Amanda + Jesse

Amanda and Jesse were married in the beginning of June, with all of their closest friends and family surrounding them and showering them with love.

I first met Amanda and Jesse through an old job I used to have - Amanda and I worked on the same team, and I actually spent a few weeks training her when she was hired. At first meeting, I would have never thought that she would become such an irreplaceable person in my life - and I also would have never guessed I'd be capturing her love story!

Jesse and Amanda met around 7 years ago via a dating app. While Amanda's dad (who lives outside of the country) wasn't super keen on the idea of his only daughter hooking up with "some guy" she found on the internet, he put his trust into his daughter. He knew that she was brought up to be cautious and to trust her gut. Jesse and Amanda spent months exchanging letters to one another, since they were in separate states. (She lived in Illinois at the time, and he was in Ohio). Before long, they decided to give it a try - and that "try" turned into one of the most rewarding relationships I've had the pleasure of witnessing.

Fast forward a few years, and Amanda decides it's time to move closer to the love of her life. She packed everything up (including her little fur-babies) and moved 6 hours away to Ohio to begin chasing her dreams - which started with getting engaged to Jesse. Forty-one days after she moved, Jesse got down on one knee and popped the question! Surrounded by their OH friends, they celebrated and began planning their big day.

One year later, Amanda spent the morning of her wedding getting ready with her cousins - who flew in from Switzerland - and just soaked in the feeling that she was finally getting to marry her person. Every time I looked at her, she was smiling. Even when there was a change in the ceremony plans (thanks to a potential chance of rain, their outdoor ceremony was moved indoors) she was still smiling and laughing - knowing that in the end, she'd be married!

You can tell just in the way these two look at one another that their love story was planned well before anyone else knew. God had it in His plans that Amanda and Jesse were to be together and be married, and I can't wait to see what else God has planned for this amazing couple.

One of my favorite moments from their day was during their reception - Instead of a First Dance with one another, they decided to sing a song that means so much to them . They sung a shortened version of The Blessing, and when I tell you that I sung along with them while photographing - It's amazing no one else heard me!

Amanda and Jesse, your love is so strong, and I can't wait to see what God has planned for the two of you! :)

Venue: The Beverly Mansion

Catering: The Beverly Mansion

DJ: Benji - Family Friend

Florals: DIY

HAMU: Amanda did it herself!!!

Dress: Wendy's Bridal

Signage: Canva