For two days, I have been trying/wanting to do a blog recap of 2011. Such a fabulous year. So here we go. A proper goodbye.

The year started with a wedding that reminded me of why I even do what I do. The bride warmed my heart in a way that made me feel like Wes and I are exactly where we are suppose to be. She challenged me to love deep & not take any moment for granted. Oh, I loved loved this couple.

I also shot a vintage wedding of a couple who loved each other to the tips of their fingers and toes. This bride was a classic beauty. The kind of girl who can take your breath away and she has no idea. I wish she lived here in Florence so she could be my best friend forever.

Speaking of Best Friends, some of ours got married this fall…. on a sweet fall day. Tears & joy were prominent. We couldn’t have been happier for two people. This blog was soo good it took 2 parts. Part 1. Part 2.

But before they tied the knot, we traveled abroad to witness vows that will forever change how we view wedding vows. I cry every time I hear them. This couple stood at the ends of the earth and promised themselves to each other in one of the sweetest ceremonies I may ever witness.

On September 24th, a dream Wes Wages had came true. A couple received a Perfect Wedding. A wedding donated by some of the best Shoals Vendors and hosted by No’Ala Magazine. Wes wanted to give away a wedding bigger than us… and he made it happen. This couple won out against 4o other couples to win this free* wedding. And the only word that could be used to describe it is…. Perfect.

I will NEVER forget our back to back adventure, driving from Jacksonville, Florida through the night to Florence, Alabama to have a double wedding extravaganza. These two weddings are the next to be blogged. I didn’t know if the stress of the trip would be worth it honestly, but both couples brought the sweetest tears to my eyes & made my heart so full. I will never ever forget these two couples. I cannot wait to share them with you.

This is the year that we didn’t have a SINGLE wedding rained on. It rained one morning in August, but was clear before photos even started. Believe it or not, I pray for weather for your wedding just as hard as you do. And this year… all of our prayers combined were answered. This was one of the weddings I prayed extra hard for. This outdoor intimate ceremony just wouldn’t have been the same without the sun.

Oh, and in August a little boy was born that changed the way I view birth & marriage. I documented this miracle & will never be the same. If you haven’t seen this video…. it is my favorite piece of work I have ever done. Watch it & be excited for the day you too will be parents…. or remember what it felt like the first time you held your bundle of love.

Another adventure, Wes & I started this year was shooting large events nation wide. We travelled from Portland, Oregon, to New York City listening to entrepreneurs share their passion and advice to help other people pursue their passion. We documented events that helped change lives in a totally different way from what we see on Saturdays. It was challenging for us to take things to the next level.

As for personal adventures, Wes & I fell so in love this past year. We followed each other across the States & backpacked Ireland trusting each other that we wouldn’t ever loose sight of what we have together. I couldn’t be more proud of the man that God gave me to love. He rocked 2011. And I am so excited for what he is already scheming up for 12′

Now that we are on 2012, I will let you know that you will get to follow us on another adventure! Tickets are booked & Armosa is taking Thailand & Japan in April! Thailand is the number one place I have wanted to travel… which is a little strange, but it is my dream. And dreams are coming true this year. For us & for you. Take the step & make it happen.

Haha… and for Caesar, if you ask him what the best part of his year was, it was when his friend Weagle got a food allergy & had to give Ces his big box of treats! Caesar has been in heaven ever since. Here are Weagle’s parents right before they had their beautiful baby.

We can’t wait to see where this road takes us. We have a lot of exciting things in store. One thing being we want to do a Q&A with y’all starting soon! We are so excited for this year! And hope you stay tuned! Thanks for joining the ride!

Happy New Year from the Wages.

Be Happy and Love each other,

T

Merry Christmas everyone!!! I hope you hearts are full of love & joy on this perfect day! Today we celebrate the deepest love of all. The love of our Savior!

I wanted to share a snippet of my surprise gift from my love! Wes Wages contacted my favorite photographer Gabriel Ryan and asked him to do a shoot of us this past week while we were in Los Angeles. When he told me I completely freaked out with excitement. I have followed Gabriel’s blog for about 3 and a half years now. Right after he and his lovely bride Carlie got married and started their own business. I fell in love with this couple and was over the moon to have them photograph us! Best gift idea ever! So I couldn’t wait to show you just a few! I am so thankful for this Christmas gift that I will be able to have forever.

Remember the first giveaway, I urged you to do your special session! Do it! I am so thankful that I did mine! 

This describes it. Love.

And now without further ado. We will announce the winner of a very special Christmas gift! We announce the first winner through video, we thought it be appropriate to announce the last! Congratulations!

Be Happy and Love each other.

T

Thank you all who have entered our month of giveaways! It has certainly been fun!

I am happy to announce that with your help we were able to donate enough money for 2 water filters for Nicole’s Samaritan purse goal. I am so excited. But I will be honest. I am a little disappointed. I had hoped we could do more, but I am thankful for the faithfulness for those of you who did participate. Luckily, you will be added double time to this entry if you enter again! And this is one you definitely don’t want to miss.

