A picture is worth a thousand words . . .

One Photographer. One Snapshot. One Quote.

One-thousand words and emotions.

From Sweet Home Alabama:

Young Melanie: What do you want to be married to me for, anyhow?

Young Jake: So I can kiss you anytime I want.

Photo by Mandy Lynne Photography

I am over the moon excited to share this destination wedding with you from Michelle Turner Photography today! Over. the moon. excited. Not only are we HUGE fans of Michelle’s work, but today’s bride is also the absolute sweetest! It was such a pleasure emailing back and forth with Rachel to find out more about her and Scott’s love and proposal story – both of which are AMAZING by the way! Speaking of…

Note: This post is a little on the long side, but you’ll be daydreaming so soon, you won’t even notice. I promise.

Scott and Rachel met on a Saturday night in October 2007 at a bar in St. Louis. It’s funny, because before that night, Rachel did not believe she could meet anyone worthwhile in a bar. But that night, she met Scott and everything changed.

Two days later, Scott took Rachel on their first real date to a local wine bar. They spent the night sampling great wines and talking about everything you’re not “supposed” to talk about (religion and politics), and closed the place down together. A few days after that, in the parking garage outside of Rachel’s apartment, after a fantastic date over ice cream, Rachel and Scott shared their first kiss. She calls that late night ice cream date the sweet beginnings of their sweet journey. (Awwwww!)

Some of Rachel and Scott’s best memories are from their travels around the world together. One such time when Scott surprised Rachel by obtaining his SCUBA license and whisked her away to the Caribbean on a private sailboat to dive for 10 days. (Uhm… best surprise vacation ever? I think so.) They both swear that adventures like this one helped strengthen their relationship, their communication skills, and the ability to really make the most of every moment they spend together. These skills were especially helpful in keeping their bond strong and moving in the right direction when Scott took a job in Houston, TX, hundreds of miles from where Rachel was interning in St. Louis. Even with the miles separating them, Rachel and Scott never lost sight of their love for each other.

Editor’s Note: Scott’s proposal to Rachel is honestly the best thing I have ever read. It’s hugely detailed and incredibly romantic – he put a TON of thought into this, let me tell you. I’m going to do my absolute best to to give you the shortened version – cramming as many details into it as I possibly can. I’d say bear with me, but you’ll be swooning on the edge of your seat soon enough…

When it came time to pop the question, Scott spent seven solid months shopping for and creating the perfect ring, planning out every single detail of his elaborate proposal plan, booking flights, and waiting. Finally, the weekend of December 18, 2010 arrived. Scott had promised Rachel a “relaxing” weekend of pampering after sitting a seven-hour long exam she’d spent months studying for and stressing over. On the morning of, Scott directed Rachel to the kitchen where a bowl filled with ornaments and a white envelope waited for her on the counter. Upon opening the envelope, she discovered he’d booked her a mani/pedi at the Chase Park Hotel Spa. As she hurried to get out the door, Scott reminded her that the whole day was planned out for her and she had to be back at the house by 11. His secret smile and ability to always surprise her left her wondering the entire morning.

The minute Rachel was out the door, Scott sprang the next steps of his plan into action. He grabbed his already packed suitcase from its hiding place, laid out her own, set aside even more envelopes for Rachel to open, and was out the door to catch his flight to NYC. Before stepping on the plane, he sent a quick text to Rachel instructing her to open envelope number 2 the moment she got home.

Rachel was more than happy to oblige, and had to restrain herself from tearing into the other half-dozen envelopes waiting for her. Inside was a piece of paper with a few lines of love, directions, and a short poem. “Dust off the luggage, out with the trunk; it’s packing time!!! Makeup and junk!” Rachel hurried to follow Scott’s directions and got dressed, packed her suitcase (including just one red shoe, she doesn’t know why), and eating the lunch he’d set aside for her in the fridge. Within thirty minutes she was out the door and on to envelope number 3 and a second poem. “Varoom, varoom off, to lands well known, where silver birds soar, to distances soon shown.”

Are you on the edge of your seat yet?

