When we last left off with Justin and Courtney we were talking about the importance of knowing someone through and through. It may sound obvious you can't have a deep and meaningful relationship with someone you just met. After all it takes time, long conversations, and just being together to truly get to know someone. As simple as that might sound it's something we often forget once we've tied the knot.
Too often we forget that human beings are not static. We are constantly changing both physically and emotionally. As we mature we see the world differently and if we aren't paying attention we can look up and see that the person we are married to is different than the person we married. That's why intimacy, or knowing one another through and through, is as essential (perhaps even more so) after marriage as it is before marriage.
It's so important to carve out time in our schedules to date our spouse. We have to recognize the changes in the other so that we can encourage the good, exhort the bad, and keep falling in love with the same person over and over again.
Justin and Courtney laid out a great example of this in their courtship. They moved beyond know about each other to knowing each other deeply by simply spending hours and hours in deep conversation. The first time that they hung out together they spent the entire night talking together. They learned they were very different and yet had similar dreams and hopes.
It was this level of communication that paved smooth the road of change for them. Courtney confided in the interview that Justin's influence on her life made her less relationally selfish. This shows us that even before marriage there were relational changes in their lives. It was their intimacy that helped them navigate those changes. If they hold strong to this in married life they are bound to find a prosperous and long marriage ahead of them.
As you watch their story think of some ways that you've changed since you said 'I do' and spend time sharing those with your spouse. I promise it'll rock your world!
Congrats Justin and Courtney! We wish you many happy years together!
Title: Through & Through - Story Couple: Justin & Courtney Length: 21:39 Click Here to Watch Their Complete Story
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Let's face it, none of us like to wait. Patience is a difficult thing for all human beings. Michael and Nicole's story reminds us that patience is as rewarding as it is important. Just as the old adage says, "good things come to those who wait".
That certainly could not have been more true for Michael and Nicole. They spent most of their lives with only 1 degree of separation and yet had never met. When Nicole was in her mid thirties her godmother finally seized the opportunity to introduce the two. After spending their first "date" together at a family reunion, there was no doubt that they had each found their long awaited soul mate.
The lesson for these two was that God's timing was perfect in their lives. Had they met earlier perhaps they wouldn't have been at the right points in their lives to make that connection. If any later then they may have found themselves in other relationships. The timing was just right.
But patience isn't relegated to just the courtship process, in fact is plays a large roll in everyday marital life. We can lack patience in everyday interactions with our spouse or dwell in discontentment through impatience in the current seasons of our lives. In each circumstance the lack of patience boils down to a lack of faith - a belief that the present and the present circumstances are necessary to teach of us about ourselves, refine our character, and help build endurance in our relationships.
So, as you watch their story, consider three areas of your relationship where you are lacking in patience. Think of ways to abandon the accompanying fear and doubt and move towards a place of patience and faith. You'll find contentment, peace, and good stuff waiting on the other side.
Congratulations Michael and Nicole! We wish you many happy years of living out God's perfect timing! Title: God's Timing - Story Couple: Michael & Nicole Length: 10:44 Click Here to Watch Their Complete Story
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We're excited to release Rose Ann and Andrew's long awaited trailer! Ethan, James & I made the trek in April to Hilton Head Island, SC to shoot their wedding.
They both currently live in Washington state, and so I was curious to learn why they traveled to the opposite side of the country to tie the knot. Andrew told me that his grandparents lived on the island and so he spent many summers there as a kid. His fond memories included bikes, the beach, and the very church where Andrew and Rose Ann exchanged their vows. It was beautiful, but Spanish Moss, Live Oaks, and the ocean aside their wedding had a deep level of significance for Andrew and his family.
So making the sacrifice of a cross country trip (or a global trip for Rose Ann's family) is just one more way that this couple shows their love for each other by sacrificing for the other. When we release their story in a couple of weeks we'll talk more in depth about the self-sacrificing nature of this couple and how important it is to growing a healthy marriage.
We hope you enjoy the trailer! Title: Self Sacrifice - Cinematic Trailer Couple: Andrew & Rose Ann Length: 2:05 Click Here to Watch Their Complete Story
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My father-in-law, Ben (one of our storytellers) and his wife all share one thing in common. They all graduated from Harding University in Searcy, Arkansas. Because of the faith basis of the school the alumni share a close-knit kinship - a kinship that I saw in Kolby and Victoria who are recent grads from Harding.
Like Ben and his wife Lesley this couple met and fell in love while studying at Harding. So it was great to hear similar stories of visiting the local Walmart on a date during the early days of Kolby and Victoria's romance.
During their on camera interview we learned about everything from Kolby's Facebook stalking to a proposal that ended a cross country road trip. This couple has fallen very deeply in love with each other, and we'll share more about them as we release the other segments from their wedding video.
