Liz & DJ have the most incredible chemistry. There's overwhelming joy and freedom in every moment spent with the two of them. Their story began when Liz, leading a FOCUS mission trip, showed up at DJ's Family Missions Company home mission in Peru. Yup, Peru in South America. DJ was smitten immediately (but kind of on a dating fast) and Liz was kind of interested too. It wasn't until the week ended that they realized this wasn't an opportunity to pass up!! Gotta love when the Lord takes you halfway round the world to meet your spouse on a remote Peruvian mountain.
DJ and Liz got married in November at Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Cumming, GA, the bride's home parish. This church is unique - it has a wall of windows behind the altar, which makes for some interesting lighting conditions! Liz got ready at their reception venue, Reid Barn. It was a sweet morning spent with her bridesmaids and her mom, with a super fun giggly first look with the bridesmaids and perfect weather. Liz's ring looked gorgeous in the handmade wooden box gifted by one of the couple's friends. DJ got ready at the church with his family, an intimate moment that carried a lot of emotion. This sweet couple spent a few moments in prayer together before they got married, sight unseen. This is always one of my favorite parts of a Catholic wedding day, and I love when couples make space for it on their timeline! One of my favorite moments was after they took flowers to the Marian grotto. Each of them took a rose from the bouquet and handed it to each other's mother, saying a few words of gratitude for her role in raising their spouse. You bet the tears were flowing!! DJ is a Knight of Columbus, and was honored by the other Knights with a sword arch for the recessional.
Their reception at Reid Barn was so dang fun!! And their couple's portraits were freedom and laughter personified. Liz told me she just wanted romantic and fun photos, and that was so easy to capture with how relaxed they were with me. After a sweet speech by Liz's mom and dad, Liz and DJ participated in a family tradition known as the unity cross, which Liz's grandfather made by hand. These two danced nearly all night, and we ended the night with a private last dance and a bubble exit.
Vendors:
HMUA: Amanda Morais Makeup || Bride's dress: Handmade by the bride! || Reception venue: Reid Barn || Flowers: Funky Mountain Florals || DJ: Rich with Black Tie Events || Photographer: Nicole Sandercock Photography
