After spending two weeks away from the professional photo side of things doing ministry in Mexico and my own community, this past week and a half has been full on business. I've been returning inquiry emails, keeping up with current clients, booking weddings (include my first 2014 wedding set for March in Raleigh, NC), and gearing up for this weekend's upcoming destination wedding at Honey Lake Plantation in Greenville, FL. There is a five hour drive ahead of me today, but I couldn't leave without sharing with you all a little bit about my process involved in getting ready for a wedding. While wedding blogs, my fav photographers sites, Pinterest and such provide a sea of inspiration which encourages me to challenge myself to look deeper and stretch farther to capture the true essence of a bride and groom's wedding day; there is always something so refreshing and inspiring about taking a look back at my own wedding photography experiences, remembering the excitement of the day, the beauty in the unexpected and the genuine love that spilled over all along the way.

Chelsie and Corey's Zolfo, FL wedding just this type of wedding. Thoughtfully planned at Chelsie's family's ranch, perfectly crafted with exquisite details and overflowing with evident love between the pair this wedding was rich with detail and charm. It was gorgeous to say the least and I have spent the past week immersed in the images from their day as I wrapped up editing these photos. From a gorgeously sunny, breezy day, to joyful flower girl that wants to stand just ahead of everyone else, to a surprise round or two on a go-cart track, to the sun setting over a happily married at-ease pair of newlyweds; it is never a bad idea to approach the day with a vision, ideas, hopes and a plan but to hold it all lightly in open hands ready to embrace the authenticity of the moment and the unexpected delightful surprises along the way.