I was over joyed when I saw my email and realized I had been referred by a wonderful pastor at a previous wedding! What a great feeling it is to be acknowledged at your craft and to also have people have confidence in sending their clients to you. Life is beautiful that way, and I feel we are all in it together and referrals are definitely a sign of this. The referral was for a wedding renewal. A wedding renewal in Topsail Beach, NC. My first ever Topsail Beach Wedding! I was extremely excited needless to say!

This couple was special because they were separated through War but brought together through love and have never stopped fighting since. He is an active member of the Marines and she is a stay at home mom with their young 2-year-old. Their love started in California after a fluke meeting and they were instantly connected.  Claire from Texas and Nate from Michigan just happened to cross paths during a vacation for both and instantly found lust for one another.

Claire and Nate are the epitome of young love. You can tell by the way they sneak glances and he grabs her hand that their hearts were molded just for one another. They stares make you feel warm inside as you are witnessing true love. It’s beautiful to be able to document something that is truly real. Nate is a very quite and a well manned Marine as you can image. Throughout the session he was holding his hands close to his face and body as he struggled through our very intense 35degree weather (Our session took place in the beginning of our very cold December Winter). It was the only day we could do their wedding renewals and we all fought through it, on the beach no less. The beautiful setting of North Topsail Beach was definitely a beautiful backdrop for our wonderful day. What is more prettier than a Topsail Beach Wedding! Um… A Marine Wedding!

Claire chose to wear a pink wedding dress that not only showed her unique taste in fashion but also her love for pink. I felt like this was a beautiful choice that showcased her fun and flirty personality as well as showcasing her beauty.  She dazzled with a Sapphire ring and a beautiful pink bouquet, of course! The day was a recreation of the day they couldn’t have three years ago in that empty court room filled with three people. Claire,Nate and a witness they paid to stand up for them as they proclaimed their love.  We danced, we laughed, they sang (their hearts did anyhow) and we ate (well..they did..and Claire and Nate surprised me with my own cupcake for the road)

Their lust that grew into love was definitely a testimony to always following your heart and allowing your heart to grow through the journey of courtship.

It was a beautiful renewal service done by Mrs. Angela Kelly. She versed everything so beautiful and I feel the images were able to capture the love and strength of Claire and Nate’s relationship.

For a Full Collection of this session please stay tuned to a full blog post about their beautiful day!! =)

Ceremony: Topsail Beach, NC

Dress: Pink Wedding Dress

Florals: Pink and White Rose Bouqet

Cupcakes: Whole Foods Bakery

Photographer: Paula Stauffer

Grooms Attire: Marine Formal