It began at a bar. A bar in Monterey, California, to be exact. A bar that was crawling with service members from all different branches of the military, all of them in Monterey to learn at the Defense Language Institute. And he’d seen her before, most definitely. But he was afraid of putting himself out there, so he avoided talking to her, avoided making the first move. And she’d noticed him in class, but again- neither wanted to be the first to show interest. Both coming out of heartbreaks, both with a child of their own to care and provide for, and both wounded and scarred in their own way.

They are each other’s redemption story.

She brought him from a place of anger, bitterness and resentment, from a place where he never thought he’d be loved again, to a place of laughter. A place where he could smile and laugh with ease again. Her relaxed nature and ability to draw him out brought him back around to the guy I knew as my big brother. Jessica, you rescued him from somewhere dark, and we will always be eternally grateful to you for that. I am so glad to call you family and am PROUD to have you as a sister.

We began at my aunt’s house on Bald Head Island…

My incredibly talented grandmother Mimi made all of the florals…

My wonderful husband Matt took over for me during the ceremony so that I could be in the wedding :).

8 minutes for portraits– ready? GO.

Old Baldy, the BHI lighthouse.

On the ferry back to the mainland…

I love you both, Ethan & Jessica! And thank you so much for the privilege of documenting your wedding day. It was nothing short of an honor.