Wedding Date: June 9th 2023

I’ve found that each couple has their own unique way of saying “I love you.” Sometimes it’s little gestures, a certain look, or a little phrase. For Audrey and Garrison, it’s simply saying “hi.” I met this sweet pair at the Grand View Lodge wedding fair and we instantly hit it off. They wanted to get married somewhere near the water so you really can’t choose a better place than Grand View. After talking, they decided to hire one of my dear friends, Tim Long, as their videographer so I was even more excited to spend this amazing day with a good friend alongside this fun crew.

I met up with Audrey the morning of their wedding where she was just putting on the finishing touches before getting ready to show off her look to her bridesmaids. They were all excitedly waiting outside trying to catch a glimpse of her through the windows. They all screamed and gasped as she walked through the doors and naturally had a bottle of champagne waiting with her name on it. As the girls celebrated upstairs, I joined Garrison where he was just finishing tying his tie. “Do you want to see something?” He asked me with a smirk. Then he showed me his tie where a little “hi” had been placed. It was such a sweet nod to their relationship it instantly made my heart melt a bit.

Knowing their love for the lakes, I walked Audrey out to the end of the dock so they could have their first look surrounded by water. Garrison beamed from ear to ear as he walked out the doors and saw her standing there in the sunlight. I could barely keep up as he hurried to meet her at the end of the dock, giving her a huge hug and then both laughing. There’s no doubt in my mind that these two are made for each other. The way they can say so much in a single glance, a single movement, a single word.

We all decided to jump on the boat before the ceremony started and go out for a little victory lap. They laughed and we cruised through the water with the wind blowing through their hair. Back on land, their crew was ready and waiting to celebrate the pair, so when we docked, they were there with open arms to greet them. But the time quickly passed and all of the guests were taking their seats, so we made our way back to the Lodge for the big moment to begin. Garrison took his place at the end of the aisle and watched as their bridal party walked down the grand staircase one after another. But then at the top of the stairs, Audrey emerged and waved a quiet “hi.” Her brother officiated the ceremony and made it so personal and sweet. At one point he got a little choked up and everyone instantly started crying happy tears of love and joy. It was filled with so many emotions and the biggest of which was love. He knew Garrison was the one for his baby sister and it showed.

Three pontoons were ready and waiting for the couple and their friends as soon as they marched down the aisle. They all boarded and took the party to the water. They sprayed champagne, clinked glasses, and hugged one another and laughed just for the excitement of it all. We tied the boats together and had our own little mini celebration on the water as the sun started to sink in the sky. Then we made our way back to shore and joined the cocktail hour already in progress.

Their reception was held in the Norwary Center and was the perfect setting for cozy toasts and stories that made the entire room erupt into laughter. As the party continued on, I stole the pair away for a little night stroll and to our surprise we were met with a light rain shower. This didn’t stop them for one second and instead grabbed an umbrella and happily strolled into the rain. They kissed as the rain fell and looked more like falling stars as the drops were illuminated by the lights from the Lodge behind them. We could hear the waves on the shore and the raindrops hitting the ground and other than that, the silent night air seemed to be alive for them alone. As I took the last frame of the night with them pressed together under one umbrella, I saw them quietly say “hi.”

Vendors: Grand View Lodge (venue), Terra Bella Floral (florist), Tim Long (videographer), Jenny Yoo (dress designer), Flutter Bridal Co (dress boutique), Indochino (suit), Natalie Hoover (hair and makeup), Bellagala (dj)