When I first got Jessica’s email I immediately knew I wanted to do this wedding. Not only did she give us lots of gracious compliments on our work at her brother’s wedding & images she & Ralph loved & that she keeps up with the blog (aww shucks, *blush*) but she entrusted me with a secret. “My family doesn’t know I am engaged yet. My fiancé Ralph and I want to tell them together in October when I get home from Afghanistan.…so don’t mention it, it’s a surprise!” Oh, how I love a good surprise! (I’m an excellent secret-keeper btw)
Have you ever been around a couple that makes you laugh because they laugh so hard, or makes you giddy because they are giddy? Yeah, meet these two. For those of you that know them, you will undoubtedly be able to see their true personalities, sense of humor and vibrant love through the photographs. And for those of you who don’t know them, well you’ll be able to see it too. Jessica & Ralph were completely themselves and during “first look” got so swept up in each other that they seemed to forget we were even there, despite the cameras clicking all over the place. (that’s myfavorite moment – when the couple forgets whose around and just be) Needing no direction, we just let them go with the flow and it ended up being totally real, totally Jessica & Ralph. It’s clear they have an amazing relationship and playfully “ridiculous” (as Jessica identified it) sense of humor. That gorgeous gal has such a sparkly white smile that lights up her face, and boy oh boy does he make her smile!
Every couple we work with is happy in love, looking forward to starting their life together. Jessica & Ralph however, are bursting with excitement to not only become Mr. & Mrs. but to just be together. To hold hands, kiss & squeeze each other tight. To say I love you and hear it whispered with warm breathe in her ear. To have a date night on the town or to do nothing at all. They are together, and that’s all that matters. Appreciating every moment, hanging on every word & letting every moment imprint itself into their memory – you know, the things we take for granted.
Ralph & Jessica both proudly serve our country as soliders in the Marine Corp. She’s recently returned from Afghanistan & based in Cali, while he’s deployed to Japan – all while planning a wedding in Virginia. Thank heavens for the internet! In a whirlwind trip Ralph arrived in the states in just enough time to get married & have a “mini-moon” before heading back to Japan where he has another year before he is able to join his lovely bride & family. It’s a true love story that withstands time & distance. No doubt they will plan another celebration or at least a proper honeymoon when he returns stateside. Until then Skype dates will resume but I have a feeling they will make the best of it and have fun no matter what. (wear costumes, dance-off, ya’ know, shake it up a bit)
It’s incredible people like these two – that sacrifice their time & lives, spending months away from their loved ones & new families to serve our country – that make it possible for us to freely do what we love. So it was our esteemed pleasure to capture this joyous day for them.
–Sarah & Ashley
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