing up big time! Ben works for Athens Church and does video work so these clips he made for Madalene were not only meaningful but well done. Guys, if you need an idea of how to make your future wife feel loved you couldn't go wrong doing this!! Clearly this a special couple and I hope the pictures reflect some of that. Thank you guys so much for asking me to be a part of your wedding- I really felt honored to do it.
how fun are these invitations... Ben created them and it had their whole story on there... from their first prom in high school to asking her to marry him!
Here is Madalene watching the videos Ben made for her... I think I started crying, too!
Madalene and her sister both got engaged this past year, so we had to get a picture of the two of them with their rings on...
don't you love this necklace?
My latest wedding day photo project is to find unique tattoos and photograph them. This one was definitely a winner!
this was the first time I saw people taking pictures with their IPad... crazy stuff!!!
my other wedding day photo project is to photograph good hugs, and this wedding had a bunch of really good hugs:)