The wedding day went quite well. We started in Conyers, GA where we covered Kolby and Victoria getting ready and then made the trek to the Dekalb History Center in Decatur. It was our first time shooting at the Old Courthouse on the Square and we really fell in love with the space. The windows provide a lot of beautiful natural light that contrasts well against the granite interior. Everything was organized and catered by Danella Burnett of Oakwood Occasions. She did a great job keeping everything running on schedule and the food her team prepared was wonderful! We also worked along side Matthew & Kristina from Story of Two Photography who were very helpful and fun to work with. And lastly we had a chance to hear Keith McGibony from MacDaddy Entertainment sing and DJ the night away. He did an amazing job. It took me almost an hour to realize that he was singing and not just playing music!
We hope you enjoy the same day edit. We had a great time putting it together. Stay tuned for their other video segments which will be coming in the next couple of weeks! Title: - Same Day Edit Couple: Kolby & Victoria Length: 6:00 Click Here to Watch Their Complete Story
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Some couples shine, some radiate, and some, like Kofi and Candace, reflect.
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When I say reflect I'm not just talking about a sort of introspective posture (although that is very much a part of Kofi and Candace's life as well). Rather, I'm talking about their ability to reflect good on the other. Kofi and Candace are opposites in many ways. He's more "A-Type" and she is more "free spirited". The good that comes from these differences reflects on to the other and makes growth and mutual encouragement possible.
Candace backed this up when she remarked; “He’s able to, in a loving and gentle way, focus me in on that potential and then we’re both amazed at the outcome.” Kofi likewise benefits from Candace's differences. “She lifts me, she encourages me, she supports me and she stands by my side. That support and that encouragement is unbelievable.”
Their goodness certainly has helped each other, but their sense of good doesn't come merely from the other, it comes as a reflection of their faith - their definition of goodness. Kofi shared; “I think it's an awesome opportunity being together just to really reflect the glory of God in life all around us, in people’s lives all around us.”
When we release their story we'll share more about the importance of agreeing on a source for goodness and reflecting that truth onto your spouse. For now we hope you enjoy their trailer. You'll get to see snippets from their late April wedding that took place at The Foundry and was beautifully executed by Shaundra Moore of B. Moore Events. And I don't want to forget the shout out to Scobey Photography for always being a pleasure to work with!
We hope you enjoy their trailer!
Title: Reflections - Cinematic Trailer Couple: Kofi & Candace Length: 1:53 Click Here to Watch Their Complete Story
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I remember in 2007 when the Baps Mandir was being built very near my house. It's a beautiful marble building with very intricate architecture and craftsmanship. I had always wanted to visit, if for no other reason than to admire the building up close. So when Sohum and Nisha told me that Baps Mandir would be the venue for their wedding day, I was very excited.
And the Mandir was more beautiful up close than I had imagined. And more than the building itself, I was exposed to the wealth of family heritage that these two share with the community at the Mandir. Witnessing these two families integrate into one unit was as wonderful as the setting.
Sohum and Nisha carry on a deep tradition of love from their families. In fact their wedding day happened to coincinde with Nisha's parent's 27th wedding anniversary. During our interview it was plain to see that these two are very much in love. Their love was rooted in a friendship that began between families and escalated into a romance that grew, in part, through phone conversations while Sohum made the long drive between Athens and Alpharetta. The lesson this couple shares with us through their story is one of ongoing communication and the role it plays in creating a deep level of commitment.
We'll talk more about that powerful relaitonal building block when we release their story in a couple of weeks. For now though you'll have to be content to get a glimpse into their wedding day through their Same Day Edit.
Danny and I enjoyed shooting the morning events at The Baps Mandir in Lilburn, GA. We shot along side Soham Patel (not to be confused with the groom Sohum) and had a great time. He was very friendly and shared a lot of cultural insight with us both. James, who was recovering from an injuried back, did a fantastic job putting together this edit on the wedding day. He had everything ready in time to show off the same day edit during the cocktail hour of the reception which was hosted at the Perimeter Westin.
We hope you enjoy their Same Day Edit! Title: Talk Of The Town - Same Day Edit Couple: Sohum & Nisha Length: 4:47 Click Here to Watch Their Complete Story
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When we last left off with Marlon and Cassandra they were just doing what they do best - enjoying each other's company.
Really? Can one of the foundational elements of a strong relationship really be as simple as just enjoying being together? That may sound overly simplistic, but it doesn't take long to see that for Marlon and Cassandra that assumption is exactly right.
After the honeymoon it's easy for our attention to be consumed with career, bills, kids, etc. So consumed in fact, that it's easy to loose sight of the reason you fell in love in the first place. We loose sight of the enjoyment of our spouse's company which can pave the way for bitterness, jealousy, and other nasty things that can bring any relationship to it's bitter end.
That's why Marlon and Cassandra's story is such a great reminder for all of us. They can enjoy anything (even a discussion of taxes) as long as they are doing it together. You'll see what I mean when you watch their video.
So as you watch their story think of some practical steps that you can take to bring the enjoyment back into your marriage. Maybe it's taking some time out to do the activities you shared together when your relationship began. Or perhaps you can look through some old photos together - sparking conversations about the 'good old days'. Whatever you do it's important to not loose sight of this crucial component to a successful relationship.
