Beth and Nathan had a beautiful wedding at the Holly Tree Country Club in Simpsonville, SC on Saturday.  They didn’t let the rain outside take away from any of their excitement or joy!

One thing I love to do is get to know my wedding couples.  At the beginning of the process of booking with Lainey Bug Photography, I ask brides to go and fill out my Getting to Know You form I send them, and Beth was gracious enough to do that.  Through her sharing, I found out that Beth and Nathan had actually attended grade school together from 4K all the way to graduation.  They had hardly spoken to each other during that whole time, but Beth said she always thought Nathan was cute.  They ended up attending the same University at North Greenville University, and Nathan even ended up being Beth’s cousin’s roommate there!  Beth and her cousin and Nathan would eat together in the cafeteria.  But there was one day that Beth’s cousin wasn’t on campus and as Beth and Nathan were walking into the cafeteria, Beth suggested they take a trip to Waffle House because she wasn’t excited about eating the cafeteria food.  So they went!  And the rest is as they say . . . history!!!

They both still consider their first date to be that trip to the Waffle House.  Beth said, “We fell in love almost immediately.  It was like as long as he was around, I didn’t have anything to worry about . . . ”  And it sounds like that feeling of being there for each other just continued on throughout their 5 1/2 years of dating.

Nathan surprised Beth with a sweet breakfast picnic last July, where he had given her a completed scrapbook.  This was a scrapbook Beth had given Nathan on their 2nd Valentine’s Day together, and she had left the last few pages blank with a note that said the pages were reserved because the best was yet to come.  Three years later on that July morning, Nathan filled in those pages with memories they had shared.  There was a heartfelt letter Nathan had written to Beth, and at the end of the letter it said, “WILL YOU MARRY ME?”  Beth was in shock and so happy, she said “YES!”  Every detail had been thought out by Nathan, he even had a secret photographer who had captured the moment so they could put that picture at the end of the scrapbook.

I know they will have many more pictures and memories to add to that scrapbook and more as they start their lives together, beginning with memories of their beautiful wedding day!  Beth and Nathan chose to first see each other when Beth walked down the aisle.  But Beth and her Dad did share a special first look before we started family pictures.  What a sweet moment for this Dad and Daughter!

Their families and friends came together to celebrate with them in a beautiful ceremony inside the Holly Tree Country Club’s upper room.  The room was decorated beautifully to match the bridesmaids dresses of blush pink and the groomsmen’s tan suits.  I loved their color combinations!  It was a God honoring, special ceremony that included the braiding of the 3 strands to represent God, Husband, and Wife . . . “A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”  (Ecclesiastes 4:12)  Their ceremony also had a special time of prayer with both of their parents.

After they said, “I Do,” then the ceremony room was transformed into the reception room complete with a dance floor and banquet tables to enjoy their delicious meal.  While it was being transformed, we took the rest of the family photos and bridal party photos outside under the front drive that had a covering at the Holly Tree Country Club.

Then we had time for Beth and Nathan’s bride and groom portraits before heading up to the reception to be introduced.  For couples who choose not to do a first look, like Beth and Nathan, I usually explain that the bride and groom portraits are very important, as they are the ones that they will want to have printed and hanging on their walls for years to come.  I try to go through the portraits as quickly and efficiently as I can, because I know their guests were waiting for them.  However, this time for just the two of them is so important and special also to remember and cherish.  I told them just to enjoy these moments with just the two of them and being husband and wife now!  You can tell they savored those moments together before heading up to the party!  Aren’t they just a stunning couple together?!  I loved seeing the care and love between them during this time.

After the bride and groom portraits it was time for the reception to begin!!!

Even though it had rained for all of our family photos and bridal party photos, during the reception the rain cleared for a moment right before the sun was going down.  I stole Beth and Nathan away for some more bride and groom portraits out on the golf course.  I am so thankful we were able to get some of these outside wedding portraits for them!  Aren’t they just so sweet together?  You can tell how happy they are!

Then it was back into the reception for dancing and fun the rest of the night!

Congrats to the new Mr. and Mrs. Nathan Cole!  It was such a privilege to serve you and your families on this special day.  Thank you for giving me the opportunity to do so!