Kristen and Chris’s teal and gray wedding at Jennette’s Pier in Nags Head, North Carolina was full of classic beauty adorned with crisp ivory florals. Weddings always portray the feeling of romance as two lives are joined together, but this wedding really stood out. Not only was it a stunningly beautiful beach and pier setting, it also left an indelible impression of the importance of marriage, family and friendship. The endearing moments on this day were priceless.
However, before I share about those moments, I have to tell you how their story began. Kristen and Chris met during Beach Week in 2011. For those of you who don’t know, Beach Week is a celebration of graduating high school seniors where students from all over Hampton Roads converge on the Outer Banks, North Carolina. They both happened to be down there with friends. While at a party, she noticed him across the room (cue romantic music). Kristen thought that Chris looked familiar, then realized that he was a friend of her best friend’s boyfriend. They soon began to get to know one another as they double dated that summer with her best friend and her boyfriend (Chris’s friend). On September 28, 2011, Chris asked her to officially be his girlfriend. Exactly 7 years later, on the same date they decided to be in a relationship, they married in the Outer Banks- the place where their lives began. (Sounds just about like a romantic movie, right?)
When I asked what marriage meant to them, they said this: “…the commitment of marriage means becoming a family. It means decisions are no longer made with just yourself in mind. It means having a partner to share life with, knowing you have the most important person on your team, always. It’s comfort, safety, security. It’s plans and dreams of the future together. It means to always love, to always trust, and to always make that person feel treasured.” These beautiful words were manifested in the details, the ceremony, and in the presence of family and friends on their wedding day.
When I arrived to the bride’s beach house, it was absolutely pouring down a monsoon amount of rain. Even though we had a rain plan, crazy rain like that can produce panic about the details of the day. This couple and their families were so calm, though. They just kept everything in perspective, remembering the reason they were all going to Jennette’s Pier. Ultimately, as much as I adore taking beautiful pictures, gorgeous details do not ensure a beautiful marriage relationship. Investing in your relationship with your spouse and your families, however, will definitely have a positive effect on your marriage. This is what Kristen and Chris are about.
I loved how the bride and groom included their families as they got ready. These are moments and traditions that will be shared with future generations. The bride’s mother, Karen, helped Kristen with the finishing touches of getting ready, which included lacing up the back of her lovely wedding gown and placing the veil, made with tulle from the veil Karen wore on her own wedding day, on Kristen’s head. Meanwhile, the groom’s grandfather helped him with his tie as they conversed and spent time together in the hours before the ceremony.
The skies became clear less than an hour before the ceremony began. I was so happy that they were able to proceed with the wedding outside on the pier. The ceremony overlooked the green waters of the Atlantic Ocean, with the wind whipping. Guests could see what seemed like miles of pier in front of them. After a lovely ukulele prelude, the bridal party began to walk down the aisle. When Kristen approached the threshold of the door to walk down the aisle, the joy was palpable. Her two brothers, representing their late father, proudly walked their sister down the aisle to give her away to her groom. Kristen just beamed as she made eye contact with Chris. There they were, exactly 7 years later, ready to commit the rest of their lives together- a love story coming full circle. During the ceremony, they used a plant to symbolize the joining of two people and their families together. My favorite part, though was the smiles on their faces after their first kiss as husband and wife. Y’all, they were glowing! They were all smiles as they recessed up the aisle, hand in hand. I have no doubt that they will have an incredible marriage. Best wishes, Kristen and Chris!
*See vendors at end of blog post.
Vendors:
Venue: Jennette’s Pier
Planner: Shelby White
Caterer: Sugar Creek Catering
Cake: Deb Wright
Flowers: M&M Flowers Virginia
Wedding Gown: Morilee by Madeline Gardner
Bridesmaids Dresses: Lulu’s Show Me Your Mumu
Hair and Make-up Artist: Glimmer Hair and Make-Up OBX
Rentals: Metro Rental
Video: Delta Studios