She made it to the airport in record time, parked the car, and caught a shuttle to the main terminal. When the driver asked for her flight information, she told him she had no idea. When everyone, including the driver, gave her funny looks, she explained the story of what was happening. Every woman on the shuttle swooned. (Wouldn’t you?) It was the most romantic thing they’d ever heard (yep, me too!) and were certain a proposal was in her imminent future. While Rachel secretly hoped this was true, she explained that Scott was well known for his elaborate surprises and didn’t want to get her hopes up. One engaged couple urged her on though as they followed her into the terminal and waited with baited breath for her to open envelope number 4 where she discovered her travel destination. “Shine it off bright, and take a BIG bite. Board your bird for an Apple with lights!”

One very long flight to NYC later with only an iPod playlist filled with music Scott had selected specially for her, and half a dozen women hanging on her every word for company. The second the plane touched down, it was all Rachel could do not to tear into the next envelope. “Confusion exists as a crowded sea of yellow. But away you must go, so “hail” a fellow.” Rachel exchanged phone numbers with the women eager to hear how the story played out, retrieved her suitcase in a hurry, and caught the first cab she could find.

Upon arriving at the hotel Scott had directed her to, Rachel stopped in the middle of the lobby to read the poem in the last and final envelope. “Safe and sound, good times abound. And just your luck, there’s a cute guy around!” And there was Scott, waiting patiently for his love.

But the surprise wasn’t over yet…

Hand-in-hand, they made their way down Fifth Avenue to Rockefeller Center, Scott texting mysteriously on his phone the entire time. And as they stood admiring the tree, Rachel told Scott that this was the most amazing Christmas present she’d ever received. He turned to her and said, “Well, there’s something else…” Words of love were exchanged, but it didn’t hit Rachel what he was leading up to until he dropped to one knee, opened the dark blue ring box containing the ring he’d spent months designing for her, and asked her to be his wife. Of course, she said yes! And the best part was a friend of theirs had caught the entire thing on camera!! Just another piece of Scott’s master proposal plan.

Master indeed. My breath is stolen and my heart is thudding around in my chest. And I’m not even the recipient of said master proposal plan, just a lovestruck onlooker. I told you the proposal story was INCREDIBLE! :) And so was their wedding… Le sigh.

{From the Bride} We wanted our wedding week to be complete with close family and friends. We were elated when 54 loved ones made the trek to Vallarta for our big day! Vallarta is very important to my family, as both my parents and uncles own property there, and we’ve been visiting for years. It was our goal to make our guests feel right at home in Vallarta, complete with influences of our travels and of Mexican culture and celebration!

Scott and I are so glad we decided on Playa Fiesta to host our event! They helped us personalize everything from the blended mango mojitos (our signature drink) to the daily newsletters that Scott designed to be placed in each room nightly, right down to our custom cake topper (a wedding gift from Scott’s brother), and photo booth props (made by a good friend of ours). We wanted our guests to know how much we loved them and how thankful we were that they could be there with us to witness the start of our journey and marriage.

Scott was the most amazing groom! He is so thoughtful and sweet and wanted to be a part of every facet of wedding planning! His creative ideas and continual loving praise helped make our vision a reality, along with the help of our dedicated wedding planners. Guests were greeted at the hotel with smiles, fresh guacamole, and margaritas. Our welcome dinner consisted of the most amazing taco bar ever imagined, Mexican fire dancers, and drummers. The day of the rehearsal, Scott set up a “Mexican Adventure Tour” that took us deep into the jungle for a zip line and a stop at a tequila factory on the way home. After our rehearsal, my uncles hosted a dinner at their condo with gorgeous views of Vallarta! The libations and gourmet food was inspired and created by my Cordon Bleu trained Uncle Len! There was even surprise music by Los Bambinos, a wonderfully talented local group. 

Wedding day was relaxing and wonderful! We tried to take every moment in! The bridesmaids and moms met for pedicures and lunch while our guests relaxed by the pool. One of my favorite moments happened before the wedding. Scott and I hadn’t seen each other since breakfast, and we’d been surrounded by family and friends. I had just taken a shower in our suite and was completely alone for the first time all day. I peered out of our window to see the progress below and saw Scott napping on a couch in the next suite. Without telling anyone, I snuck over to see my soon-to-be husband for a private moment before the wedding!

