We photographed Brent and Colette’s wedding at Villa Sienna this weekend, and it was one of the sweetest and most heartfelt ceremonies we’ve ever had the privilege of documenting. Because it wasn’t just the joining of two beautiful people, it was the blending of two beautiful families –– represented by a truly touching sand ceremony including their children: Colette’s daughter and Brent’s son and daughter. As Brent and Colette read their vows, there weren’t many dry eyes in the place. If you know their story, if you know their broken road (as one of their favorite country songs goes), then you understand how deeply powerful that moment was. The redemption and restoration. The healing and hope. The Goodness of God. We’ve been photographing weddings together for over a decade. Few have been of this emotional magnitude. Few this real, this raw… yet this rich. The way God lit the path when it was completely dark, the way He weaved the threads when they were barely hanging on, the way He made a way (when there was no way), is a proof positive that His promises are real –– and a true testament to the character of two people who, in spite of all the odds, believed.
Brent and Colette, when we met you on Zoom last fall, we fell in love with Brent’s good nature (and humor!) and Colette’s kindness and sweet disposition, but in the six months since then, we’ve come to respect and admire two things: your faith, and your courage –– both of which are in short supply in today’s world, but have been required and demanded of you in almost impossible quantities, and that you’ve delivered in spades. To say the road to here has been “hard” would be an understatement, and to pretend that the road ahead won’t have its own twists and turns would be naive; but we hope, when those potholes and plot twists appear, you’ll be able to look in the rearview mirror of life, and see so clearly how much God loves you, His plans and purpose for you, and how He’s had you in the palm of His hand the entire time. And always will.
It was a honor and a privilege to document your wedding day. We’ll never forget it. We hope you love the photos as much as we do. We can’t remember a time in our career that we’ve ever felt so convicted to do moments and memories the justice they deserved. Big hugs to you both and your families.
