Olivia + Johnson

Pre-Ceremony

Olivia + Johnson's wedding was the most gorgeous gathering for love, with unique twists and lots of special guests, even including chickens(in the fanciest chicken coop EVER), a giant bullfrog, an owl, koi fish and ducks.

The Couple's home, filled with family relics, charming antiques, a story and treasure at every turn, now shares the memories of where they prepared for their wedding.

I absolutely loved the details that were included in their day to tell their story.
Olivia + Johnson didn't leave anyone out, even those who attended in spirit, from Olivia putting on her jewelry with the photos of Johnson's Mother and ancestor, to Johnson's Father's WWII pocket watch he carried.

Ceremony At The Wedding Pond

The Frog Pond, The Koi Pond and The Wedding Pond.
I had the luxury of visiting the garden and getting the tour of the ponds before their wedding day and am so glad I did! Having one pond in your yard is usually a stunning addition, Olivia + Johnson have three! The newest, The Wedding Pond, where Olivia and Johnson stood before and said their vows. The Wedding Pond also holding a piece of their vows, not just from them standing before it, but because the couple's Oathing Stone now lives there.

An Oathing Stone is an old Scottish tradition where the Couple place their hands upon a stone while saying their wedding vows. Once the oath is set and the marriage vow sealed, the couple’s wedding stone can either be tossed into water or kept in their home as a lasting symbol of their commitment.

The ceremony had unique twists on traditions to fit Olivia + Johnson's lives and personalities beautifully. A wedding should be a representation of who you are and these two did such an amazing job.

You Wrote Me A Garden

"You wrote me a garden, I wrote you a journal."

These two have an artful love. One that could be straight out of a movie or romance novel. The things they express to each other are not your everyday sayings or phrases, they almost speak in poems.

The magical gardens and ponds were not built overnight, but written and crafted by Johnson for some time. Pieces and sections specially created for Olivia, specially made for their love. Places where they could enjoy their time together and a place to commit themselves to each other forever. Olivia beamed when she gave me the tour of the garden, you could tell she was so incredibly proud of Johnson, the gardens and their home together. When she told me she had written a journal, something she started maybe a year before, wrote in throughout the process of planning and building and that she wanted to gift it to Johnson, she said, "He wrote me a garden, I wrote him this notebook.". It felt like I was living right inside a novel, just a side character, watching the most beautiful love story play out.

Reception At The Bellflower

After portraits, the Couple met their guests at The Bellflower.
The Bellflower is an adorable space I have been to many times, but Olivia + Johnson had it set up in a whole new way! It could have been a set for A Midsummers Night Dream. They had gorgeous florals by Marygold Meadows placed throughout the space, cute little nods to things Olivia + Johnson love and a lovely memorial area. Continuing to bring those they love in spirit to celebrate with them. Their caterers, Fire + Rice Paella adding delicious aromas to the air.

Honey By: Grass Roots Honey Co.

Cake By: Continental Bakery

First Wedding Print

We started bringing along our Polaroid to weddings, hoping to get a moment to snap a shot of your day on the film. We want to be able to give you your first wedding print!

Of course, each day is different, some days just don't give us this opportunity, but we are so beyond happy when they do. Even if the photos don't turn out the best, it's still such a special thing from your day. We personally had someone do this for our wedding and it's still easily one of Josh's favorites. Sometimes it's more about the memory than the photo itself.

Olivia and Johnson's day had the perfect moment, during their ceremony that allowed me to snap a first wedding print. Seeing how happy it made Olivia and the fact that she posed with it, unprovoked, made my heart soar. ♥

I'm so grateful for these two and their guests who welcomed me on their day and allowed me to be there to capture their art.