I really wanted to be able to keep my bouquet so we enlisted the help of Lalo Morales who designed our Mexican corn husk bouquets in his studio that helps to support the indigenous women in the Vallarta area through traditional arts and crafts. They were truly stunning and a total surprise! My mother kept the penny she wore in her shoe when she married my dad 36 years ago, so I would have it for this special day. It was securely taped into my Stuart Waltzman shoes. I even borrowed her beautiful blusher veil from her original cathedral length veil for my hair. My dad and I walked down the aisle to the romantic sounds of the 10 piece mariachi band where he handed me off to Scott before our family and friends at sunset.

It was very important to us that we honored our family and friends during the celebration. We wanted everyone involved in our wedding, so Scott wrote a simple and sweet shell ceremony in which each guest was given a shell and asked to fill it with kind thoughts, blessings, or wishes and cast it back into the ocean. It was beautiful.

Post ceremony, guests were ushered to cocktail hour with our signature blended mango mojitos while we whisked off to take pictures. The reception dinner was wonderful and the speeches were funny and heartfelt. We were so happy to be surrounded by so many loving people. 

The maracas with tags that read “Shake at the kiss!” as well as glow sticks were a huge hit on the dance floor and in the photo booth! Since it can get breezy by the ocean at night, my mom and dad collected beautiful shawls from their travels in Central America to place at each ladies’ seat at the reception. Instead of a garter and bouquet toss, Scott and I decided to recognize the couples in our lives with an anniversary dance. We gave bouquets to both sets of grandparents who have been married for 59 and 61 years!! Then, Scott and the guys enjoyed local Mexican cigars on the lawn to the sounds of crashing waves on the shore, while family and friends who weren’t able to attend enjoyed the reception via a live stream that Scott set up as a surprise! We ended the night with fireworks and the party continued until nearly everyone found themselves in the pool! It was truly a night to remember.

Oh my gosh. Neither will I. And I wasn’t even there!! The description of each well-thought out and heartfelt detail literally had me jumping out of my seat in joy! What an incredibly, magical day! I don’t even know where to begin on what I loved most! The robust orange color complemented by that pretty blue, the signature mango mojitos, the Shell ceremony, the live stream of the reception back home, the ending in the pool… Everything about this wedding… I’ll seriously remember forever. And Michelle did such a wonderful job capturing every last bit.

{From the Bride} The day after the wedding, our amazing photographer, ventured out through Vallarta with us! Not only is she über talented, she’s so easy to work with! After traipsing through the Romantic Zone of Vallarta and to the beach, she agreed to take some of the most amazing water pictures in the pools at my parents condo in Conchas Chinas. The time we spent with Michelle was relaxing and allowed me to kiss my new husband hundreds of times before parting ways back to Missouri and Texas. It was a special day we will never forget!

OK, I think every newly married man and wife should do this! It’s über romantic and just so, so sweet! Note to self: You will do a shell ceremony and day after photo shoot when you get married! Oh, and have a destination wedding weekend… and have signature mango mojitos… and… Can you tell how in love I am with this wedding?! Because I totally am! :)

Thank you, Rachel, from the bottom of my heart for sharing all the details of yours and Scott’s love story, proposal, and wedding day with all of us today! You truly took me (and I am sure everyone else too) on a journey worthy of many, many dreams! Congratulations to both you and Scott on tying the knot! We wish you so much love, laughter, and heartfelt surprises in the many years to come! And a super special thank you to the amazingly talented Michelle of Michelle Turner Photography for sending us this wondrous wedding day!!

