I had the honor of documenting this couple say I Do on Saturday. Joe and Priscila will always hold a very special place in my heart, and here’s why.

Let me take you back to March of this year. I was having coffee with a friend at Fox in the Snow (which you’ve probably heard me talk about no less than one million times.) We sitting there minding our own business, when all of the sudden, the guy at the table next to us is on the floor. On one knee, to be exact. He was PROPOSING to his girlfriend right in front of us!!!

We literally could not believe this was happening, and all four of us were crying tears of joy. What a cool moment to witness! It was really hard to not stare and gush with them and ask a thousand questions, but I controlled myself (barely) and let them have their moment.

Before I left the cafe, I stopped and congratulated them. After mustering up a lot of nerve, I told them I was a wedding photographer and gave them my card. I didn’t want to seem like a salesperson or ruin this amazing morning for them by trying to give them something they didn’t need or want, but they were so great about it! They hugged me and couldn’t believe the odds that a wedding photographer was sitting next to them when they got engaged! Joe asked me “Are you sure you don’t just sit around cafes waiting for people to propose?!” Good idea, Joe.

I honestly didn’t think anything would come of it. I mean who hires a random photographer they just met on the street? I left Fox in the Snow that day with a really cool story and nothing more.

Or so I thought.

Fast forward to August.

I get an Instagram message out of the blue from Priscila. She reminded me of our fateful meeting and asked if I could email her because they had a special situation they wondered if I could help them with. I’m not gonna lie, I was nervous about responding. I had no idea what I might be getting myself into, and I wasn’t sure what I could possibly help them with!

It turns out, Priscila lives in Brazil. And because of this, they would need to go through citizenship procedures in order to get married. Once her citizenship went through, the wedding would have to be very fast- like thirty days or less fast. They explained that they wouldn’t be having a traditional wedding, and asked me if I was up to the challenge. Heck. Yes. We talked a little about their needs and I put together a custom package for their intimate wedding. I told them to keep me updated on everything.

The last week of September, I get an email- they have a date!! For October 14th. As in, three weeks away. You guys, my jaw hit the floor. October 14th was literally the ONLY weekend I had available between April and the middle of December. How in the world did it work out so perfectly?!

The next few weeks were a whirlwind, and I can’t even imagine how time must have flown by for these two! Bana and I traveled up to Defiance, Ohio to celebrate this amazing story of love. I was absolutely blown away by how happy and excited Joe and Priscila’s family and friends were. I was even more blown away by how intensely this couple loves each other. I wasn’t sure what to expect when it came to their photos. Would they be awkward in front of the camera? Would they feel shy? Would they interact well with each other? Would I have to be super hands on with posing them? I worried for nothing. They love each other perfectly and I was there to capture it all with my lens.

Joe and Priscila, I don’t even know how to formulate into words how I feel about you both. I CAN NOT believe our paths crossed, and I’m so happy they did! Thank you from the bottom of my heart for having Bana and I with you on your wedding day.

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