During their vows, Julie remarked that being a strong woman means she doesn't need a man, followed by, "But I need this man." When Billy read his, he turned to their guests and was direct in sharing about his anxiety, acknowledging that their wedding almost didn't happen because of the crippling side effects. He wasn't only bearing his heart but speaking hope to anyone in the room who shared those struggles. Many of their guests looked back at him with tears in their eyes. I photographed through mine.

Julie and Billy met on the first day of their sophomore year in college when a group of mutual friends planned a day of bridge jumping. Julie was immediately smitten, but the feelings were not mutual then. I'm always heartened to hear honest accounts of origin stories. When the time is right, I look forward to sharing with my children how Mama and Dada's relationship wasn't a "love-at-first-sight" fairy tale; ours grew at a pace that worked for us both.

For Julie and Billy, a close frienship quickly formed and they became staples in each other's college ecosystems. Their romance began eight years after they met.

Getting to know them before the wedding, Billy told me Julie makes people feel comfortable, understood, and heard. I learned that Billy deeply loves and cares about his closest friends and isn't afraid to show them love and affection.

As I hugged them both goodbye at the end of the night, Billy told me, "I hope you know you're a good person, Chris."

Thank you, Billy, and thank you both for a seat at the table.

Rehearsal Dinner: The Hopkins Inn
Location: Lion Rock Farm
Planning + Design: Wildflower Events & Design
Floral: Sarah Worden Natural Designs
Decor: Kadeema Rentals
Tabletop Rentals: Borrowed Blu
Tabletop Rentals: Table Method
Tabletop Rentals: Nuage Designs
Tenting: Events Unlimited
Bride & Groom Hair: Danielle Kohler Hair
Bride Makeup: Upstyle Co.
Video: KS Media Productions
Behind The Scenes (Video): The Lucky Share
Entertainment: The Big Mix - Vali Entertainment
Catering: Hunt and Harvest
Lighting: Vivid Events
Printed Materials: Color Quarry