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Photography: Michelle Turner Photography – Ceremony and Reception Venue: Playa Fiesta Beach Club

Coordinator: Lindsay Burgess – Officiant: Tamra Bradley – Flowers: Lalo Morales

Wedding Dress: Allure – Bride’s Shoes: Stuart Weitzman – Bridesmaids Dresses: Maggy London

Veil and Jewelry: Vintage from bride’s mother – Rings: Michael Genovese Jewelers

Groom’s Attire: Brooks Brothers – Groomsmen’s Attire: Van Heusen

Photo Booth Props: Kelly Phillips (close friend) – Maracas Tags: Susanschrock

Holders for place cards: Gallery360 – Cake Topper: Trevor Huston (groom’s brother)

Embroidered ribbon with “Rachel and Scott” for cake and place settings: Candi Bonn -

Maracas and Fish Scale Hair Rosettes: local vendors in Puerto Vallarta

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Le sigh. Perfect way to complete our Launch of Love!

Happy Friday!

xoxo

It was a dark and stormy night… I digress, I’ve always wanted to start a piece off that way. And although today’s love story does in fact start off that way, Cassie and Marc’s love is anything but dark and stormy. In fact, it’s positively dreamy and so very special. It is for this reason that I have decided to let Cassie tell their story in her own words. I feared the details of their love, brought to life in the details of their wedding day – photographed by the beautiful and brilliant Amanda Klein of Hearts & Horseshoes Photography – would lose some of their sparkle if I rewrote them. So, without further ado, I’ll let Cassie take it from here.

{From the Bride} Our “happily ever after” all started on a rainy night in early November. It is all thanks to two very dear friends, Brad and Liesel Miller. Brad and Marc met in the firefighter academy while Liesel and I met through college friends. They just knew that we would hit it off and so arranged a BBQ for us to meet at. Brad showed Marc pictures of me deep sea fishing with my brother and hunting with my dad – including photographs of my first buck! All Liesel had to tell me to convince me to go was that he was a firefighter and that he loved children and I was in! 

I was already at Brad and Liesel’s house when Marc walked in and we were introduced. Right there in the Miller’s kitchen, over the kitchen island, we shook hands. In that moment, we looked at each other and knew there was something different about the other person. Everyone in the room could tell that this was the start of SOMETHING very special.

Later that night, Marc used Brad and Liesel’s adorable little girl, Hannah, to let me know that “Unkie Marc wants to see you.” (Quite possibly the cutest thing ever.) I couldn’t tell cute little Hannah no, so out we went, hand in hand, to where the boys were. The rest of the night was spent together in front of a bonfire, in the sprinkling rain. (Sounds positively romantic, doesn’t it?)

Our first official date was the very next night. Marc drove an hour and a half just to take me to dinner. When he dropped me off that night – it was the sweetest thing – he reached up with both hands and pulled me in for our first kiss. (If you look at the wedding photos, you’ll see he did the EXACT same thing at the altar for our first kiss as husband and wife.) (I don’t think it gets much sweeter than that. Do you?) In the week following our first date, Marc made the hour and a half drive two more times. And each date we had, it became more and more clear that we were in deep! Our whirlwind romance had begun and we were on a fast track to bliss! (Le sigh.) We both fell head over heels in love, and well, the rest is history!

One of my favorite things happened early on in our relationship when Marc drove up one night to take me to dinner and a movie. I was all dressed and ready to go when he knocked on the door, but the second I had it open I could tell something was wrong. Marc seemed really nervous. When I asked what was wrong, he just said “We’re not going to the movies, we’re going for a drive instead.” I said ok and asked where we were going. He wouldn’t tell me, but about 10 minutes into the drive he spilled that he had left the house in a rush to not be late and had left his wallet back at his place… an hour and a half away. I just laughed and told him not to worry. When we finally got to his house, I wanted to come up with him to see it. He rushed me through the house super quick and when I asked him why – it was so cute – he blurted out, “I didn’t want you to think me forgetting my wallet was some ploy to get you back to my place. I’m not that kind of guy.” (Haha! Aww! Yes, I did actually have both of those reactions upon reading this.) It was cemented in my mind at that very moment what a gentleman he was.

