Ryan is the community manager at a local store in Atlanta called Citizen Supply and I’m a photographer. We met at the last place we would have ever expected: his cousin’s wedding, which I was photographing. Long story short, we both felt incredibly drawn to each other and at the end of the night, Ryan asked me to go to breakfast with him the next morning. I said yes to the boy hitting on the photographer. Best. Breakfast. Ever. We soon started dating long distance, from the far coast of North Carolina, Wilmington, all the way to Atlanta, Georgia. While distance brings challenges, I credit it with so much of the beauty of our relationship. The song I walked down the aisle to was a surprise for Ryan. After Ryan first drove to visit me, he wrote me a letter and on the back of the envelope, he wrote for me to listen to “Falling for you” by The 1975 while reading it. It’s been an important song for us ever since, so I had a friend rearrange it slightly to make it even more personal and perfect for our wedding day. Ryan and I both appreciate details, so the small touches meant a lot to us. Our menus included a famous quote we found on our first date, and the meal (breakfast) honoured our first date. We ended the night with my brother setting off fireworks, which is a family tradition. My Monica Gown was the third gown I tried on. I loved how distinctive yet timeless it is. The dress I wore to our reception was made from my Mom’s wedding dress. It felt so special to wear this on my wedding day. I modernised it with the help of my real-life fairy godmother, my aunt Kandy, who made all my crazy ideas come true. She took the dress apart, cut it in half, and remade it, so remember, future brides: if your mom’s dress is dusty and unflattering, don’t let that stop you from working it into your wedding day. As a couple, we value a lot of the same things, and life is more rewarding when you know you’re going after the same thing. We love being together. Even just doing normal everyday things is so much more fun when it’s the both of us.
Photography: India Earl | Bride’s dress: BHLDN Monica gown | Groom’s suit & shoes: ASOS | Flora: Juli Bethea | Bride’s shoes- Bryr Clogs | Gift registry: West Elm, Crate & Barrel, Target | Entertainment: Riley Ormsby | Celebrant: Michael Mattis | Bridesmaids & groomsmen’s attire: Free People, Nordstrom, Urban Outfitters | Rings: Etsy and Cumberland Diamond Exchange | Hair and Makeup- Catherine Garner | Venue: Sweet Meadow Farm at Beech Creek | Bride’s earrings: Half United Earrings | Bride’s bracelets: Miansai | Special song: Clayton Wyatt | Catering: Gabe’s Downton | Invitations and menu design: Miruna Talpas | Styling: The bride | Cake: Kandy Kimbrough
