A Christmas Wedding // David & Lindsay's Winter Wedding

There is a quote by Dietrich Bonhoeffer that I like to share with all my friends who are getting married. He says, "It is not your love that sustains the marriage, but from now on, the marriage which sustains your love".

It's a quote that I think nicely summarizes what the vows spoken at the altar mean and it's that sentiment that David and Lindsay take so seriously. I have no doubt that they will weather all the storms of life just fine because they have a wonderful support system and they have their faith. I am so excited to see how their marriage shows Christ to the world!

Where do I even start? I've known Lindsay and her family for years; really my whole life since we attend the same church and she's older than me. We didn't know each other well until just a couple of years ago when our church was trying to start up a young adult program. I do remember though, as I was starting high school and she was finishing, we overlapped in youth group for the summer and she (and another girl who was one of her bridesmaids) was so kind and welcoming to me. I will never forget that. Until the young adult group, I actually knew her next oldest sibling better, as he was one of my youth leaders!

David and his family had apparently been attending our church for much longer than I knew, about five or so years, but we only met him maybe two years ago? Time blurs together. Somehow he started sitting with us for dinner and church services during Advent and Lent. He and my dad would talk engineering things and various projects they were working on. David has a million hobbies and ended up talking blacksmithing and archery with my brother.

Way back in June, when we were talking about doing their engagement photos, I told Lindsay that I was not a wedding photographer. A few months later, after Sunday School, she says she needs to talk to me and proceeds to ask if I'll photograph their wedding!!! She told me that all they cared about where the family portraits and that anything else I did or didn't get was totally fine. She asked if I'd think about it and I told her I would.

Fast forward a bit and I went to second shoot with my neighbor who is a wedding photographer, just to get the feel of an actual wedding day. In the course of that day, she offered to come second shoot for me!!! Well that sealed the deal. If I could have her there with me, I was willing to do the wedding.

In some ways, it was not a traditional wedding day (two different receptions, no dances) but it was very nice and I loved how it was a group effort. Lindsay has a very large family and they took on a lot of duties. David's mom did the shower and reception, at the very least, and probably more. I haven't been to many weddings in my life, but I can't imagine a more relaxed couple who just could go with the flow. I really and truly believe that they just wanted to spend this special day with their family and friends and weren't going to let anything get in the way of that.

I think I know why some couples do the pouring of sand nowadays instead of a unity candle. This candle would not light! David and Lindsay laughed it off and I got some great photos. Like I said, they just rolled with everything. David said later, "we've overcome our first obstacle as a married couple".

Lindsay will laugh and smile more than David but David has a quiet sense of humor. He can say something that will make everyone else laugh and he can do it with practically a straight face or just a small smile.

During the toasts, Lindsay's sisters talked about how, from childhood, she has been so compassionate and thinking of others. I've seen her kindness and her fun side. Her sisters said that what they noticed quickly was how her self Lindsay was around David. Their wedding coordinator said that Lindsay has brought out a new side of David that she'd never seen before. I think that it is so cool to hear how they compliment each other like that.

I'm sure I could go on and on but I need to end this post at some point. David and Lindsay, I'm honored that you trusted me with your special day and I hope these photos bring you back to the feelings you had and the promises you made on this day in the years to come. May God bless your marriage as you keep your eyes fixed on Him!


*I have to say a huge "thank you" to Kai Davis of Kai Davis Photography for coming to shoot the ceremony with me. She lifted a ton of stress off my shoulders and captured some beautiful images that I would not have been able to get on my own.