Out of all the holidays in the year to pick for a wedding, New Years Eve just might be our favorite.  What better way to kick-off a new year than with a new last name!  Add champagne, gold, and everything bright and fun, it’s the perfect atmosphere to tie the knot.

Anna was beautiful bride inside and out.  You could see her happiness in her eyes as she looked at Chris.  She was stunning and joyful in her Hayley Paige wedding dress.  All of the her bridal details from her fur coat to her bouquet full of light blooms and succulents perfectly complimented her grace and style that she brought to this winter wedding.  Chris was the perfect counterpart to his bride in a classic black tux and matching succulent boutonnière.

We kicked off with portraits in front of Alpharetta City Hall, where the Christmas decorations that were still up added festive cheer on the cold, cold, cold December day.  We love the expressions on their faces captured in the first look.  We snapped shots of veils caught in the wind, bridesmaids huddling for warmth, and so many smiles.  Golden hour, while only lasting a few short minutes, was absolutely perfect setting to capture the final portraits of the bride and groom.

And, just when we thought it couldn’t get any better… Anna and Chris stunned the room with their first dance.  There were dips, and twirls, and lifts but more importantly smiles and adoring gazes.  After all they just got married!  The dance floor was full the entire night, the only time it was clear was when the crowd stopped to listen to the father of the bride’s speech.

Thankfulness.

As the year came to a close,  Anna’s dad toasted the newlyweds, his message was one of thankfulness. For a wonderful daughter, for his loving and caring son-in-law, and for a life that had brought them all together in happiness and joy. It was a powerful speech, and after watching Anna and Chris dance, laugh, and love together throughout the day it was clear to all just how thankful they were.

His speech made us think of our own year. All of the joy and love we had seen. Close friends recently married, starting their own families and setting down roots. We were able to stand at the altar as Isaac’s little sister married a wonderful, wonderful man. And that’s just the beginning of the joy of others that we are thankful for. This past September, we embarked on our own adventure into marriage. And while the last four years have been nothing short of incredible, somehow this one topped them all. As we embark on this new phase of life, and look back on all that we are thankful for, our excitement for the adventures ahead is boundless.

Cheers to 2018!

 

 

 

 

Thank you, Matt and Patty (another awesome husband and wife team) for letting us start of 2018 with fireworks!