ENGAGED // NATALIE & JAMES // CHARLESTON, SC

Being out of college for two years now has taught me a handful of things. One of the more important lessons that I've walked away from? People that are meant to be in your life WILL BE in your life, regardless of distance, how often you talk, or any other factor. James (or BabyJ, as I like to call him), is one of those people.

I've known him for awhile now, and have been able to see him grow up in the past couple of years -- he's now living in Georgia, serving/training as a farsi translater for the Navy (did I mention he has a super thick southern accent? It's AWESOME) - and it's been such an incredible thing to be able to watch unfold. James would literally give you the shirt off his back. Not to mention, he's got a killer sense of humor and a huge heart.

And Natalie? Oh man. I freaking love this girl. In fact, I think we talk more now than James and I do! She's the sweetest, down to earth person with a heart of gold. I knew I was going to like her because she greeted me a with a hugeee hug when I walked into their hotel room (which is also when I saw their carefully picked out outfits all across the room  - alongside a ton of awesome turquoise jewelry!). We had so much fun the day of their shoot, walking all around Charleston, getting to know each other and I'm thankful to now call Nat-attack my friend, too!

Before the shoot we talked about all the different locations we should try to hit and we settled on two: Cypress Gardens (where they shot The Notebook) & they showed me Middleton Plantation (which is in the last half of the pictures), the spot where James proposed.. treated me to an awesome Mexican meal (some delish margaritas) & and another awesome dinner at Blossom (GO. If you're ever in Charleston!)

If you can't tell, they have undeniable chemistry and they love each other so well. I literally can't imagine James with anyone else.

Cannot wait to see ya'll again! Thanks for letting me be a part of your special journey!

WEDDING // MASHA & TOLIK // BROOKLYN, NYC

Warning: HUGEEEEE blog post ahead.

“They say a good love is one that sits you down, gives you a drink of water, and pats you on top of the head. But I say a good love is one that casts you into the wind, sets you ablaze, makes you burn through the skies and ignite the night like a phoenix; the kind that cuts you loose like a wildfire and you can't stop running simply because you keep on burning everything that you touch! I say that's a good love; one that burns and flies, and you run with it!”

I met Masha a handful of years ago. She is beautiful, kind, gentle-hearted, and a warrior. Anyone who is privileged enough to know her knows that. They probably also know that she has a heart that just wants to love and be loved. Her story is not mine to tell, but I will tell you that she's overcome things that a regular person would have let destroy them... but she's in love with our Creator and he's clearly her strength. When she facebooked me and asked me (a week and a half before her wedding) if there was any way for me to come to Brooklyn to shoot her ceremony, I knew I had to do it. I rarely travel alone, but I wanted to be able to be a part of her adventure and do this for her. To see her again and to meet the man that makes her so happy. As long as I've known her, I've heard about her praying and yearning for love from the right kind of guy. The "good love" ... and let me just tell you, after meeting Tolik - I can whole heartedly tell you that she's found it.

I wasn't able to meet Tolik until the day of the ceremony - they live in Israel and had an Israeli wedding ceremony, but wanted to have the legal ceremony stateside with their small families (including Tolik's amazing cousin Anya and her wonderful husband Julian) and a handful of friends (who were my lifesavers, love you ladies!) - but as soon as I met him, I loved the guy. Watching him walk into town hall in Brooklyn, and seeing this huge grin plastered on his face as he walked past everyone and straight to Masha as he took her in his arms and gave her a kiss on the cheek, telling her, "You look beautifulll!" -- let me just tell you, I wouldn't trade that for a thousand first looks. It was like we didn't exist! And once they had had their moment, we got to know each other. He's a comedy sketch writer in for Israeli TV and has his steady confidence and humor about him. I also noticed that he always has to touch Masha - not in a PDA sense, but in a "hey, I'm here, and I love you" way. Whether it's a hand on her shoulder, or a light kiss on her cheek, he's constantly affirming his love for her. It's beautiful and honest and I love it.

From the bride: We met at a shabbat dinner in Jerusalem during a trip I took in order to hug old people and pack food in storehouses. By that point I had already realized God was calling me to live in Israel. Three days after I said "Fine, okay God," ...  I met Tolik. Then, through mutual friends, Tolik happened to end up at this dinner (which was 2 hours away from where he lived). We talked for 5 hours straight and he took a 4 hour bus ride the next week to see me. He proposed to me in a bookstore 3 days after  I immigrated to Israel :]  Aaaand we're soulmates. Just saying. :]

The details: These two were married at Brooklyn town hall. We then walked down and had a deliciouslyyyy greasy lunch at Shake Shack. After that, we braved the FREEZING weather and walked down towards Dumbo and were able to take some pictures in an awesome carousel. Her sweet friends who own Cafe Grumpy shut the place down and had an awesome, coffee filled reception to end the night. The next day, there was a traditional Russian reception to include Masha's extended family (who I could write a huge paragraph of amazingness about right now, but this blog post is already ridiculously long.)

To the newlyweds: I adore you two. Thank you for allowing me into your moments to be a part of your special time. Masha, you're undeniably beautiful and I'm so happy to call you friend and sister. Tolik, keep being the awesome guy that I was blessed to get to know, she loves you to the moon and back. Put God first, don't let that passion die and your love will last a lifetime. 

Hair & makeup: Ruby 6 // Reception: Cafe Grumpy

ENGAGEMENT // NICOLE & BOBBY // DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA

I have literally known Nicole since second grade. So when she contacted me after a couple of years of mutually facebook stalking each other, and told me she was  getting married, I knew that I wanted to be a part of her special time. Those who know and love Nicole know that doing a typical, traditional engagement session just wouldn't fit. So, I had been wanting to do a holi powder engagement session for like EVER, and Nicole & Bobby were so down for it.

I didn't get to meet Bobby until the day of the engagement, but seeing the two of them together just makes sense. Nicole is quirky and laughs all the time and has such a sweet soul, and Bobby just lets her do her thing. He loves her well, and I loved seeing the two of them interact.

I really cannot WAIT until their beautiful outdoor wedding in August. Thanks for letting me be a part of your love story, ya'll!