About a month after we started dating, Marc was sent out to a wildfire in Southern California. I knew his job and the possibilities of leaving at a moment’s notice, but when he called me late one Friday night to tell me they were leaving the station, there was an instant lump in my throat. He did such a great job of texting and calling me to check in because even though I never said it, he knew I was worried. The next day I went to a Fresno State football game (which is one of my FAVORITE things to do)! It was then that I knew that this boy and what he was doing  was a big deal to me because I can hardly remember the game. I don’t remember who they played, the score, or even if they won. All I could think about was Marc.

He ended up being on that fire for over a week. It was the longest stretch of time we had gone without seeing each other since we’d met! That week made me realize just how incredibly much I cared for him and how lost I was without him in my daily life. When he got back to the station (after 8 LONG days), I visited him. I RAN across the engine bay and JUMPED into his arms the moment I saw him.

I stayed for dinner with the crew that night to hear all about their eventful week in the fire. When Marc walked me out to my car later that evening and gave me a big hug, squeezing me tight, I blurted out “I love you.” I immediately threw my hand over my mouth, not believing what had just spewed out of my mouth. Marc grabbed my shoulders and pushed me back far enough to see my face and asked “What did you just say?” I was so embarrassed – that is until he kissed me and said “I love you too… but didn’t want to freak you out!” We hugged and laughed so hard. It was the most amazing feeling ever! I drove home in complete and utter bliss… all the while in complete shock that my little mouth had uttered such big words… :) (I was wrong before… because it just got sweeter.)

Marc had big plans for our engagement, but they got a little screwed up by the sales girl from the jewelry store he bought my ring at. I came home from school one Tuesday evening, and like normal, checked the mail. In that mail, I found a card addressed to Marc from the jewelry store. As soon as I pulled it out of the mail box, I knew exactly what it meant!

I tried to just hand it to him and play it down, but he knew instantly that I knew. Marc was a little mad (at the sales lady) to say the least. From then on, I was sure that he would wait a while before giving it to me since I now knew about it and would be expecting it. Marc knows me so well because he knew that’s what I would be thinking. Not too long later though, on an unexpected trip to a pumpkin patch, Marc completely surprised me! He had already talked to my Dad and when he hit one knee, all I could do was scream and wrap myself around him! All the people standing around looked on and eventually laughed with us in our bliss. I came home from that trip with a bit more than a few pumpkins! (I’ll say!)

{Wedding Day Details} Our wedding was amazing… and SO us! One of the biggest things that I think surprised people was that Marc and his groomsman wore jeans! When we were first planning our wedding, Marc said that he wanted to be comfortable and feel like himself. Being the complete country boy that he is, a suit or tux just didn’t fit his fancy. So, we compromised. I said as long as they were brand new, dark denim (with a good wash of course), and they were starched, then I didn’t care. After all, it was HIS wedding too. :)

Marc says his favorite moment was when he first saw me walking down the aisle. I walked with my little brother and my Dad – and in that moment, Marc said all felt right and that he felt truly blessed. For me, it’s just ridiculous  to try and pick ONE moment… I mean, come on… He reenacted our first kiss at the altar… He twirled me at the end of the aisle… He called me Mrs. Bontrager almost immediately… mush… mush… mush… It was all simply amazing!

But for me, it really was our first dance. Originally our first dance was going to be to Kenny Chesney’s “You Had Me From Hello,” until Marc came home one night and very boldly informed me that he had changed the song for our first dance! He then proceeded to play the song (that he had already downloaded to his iPhone). It was Chris LeDoux’s “Two in a Million,” and it was the sweetest thing I had ever heard. It meant even more because HE found it and decided that it would be our first dance. It’s the most beautiful song. And as we danced out first dance that day, Marc whispered the words in my ear. In that moment, there was nothing else in the world that mattered more than us!

Doesn’t that just fill your heart right up to bursting? I honestly can’t do anything but smile each and every time I read their story. And I’ve read it many a time. It’s quite possibly the sweetest thing I think I have ever read. Not only is their story something dreams are made of, but a love like theirs is something to be inspired by. It’s a beautiful, wonderful, magical thing.

