Where do I begin with these two? Well to start, Luther and I went to the same high school and were in drama club which is as close to being blood related as you can get. We were in a total of four plays together where we were cast the roles of friends, feuding siblings on a road trip, hillbilly husband and wife on a musical tour through the deep down south and so on. Luther was very good at making the crowd laugh. About four years and a month ago Luther called me up asking me if I could do a photoshoot for him and this girl. I was dutifully curious and skeptical as a good friend should be, but that all dissipated at seeing them together. It seemed that Luther found someone to make laugh for the rest of his life. I didn't know it at the time, but over the next couple of years I saw how deeply committed they were to each other. You see, the majority (and when I say majority, I mean 96.76%) of their relationship was long distance. He was in the Navy (still is I might add). She was in school. He wrote her a letter. She wrote back. And the letters kept sailing back and forth. Talk about real-life Notebook story right here...except this story is actually good.

When Luther asked me to shoot their wedding all the nostalgia of the afternoon with them on the docks on Lake Michigan came back. I couldn't be more excited to be there for them and capture these moments. Emily brought such an energy to the day. She seriously was one of the most excited brides I have ever seen. She and her bridesmaids were so fun to work with. I especially loved their idea to recreate the Bridesmaids movie cover. And Luther was as funny as ever, making us laugh and just enjoying the day. It was so sweet to see them together at last. Over these past four years they have been made to learn to be faithful communicators through the inkings of their letters, spur of the moment flowers, FaceTime dates, and emails, but it started with letters. So here's to all the marriages that began with letters, and here's to Luther and Emily. Your wedding was beautiful. I love you guys.

Vendors:

Salon and Getting Ready Photos: Blue Harbor Resorts

Ceremony: Fountain Park United Methodist Church

Reception: Pine Hills Country Club

Hair and Makeup: Jomaji Salon and Spa

Dress Designer: Lusan Mandongus

Caterer: Pine Hills Country Club

Music/DJ: Infinity DJ

Florist: Caan's Floral

Cake: Sweet P's Cakes and Confections