Happy Anniversary to one of my favorite past couples and great friends, Kristin and Mike! I’ve been photographing these 2 since their perfect engagement session, to their daughter’s 2nd birthday just last month! Kristin and I used to joke about how “neurotic” she was as a bride-to-be, but we came to a mutual understanding of crazy, and I couldn’t imagine my life without her in it! She’s the first person to lift me up with a funny text (“You is kind….. you is special…..”) and so I’m thrilled to share their story about marriage 3 years later!
On 11.11, Kristin and Mike are celebrating their third year anniversary and have a beautiful two year old girl to prove how perfect they are for each other. Throughout the years, Kristin found out that Mike could devour a whole plate of yummy brownies between 2am and 4am. But on the more serious note, Kristin discovered how her love for him grew much deeper after watching him be a compassionate father and everything he does for their family. How sweet is that?
Some people spend their years in college wondering when they will meet their soul mates. These two managed to succeed. Kristin said, “adding a baby to the mix has certainly made it interesting and taught us to juggle our relationship as parents and our relationship as partners. We’ve learned that having an open line of communication is key and going to bed angry gets you nowhere; It’s a lot of hard work, a fair amount of compromise, and grounded in trust.”
So turning up the radio when their first dance song, ‘Free’ by Zac Brown Band comes on brings back memories for them to share together. Kristin said she is a sappy romantic, so she at least tries to hold his hand.
So to all the future brides out there, remember that life after your special day is precious and some hardships will come along the way. But first, don’t worry about the small issues that may come across you. This is why having a planner for you day is important because they take care of all the small details so you can enjoy your wedding.
Here is one small issue that Kristin’s planner solved: “My husband’s grandparents were accidentally left off of the seating chart. I overheard my planner telling my husband and immediately started tearing up. I felt so awful. But my planner just took me aside, told me it was ok. Sure enough, she fixed everything, like it never even happened. I don’t even think anyone knew–well, until now.”
But if somethings just do not go as planned, think about enjoying your delicious wedding cake. Cake makes everything better!
Kristin and Mike had cupcakes instead of a regular wedding cake. The cupcakes were all different flavors and there was no wasted cake in sight. Both flavors of cupcakes were vanilla based with buttercream frosting. One had a cream/pudding filling with fresh fruit and the other was filled with chocolate and caramelized bananas. The top of the cupcake cake was the actual cake they cut. That was a traditional red velvet flavor with cream cheese frosting.
Don’t splurge on unnecessary items for your wedding if you don’t need them is one of the best pieces of advice from our previous bride.
Kristin’s tip for budget: “Set one. Try to follow it. I couldn’t adhere to it that well, but I’ve never been good at that. Splurge on things that matter–LIKE A GOOD PHOTOGRAPHER. Save on things that don’t–like monogrammed napkins or customized toasting flutes (unless you love champagne and will use them all the time, then by all means, go for it). My one regret in trying to save money was deciding I didn’t need a videographer. BIG MISTAKE. HUGE. Although, I love love loveee Kristen for my photos, I don’t remember much in the moment. I look back on them now, and I’m like ‘why am I laughing during this part of the ceremony?, Whats going on here?’ Because when your adrenaline kicks in and you walk down the aisle, it becomes a blur. I don’t remember saying my vows (in every detail), and even the whole night was over in a blink of an eye. I truly wish I had spent the extra money for a videographer just so I can look back on it now with my clarity. Because at the end of the day, you are already spending so much money, you want to be able to remember it.
Just try to focus on the moments that matter. Kristin had several most favorable moments of her day:
- The moment I walked out and saw him standing there at the end of the aisle (probably about to pass out), and seeing all of our friends and family there, supporting us, in this next chapter in our lives
- When my dad surprised everyone and ripped off his suit jacket, revealing his fake sleeves–a nod to my husband’s tattoos which were a very controversial topic with my father when we first started dating. Hey, if you can’t beat ’em, join ’em, right?
- At the very end of the wedding when everyone cleared out of the room and we danced to one last song, by ourselves, just taking it all in–we were finally married!
Sometimes things fall behind and get rushed after the ceremony. Kristin said her wedding prep fell way behind schedule and ceremony ended up being close to an hour late. Thus, having to cram all the formal portraits, family portraits, bride & groom pictures, everything into cocktail hour. A first look may allow you to relax, have a quiet moment together, and get some of the shots of just you two before the ‘after ceremony chaos’ begins where your planner and photographer are trying to wrangle in bridesmaids, groomsmen, grandparents, etc. for photos.
Thank you so much to Kristin for sharing these special moments with us!
