Testimony is a word that keeps coming to mind when I think of Holly and Jake’s love story. Their story is a beautiful testament to the Lord’s plan, favor, and redemption in our lives. Holly has such a strong faith and this is evident in her words and actions. She was such an honor to serve during this season of her life.

In late September, I had the privilege of shooting Holly’s bridal portraits. I knew she was going to be beautiful, but WOAH! I knew that Jake was going to freak out when he saw his bride in just a few short weeks and you can take a look back at their engagement blog to see how perfect us working together was all a part of God’s plan.

Seven Springs has been on my photographer bucket list and it definitely lived up to the hype. Holly and Jake’s wedding day started off rainy with no signs of it letting up. Since we had yet to shoot at Seven Springs we did not know what to expect as far as indoor options were concerned. Let me give them a little shout out for a second...get yourself a venue with indoor options that are just as beautiful (if not more) than the outdoor options. Seven Springs blew my expectations away.

The girls were getting ready in the guest cottage when we arrived while the guys were hanging out in the manor house. Holly slipped into her dress with the help of her mom and sister right in front of her dad and that’s when I started to lose it. He was in awe of his beautiful daughter. I can only imagine that he was picturing her as a little girl. This is when he said the sweetest thing to her. “Holly, you are going to make a wonderful wife and mother. Look at the example that you had {pointing to her mom}.” This is a tight knit family. They love each other so much and have a bond that is electric.

Then it was time for the big moment. The first look. This is the most intimate moment of the day for the bride and groom. It’s just them. Raw emotion and nothing else. No distractions. Remember how I mentioned the gorgeous indoor locations at Seven Springs?! Well. This is one of them.

After these two had a moment alone, we all headed to Broadus Memorial Baptist Church for their ceremony. This was probably one of my favorite ceremonies of all time. Mainly because it was as if we were in a worship service, because, well, we were. Remember that word testimony from the beginning of the blog? As their friends and family gathered around them they were displaying the love that God has designed for us. We were not created to live alone, we were created to have a partner to walk through life with. The couple took in communion together and participated in a cord tying ceremony while Holly’s little brother sang Kari Jobe and Cody Carnes’ The Blessing. *Again, cue all the tears.

We all loaded up and headed back to Seven Springs to let the celebration continue. These two have the greatest friends and family to continue to shape them, mold them, and support them through their marriage and spiritual walk. You can feel the love in pictures taken during the entire night.

If you’re still with me, I’ll leave you with these lyrics from ‘The Blessing’ - This is my new prayer for Holly and Jacob as well as all of the couples that we are blessed to witness start this journey through life together.

May His favor be upon you

And a thousand generations

And your family and your children

And their children, and their children

.

May His presence go before you

And behind you, and beside you

All around you, and within you

He is with you, He is with you

May Holly and Jake’s testimony of marriage cause you to listen to this song, pray with your spouse, or reach out to someone that you wouldn’t have otherwise have.