Thirty yards away crouching behind a tree, we watched as their shaking hands grasped together tight. As we listened in, we heard the rain fall softly on the leaves in the secluded woodsy area at Old Spencer’s Mill. We witnessed their raw emotion from afar as they privately exchanged the vows they’d written one another. Andrew’s face lighting up with her words. Kiana’s infectious laugh ringing out with his. We simultaneously stopped snapping photos for a moment and our eyes connected. With a silent nod and a wide smile, we were both sweetly reminded why we chose to become wedding photographers.

As we turned back to the private ceremony, we saw the fresh tears on Kiana’s cheeks as she walked toward us after they had promised to spend forever together. We were the first to congratulate them on becoming husband and wife. The rain cleared for a few moments, and we watched them glow as we took the portraits that they will show their kids and grandkids one day as they tell them how their family tree began.

Kiana and Andrew, we want to thank you both for letting us be present with you on such a special day. Your choice to have a private ceremony was unique and absolutely beautiful. We were touched that you trusted us enough to peek in on such a private, monumental moment in your lives. We’ve loved working with the two of you from climbing across creeks in Montgomery Bell State Park to get the best lighting for your engagement session all the way to facing Chelsea’s fear of birds as peacocks roamed around us on your wedding day.

Kiana, thank you for being such a gracious, go-with-the-flow kind of bride. Andrew, thank you for being more worried about us getting rained on than you while we took your husband and wife portraits—we’d do it again in a heartbeat! We wish you both all of the happiness in the world. Know that you can always count on us as more than just photographers, but also friends!

Venue: Old Spencer Mill