The Cosby celebration is the latest gorgeous wedding at 3M Farms in Scottsville.  And it was stunning because of the people, the beauty of the decorative choices and the venue, but most of all because of their love.  Caleb loves Amanda; Amanda loves Caleb; their family and friends love them too.

Every story is special.  And I enjoy hearing them all.  You’ll have to click the link at the bottom of the post to read about Caleb and Amanda’s.  They told me all about it when we did their engagement session last spring.  I feel like I say some of the same things over and over – but the big things in life bear repeating.  If you haven’t told your children “your story,” tell them.  My mother told me so many things that I cherish now, but I wish I knew more, had asked more.  Love is special.  It’s a gift from Our Father that makes the sometimes dreary days of life more beautiful.  Love is the reason for getting up when you want to sit down and it’s the heartbeat of the family.  Even when it’s messy and you don’t like or agree with everything around you, love is the most important factor.  ….and the greatest of these is love.    Everyone feels love when it’s given.  Granted, none of us walk around feeling gushy like I’m making it sound, but it’s there – underneath the grind of everyday life.  It lives inside us all, and nothing brings out those emotions like a wedding.

Amanda and Caleb, one of the greatest joys I have with photography isn’t even clicking the camera (although it’s no secret that I love it!!), it’s learning who couples really are.  What they like and don’t, their unique personalities, and how families mesh together.  You two are amazing, and I loved every second I spent with you.  I love how you were real and the joy that you bring each other.  You’ve already experienced ups and downs through 13 years of loving each other, so you could probably jump on here and give better advice than me.  So I’ll just say that I wish you abundant happiness and many loud, rumbling trails as time goes on.   Love and blessings,   Pat

Amanda’s dress in breathtaking!!  It fit her look and personality to a T!

Before he saw her, I told Caleb how beautiful Amanda was in her dress.  “I know she will be,” he said.  “She’s beautiful every day.”

First looks with Amanda’s dad and stepdad.

Caleb wore his late grandfather’s boots. And he did NOT get cold feet.

Again, a nod to Caleb’s late grandfather who was very important in his life.

Caleb and Amanda gave sweet gifts to all their parents.

And SWEET letters to each other as well.

Wedding time!!  And beautiful from every angle.  Seth Graves with Magnolia and Steel has such a natural talent for making things beautiful.  And he’s an AMAZING wedding coordinator too.  He doesn’t miss anything and he keeps us all on time.  If you are on the fence about hiring a wedding planner, DO IT.

Outside weddings allow me to grab so many different angles.

Family is incredibly important, and so are pictures with them.

The sibling shot, including beautiful Bailey who left way too soon.

Y’all – this toast was PRECIOUS!!  Notice what Cole is handing his brother.  So apparently he had a mighty crush on Amanda when he was was a little boy.  And he had kept her senior picture from 2011 in his wallet all this time.  He gave his brother the photo during his toast.  I won’t ever forget that sweet speech.   He also mentioned how much he looks up to Caleb and a few things that older brother told him over the years that have stuck with him.  We truly never know how much someone is listening to what we say.

And more sweet speeches from Amanda’s maid of honor and step dad who both adore her!  Mickey talked about watching her grow up and some of his favorite memories of watching her grow up.  It seems that she was the queen of skits.  Those days pass too fast.  I always think of this – “The days are long, but the years are short.”  I don’t know who originally said it, but they were wise for sure.

And then the groom danced with his beautiful bride.

And they danced with their parents too.  I love that they included Dad, Stepdad, Mom, and Stepmom.  When families are blended, it’s a lot to figure out sometimes (I know from my own), but it’s worth it.

AHHH – the sun set at 3M Farms.  It dips over the field during golden hour and washes everything with warmth.  That and this gorgeous couple made my heart stop.

Fun!

The bride danced with her mom to Tim McGraw’s Humble and Kind.  How fitting.  That’s been the daily advice that Denise has given her daughter since she was big enough to know what it meant.  And speaking from someone who has watched this beauty grow from a middle schooler to a therapist who works with struggling kiddos, she is the living breathing epitome of “humble and kind.”  Mama, you’ve done well.

They LOVE to ride.  And it’s a pretty ride!

I have no doubt as I’m writing this that they have more memories on this bike from their honeymoon!!

One last sunset photo for the road.

Loved working with these incredible vendors:

Venue | The Barn at 3M Farms

Florals, Wedding Planning & Coordination | Seth Graves w/ Magnolia & Steel

DJ Services | Brandon Dewitt

Hair | April Pardue w/ Platnum Hair Co.

Makeup | Danica Spurlock Tester

Cake | Linda’s Cakes & Catering

Catering | Smoke Shack BBQ

You can view Amanda and Caleb’s spring engagement session here.