{From the Couple} We really hold strong to the few core values that we feel you should use in all aspects of your life. Being honest and trusting each other is huge, and with that, being transparent and being yourself. If it’s meant to be, each of you being yourself is what you’ll fall in love with. It’s SO important to do whatever YOU feel is right and not let anybody else try and tell you how you should act or feel. Follow your heart… it’s the most pure and honest feelings you feel… don’t let your head mess with it. :) And most importantly, NEVER take anything for granted. Realize that the love you share is such a blessing and in any moment things can change. Take advantage of every opportunity to say I love you and every moment you spend together. And finally, it’s the golden rule and one that is key to a marriage and relationship… treat your partner how you would like to be treated! Love them and care for them the way you would like to be loved and cared for. If nothing else, do this.

Some of the best advice I think I have ever read! Thank you so much Cassie for sharing yours and Marc’s love story and advice with us all today! We wish you so much love, laughter and sweetness in the years to come! And a special thank you to the incredible Amanda Klein of Hearts & Horseshoes Photography for sending their very special day our way!

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Photography: Hearts & Horseshoes Photography – Reception Venue: Nuckols Ranch

Dress Store: Brides and Maidens – Dress Designer: Exclusive Bridal by A.C.E. by Allure

Cake Designer: Bothof’s Bakery – DJ: Mike O’Neil’s Dance Machine

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I’m also guest posting over on the fabulous Henry + Masci Photography blog today! I’m talking shoes… lots and lots of pretty ones! ;)

Happy Tuesday!

xoxo

We are continuing our Launch of Love (that’s what we’re calling it now) this week with more love stories and a few other fun posts along the way. So, let’s jump right on in! Today’s engagement shoot from Jessica Morrisy Photography reminds us all that true love can go the distance. And Robyn and Ernie have definitely gone the distance.

Ernie, who is originally from Pennsylvania, was living in Arizona when he met Robyn. Ernie worked with Robyn’s brother, who later introduced them. They started dating and soon thereafter realized they were falling in love.

As time progressed, and getting married seemed the next logical step, Ernie made big plans for his intended proposal. He chartered a boat in the San Diego harbor(!!!) and surprised Robyn not only with a diamond engagement ring and proposal of marriage, but an entire weekend of sailing to celebrate. (Talk about your dream proposals, eh?)

{Behind the Lens with Jessica Morrisy Photography} I met with Ernie and Robyn just one month before their wedding in January to shoot their engagement shoot. It amazed me that not long before that Robyn moved from sunny and hot Arizona to snowy, cold Pennsylvania. 

“True love knows not distance; it hath no continent; its eyes are for the stars.” – Gilbert Parker (Fits them to a T I think.)

They chose Washington’s Crossing as the background for the shoot because Robyn was planning a vintage themed barn wedding on property owned by Ernie’s family. We all felt that the buildings and history of the area provided a nice compliment to their upcoming colonial-vintage wedding theme.

When I shoot, I really try to have my couple seem as comfortable as possible, so that their love and realness comes through in the images. Often times, I put the couples into poses and just when they think I’ve gotten the shot, they relax and magic happens. That is the point where I really start shooting. I like to have a mix of tender moments and somewhere traditional portraits. For this particular shoot, I wanted to capture the rustic, rich colors, the beautiful, cool January light, the arbor of wintery trees, and just freeze this beautiful time for Robyn and Ernie to remember forever.

I’d have to say mission accomplished. What Jessica captured is pure beauty. Ernie and Robyn’s love for each other is so, so warm in that stunning, wintery light. It sets my heart ablaze. Such a beautiful thing. Much like the quote from Gilbert Parker above. I don’t think a more perfect quote exists that could accurately describe this couple. Because it’s true, love can go the distance.

Congratulations Ernie and Robyn, now husband and wife! I have no doubt your wedding was as beautiful and heart-warming as the both of you! Best wishes and lots of love in the years ahead! And thank you Jessica of Jessica Morrisy Photography for sharing a piece of their story and her incredible handiwork with all of us today!

Happy Monday!

xoxo

A picture is worth a thousand words . . .

One Photographer. One Snapshot. One Quote.

One-thousand words and emotions.

“I’m a fool for love… And I just can’t get enough.”

Lyrics: Fool for Love by Stefy

Photo Credit to Elizabeth Messina