One of mine & Wes’ favorite things is to get away. haha.. I know what you are thinking. Yes, we love to travel. But honestly, one of our favorite times of the year is when we go up and spend the night in Nashville. No agenda, no meetings, nothing but us enjoying each other. And that is what we want to give you.

One night at Aloft Hotel in Nashville , Dinner at Bricktops with two movie tickets, and breakfast at our most favorite breakfast spot (actually where we ate the morning after our wedding) Monell’s. A perfect* date away!

What do I want to know?

Who are you taking away for the night? Why do you want take them?

Here is a photo of Wes and I on one of our very first photo dates with each other. Hanging out at the Parthenon in Nashville. It was the perfect date day with the man I loved… and he finally loved me too. And this day, I knew it.

Merry Christmas everyone. And thank you again for all of the love.

Be Happy and Love each other.

T

*gas and baby sitter not included.

First I want to thank you all for entering the Anthropologie giveaway! I loved reading about some of the unique gifts you have received And I am excited to announce today’s winner is….

Jessica Simpson

Thank random.org for selecting comment number 10!

Todays giveaway is a bit different from the last few. It is still a giveaway… but it isn’t for you.

Let me explain.

For the last 2 years, Nicole Vinson has faithfully been following our blog and commenting. We have had the chance to get to know her a little through this internet friendship. She, too, is a blogger. She blogs about faith and living a life as an example of Christ. I love the name of it… Bloom where you are planted. She has guest bloggers who tell their story and offer an encouraging or challenging word. She is also a lover of travel & love… so you get some of that goodness as well. But overall she has a heart for people.

This holiday season, she wanted to give back. She challenged her readers to help her raise money for clean water filters to families who are in need through the Samaritan’s Purse. Her goal is to give 10 water filter’s that cost $100 each. You can read more about her project here.

Because this season is more about giving than receiving, Wes and I thought it would be awesome if this weeks gift was to help someone else in need. So this is what we are doing.

I want to hear what you are thankful for this holiday season.

I am thankful for the health of all of my family members. Cliché right? But as I get older and I watch my grandparents get older, every single holiday I have them all here with me is truly a gift. I am a grandparent’s girl, so they mean the WORLD to me. I am also thankful for y’all. Giving Wes and I the opportunity to give is truly a blessing. I am so so thankful for each day I get to do what I love.

So for every comment. Wes & I will donate $5 to Nicole’s cause. For every new facebook & twitter follower we will donate $1. You have until 9pm on the 19th to comment. And if you comment on this blog, you are given double the chance of winning our very last gift announced on the 20th. It is going to be awesome. Truly one of mine & Wes’ favorite things. And no, it is not Caesar Wages ;)

This is a photo of us with Nicole! We finally got to meet her on Tuesday!! It was so great to meet someone so passionate and full of joy! She is doing things to change lives! And I want to help her!

Give back!

Jessica, send me an email with your address through our contact page, and I’ll put your gift right in the mail!

Be happy and love each other.
T

There is so much I can say about this wedding. To sum it up, I will say that it is one that I will hold in my heart for a long time.

Point number one. Smiling. If my mom had been sitting here while I was editing & looking at the photos, she would have said, “I love a happy bride” Probably 100 times. This day was all about smiles. Happiness. Joy.

Point number two.  Family. This family truly opened my eyes to what role a family is suppose to play in weddings. It isn’t just about the bride, or even the bride & groom, but it is about two families becoming one as they give their child to someone else. Both sets of parents were at every.single.shoot. I have never had a mother of the groom at a meeting before, and it warmed my heart that she played such an invested role. Courtney is now her daughter, just as much as Lance is her son. Love.

Point number three. Alice. When I am a mom, I hope that I am as happy as Alice. That day she was there taking care of everyone. Laughing, and having a great time. She made me feel like a guest, like a friend, like a part of the family. She brings such warmth to my heart. I smile every time I think of her.

Point number four. Editing. If you would have been looking at me through the window of 222 while I edited this wedding, you probably would have thought I was bipolar. One minute I was smiling so big that my mouth physically hurt. The next minute I was swiping tears from my eyes. To say this wedding brought me joy is a huge understatement.

Point number five. Love. There is no doubt in my mind that Courtney and Lance are very best friends. The best of best. I have never seen a bride and groom celebrate their marriage with such joyous giggles with each other. The groom was giggling. I was honored to watch it. I am so so happy for you both. You are finally one. I hope you enjoy your sneak peak of this perfect perfect day. Love.

Can we please talk for a minute about how beautiful Courtney is? Wow. I love how natural she looked, and how soft and classic. Absolutely gorgeous. 

Some of my favorite flowers ever. 

Courtney’s brother stood next to her as she got married. I LOVE this. 

Love.

Courtney’s dad built this gazebo by looking at a photograph he took. It was magical. When Courtney and Lance get settled in their future home it will go in their back yard. I can imagine their daughter playing wedding with it. Oh, love. 

Yes, that is a ring pop. haha. 

Be sure and enter our Jolly Christmas giveaway below!

Be Happy and Love each other!

T