Congrats Marlon and Cassandra! Thanks for the great reminder and fun story. We wish you many happy years of enjoyment together! Title: Just The 2 of Us - Story Couple: Marlon & Cassandra Length: 10:58 Click Here to Watch Their Complete Story
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What do a mariachi band, a bag piper playing AC/DC, and an 80's rock cover band from San Francisco have in common? If you were to guess Edward and Lisa's reception then you would be right. With that lineup it's easy to understand that this couple enjoys a good time! Just a few minutes into their interview I learned about their love of rock shows, partying at bars, and exotic vacations. Whatever they're doing, they just simply enjoy being together and sharing good times.
But their love for each other is rooted in something deeper than just loving good times. They've learned over the years that they make an amazing team. Together they've found an equilibrium that allows them to share the burdens of life and rely on the other's strengths to overcome the obstacles they face.
It's an important take-away for all of us, one we'll share in more detail when we release their story segment. But for today we hope you'll enjoy a sneak peek into their wedding day.
Lindsay Pitt's team at Toast Events did an amazing job coordinating all of the moving parts for the wedding day. From the ceremony at Trinity Presbyterian to the reception at The Piedmont Driving Club her team was on top of everything.
We also got to shoot along David Christensen and his pregnant wife Paula (she had the baby the week after the wedding). I haven't been able to shoot along side them in a while, but it was great to get to work along side them once again. Since Paula was very close to her delivery Shawna Herring came along as the second shooter. So it was a treat to get to work with two of my favorite photographers on the same night.
The San Fransisco based band Pop Rocks did a great job keeping the crowd on their feet during their 80's rock sets. From the beautiful decor to the beautiful weather the day was a smashing success.
We hope you enjoy their trailer! Title: Rock On - Cinematic Trailer Couple: Edward & Lisa Length: 2:04 Click Here to Watch Their Complete Story
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How does the saying go? Falling in love is like falling off of a log? For some people falling in love takes time, fights, and a complete re-evaluation of the other person. For others, like Matthew and Julia, it takes just a little nudge.
They both attended the University of Alabama and knew of each other because of the fraternity and sorority relationships they shared. All it took was a gentle nudge from Julia's step mom to get Matthew to take Julia to a dance and the rest was history. The two have hardly been apart since.
Theirs is a relatively unique tale among our couples, and it was a delight to be present to shoot their wedding day.
James, Ethan, and I spent the entire day with Matthew and Julia. Through the rain and the patches of sunshine we were there to capture everything from the bridal prep to the send off. The wedding was beautiful and the ceremony was handled perfectly by Melissa and Susan at Carrollton First United Methodist Church. Afterwards we enjoyed shooting the reception which was hosted on the grounds of Julia's father and step-mother's home. Everything was stunning including the ice sculpture bar which wowed many of the guests.
We also had the pleasure of shooting along side Tim McClain who is a great photographer and was an invaluable help to us on the wedding day. I always love when we are able to work with friendly and talented vendors.
Sit back and enjoy their same day edit and stay tuned for their soon coming trailer and story! Title: Easy to Love - Same Day Edit Couple: Matthew & Julia Length: 4:37 Click Here to Watch Their Complete Story
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We talked earlier about the difficult decision that Katie had to make when Dylan decided to join the Navy. For more than a week Katie tried to decide if the sacrifices of becoming a military wife was to be a part of her future. It just wasn't in her original plan.
Dylan asked her to decide if she was willing to make it work, and fortunately for the two of them she said yes. The decision hasn't been easy. With Dylan on board a sub for months at a time they have limited contact while he is away, but Katie doesn't doubt that it was the right decision.
Sometimes our relationships take turns that weren't part of our original plan. In those moments we are confronted with "do or die" decisions. Should I stay or should I go? The sacrifice often seems too great and unfortunately many couples give up, split up, and decide to pursue other people who might conform to the original plan.
The lesson we can take away from Dylan and Katie's story is that sacrifice for relationships always pays back in the long run. You'll hear Dylan talk about Katie's relentless pursuit of his commitment and how that has helped him to be committed in all areas of his life. Her love and her sacrifice has bettered Dylan in more than just their relationship. It's extended to all other areas in his life as well. When we help better others we begin to experience true joy (I don't mean happiness). If you're willing to pay the price, stick it out, and get on board you'll find a contentment on the other side that is more rewarding than what would come by following the original plan.
As you watch their story consider areas in your relationship where you are just not willing to "get on board". Maybe your spouse wants to go back to school and that means extra responsibilities at home for you. Perhaps it's a job promotion that will force you to relocate. Whatever it is, consider how the change will better your spouse and what getting on board with their dream will mean to your relationship.
Congrats Dylan and Katie. Thanks for giving us a great example of what commitment and self sacrifice looks like. We wish you many happy years together!
Title: Getting On Board - Story Couple: Dylan & Katie Length: 14:44 Click Here to Watch Their Complete Story
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