Bitter Sweet....

The "Bitter"....

About two months ago we found out Steven was going to be stationed in South Korea for a year and leaving in Jan. 

After a long conversation with us and his parents, Destine' and Steven decided to get married before he leaves. 

He wanted to make sure she was taken care of while he was away and if something (anything, even as simple as a sprained ankle) 

were to happen they won't call her or even talk to her without them being married. 

They decided on a very small ceremony with just immediate family. 

They are still going ahead with their dream wedding at the beach in 2016 as they had originally planned and are hoping that everyone will join them.

Save the dates will be going out in the next few months.

She is really looking forward to having the whole family at the beach

for an amazing Beach Party Wedding.

They kept it low key and "social media black out" until they were comfortable with slowly and subtly letting people know. 

Of course this has been a very crazy emotional time for us as a family. 

Please keep Steven in your prayers. 

We are going to keep Destine' busy with graduating school this may and planning their dream wedding at the Beach.

Our normal daily phone calls and maybe a few surprise family visits to UNCW to keep her company.

Since we only had a month, we had to plan fast.

Perfectly planned down to every detail, 

with subtle hints of each of their personalities, it was

according to our bride and groom

 the "perfect" wedding.

The "Sweet"...

Aunt Missy (her god mother) was put in charge of her makeup.

Destine' requested smokey eyes, which required the help of a you tube video.

and some scotch tape to get the defined line.

Time for a few special touches.

Her dress is something new which I made a special weekend trip to UNCW to search for.

These special moments really are amazing.

Whenever I have the chance I love making memories with my baby girl.

Her Mommas pearls for something old

(pearls that were collected over my childhood years on special occasions 

and made into a necklace that I wore at my wedding).

For her something blue,

Her Mommas sapphire and diamond bracelet 

that her dad gave to me on our first wedding anniversary.

and for her borrowed.

Her Mommas crown also worn at my wedding.

Kisses for my baby girl on her wedding day.

I loved every moment/memory of her special day.

Very proud Dad.

Look at my handsome Son in Law.

The reveal

They were so happy that Steven's parents Joan and Steve were able to make the trip from TX.

And Steven's brother Matt could come up from FL.

The shoe reveal.

Steven's sister Christine custom designs shoes.

Every detail was perfect.

We are so blessed to be a part of this wonderful family.

We have always treated Steven as part of our family.

It is wonderful for it to be official.

We could not be more proud and elated that 

Destine' found such a kind, gentle, caring, loving, strong, courageous, brave young man 

to share the rest of life with.

As she waits for Mom to check the images, she didn't know I was still clicking.

She's beautiful even when she's yawning.

I could not be more proud of this special girl.

I can not express my thanks to my cousin Lori.

She really brought everything together with her decorations and flowers.

Destine' does not love flowers but felt something would be missing with out them.

Lori made her beautiful flowers in her Captain America colors.

It was the perfect touch.

Very unique and just what Des was picturing.

Cinderella going terribly wrong but fixed with Destine' new Mother in Law helping out.

Destine' wanted special pictures with his boots and her weight lifting shoes.

It just speaks to their personalities.

Off to the ceremony...

Her siblings adore Steven.

So much so that they now call Sissy's room Steven's room because he spent the week there when he was recovering from his surgery.

Sissy doesn't find it as funny as we do.

A few better views of Destine's special custom shoes.

Along with our theme.

A little token of thanks for all her guests.

Proud Parents

Proud Parents

As a special request from the bride and groom.

Steven's dad is going to officiate the ceremony on the Beach 2016.

Destine' special requested that her Dad not only walk her down the isle at the beach but to also officiate as this wedding.

Of course he was honored.

After doing the required work and receiving his certificate, 

I am proud to day my hubby can now add officiate to his resume. 

It was a very touching devotion.

Not a dry eye in the house as the officiant (also known as "the bald guy at the door")

expressed his appreciation and the meaning of also being called Dad. 

Steven could not wait to put this name tag on.

A surprise dedication for the groom.

"unconditionally"

We headed back to the Webb Zoo for Champagne and Cake.

I could not have pulled this off with out Lori.

When they walked in the candles and decorations were beautiful.

Lori did an amazing job, the atmosphere was perfect.

Hand made by Lori lovely center pieces.

To be fair, Steven asked me if he was supposed to smash cake.

I told him he didn't have to. However, if he were thinking about it, this was the wedding to take advantage of. 

It seems fitting to end with "happily ever after" as their beginning.

This was a huge event in our Family and we could not be happier for these two.

They deserve an incredible future.

We are looking forward to sharing in their happiness with all of you at the 

Beach Wedding 2016

*I must add a special thank you to my friend Katie. 

She made it possible for me to enjoy the ceremony and actually be in the moment of my daughters wedding and not watching it through the lens.

She took all the pictures at the restaurant. 

It was a grand opportunity to be apart of the memories and not the one capturing them.

Don't get me wrong, I love capturing these important memories/moments.

But I love being in these moments with my children even more.

Thank You Katie for being there and giving me this priceless gift.