Amber & Juan’s Agritopia Wedding

Nicole took the microphone, the sun creating little glowing spots on the tablescape in front of them, everyone hushed to listen to her words. Her sister, Amber, and her new brother, Juan, looked up at her from their seats, smiling without realizing it as Nicole delivered her maid of honor speech. Amber’s eyes filled with tears as her sister/best friend spoke the kindest well wishes to their marriage while they remembered all the times they thought about this day when they were little. Their mom sat in the seat next to them, wiping tears with a napkin as the memories flooded her mind of her little girls playing with dolls and growing faster than she could have ever wanted. As I captured this moment through my lens, I felt that familiar lump in my throat, realizing that these three women were an example of what I pray my life will look like when my daughters get married. I pray my girls are best friends who are always there for each other, and who still love their mama more than words and happily pull her on the dance floor to celebrate. I pray that I have the same look on my face as Amber’s mom; a look of relief and gratitude that her daughter has found a love so true and so meant to be. I can only imagine how her heart swells now when she thinks of Amber and Juan on their wedding day. I wonder if she knew when she met Juan for the first time (when he and Amber were still in high school) that this day would be a possibility for them. It’s a mother’s dream come true to see her daughter so happy, so I can safely say that this day was everything she, and the beautiful couple, had dreamed of and more.

Aside from how beautiful this day was (can we talk about those flowers??), it truly was the sweetest celebration of love between the kindest and most genuine couple I could ever hope to work with. I just love these two, and Amber’s vision for this day came together to impeccably. We are both super crafty, so seeing her work displayed out in person was such a privilege! They shared the sweetest first look followed by reading their personal vows, and I couldn’t help but smile pretty much the entire day. My favorite part was their tree ceremony where they poured dirt onto a potted tree’s soil to be planted in the orchard where they said their “I Do’s”, and if that isn’t the most meaningful thing I’ve ever heard then I don’t know what is! Amber and Juan, thank you so much for letting me be a part of this amazing ride with you. I am so thankful to know you and to watch your marriage thrive and grow, just like that beautiful tree in the green orchard with its roots planted firmly in love.