Ann Lander says that “Love is friendship that has caught fire. It is quiet, understanding, mutual confidence, sharing and forgiving. It is loyalty through good and bad times. It settles for less than perfection and makes allowances for human weaknesses.”

Although my time getting to know Sarah and Austen was short, I was moved as I got to see how deeply they both adored and loved each other.

With all my Wedding photography clients, I like to help them create a detailed time line of their event. This time line helps us both to visualize the whole day so we can prioritize it. Originally, on Sarah and Austen agenda, they had been planning a beautiful Navarre beach dream wedding. Unfortunately, weather was working against them that day and they had to change the location of their wedding ceremony.

Having to change their dream wedding location must have been a very hard call to make and huge disappointment. They we’re very fortunate to have booked the beautiful Bayfront Lodge and Cabin in that rested along the bay in Gulf Breeze FL. As an outsider looking in, I would have never assumed any hard feelings or disappointment coming form either Sarah or Austen. They were both over the moon excited the whole day about getting to married.

I have photographed many pre-wedding encounters before, but I have never taken pictures of one that was so deeply moving and personal like Sara and Austen’s. I don’t think there was not a single dry eye in the whole room including myself. Sarah very thoughtfully wrote a beautiful note to Austen followed by a Lord or the Rings J.R.R. Tolkien Book set. It is a very fitting gift as they begin a new chapter together with their very own adventures to pursue.

Austen made Sara work for her gift, as he wrapped it in layers with fun surprises in-between each layer. At the very end, he presented her with the most elegant diamond necklace.

I still get chills looking back at their beautiful ceremony. Knowing all the last minutes changes that had to occur, and not one of those changes affected the beauty and intimacy of their day.

To quote J.R.R. Tolkien  “I would rather share one lifetime with you than face all the ages of this world alone.”

– Arwen

The night continued on with beautiful speeches, first dances, great food, and even better company. Friends and family from all over came and surrounded Sara and Austen with their support and encouragement as they celebrated this amazing couple and their new life tougher. I was blessed to be their wedding photographer capturing all the beautiful moments throughout their very memorable day.