Wedding Date: August 20th 2023

When I first met Shelby and Kevin I knew I was meeting a very special pair. Shelby had taken the brave leap and moved from China to live in the US with her cousin. She created a close knit bond with her US family and friends while still staying connected to everyone in China. It takes a special person to be able to balance these distances so perfectly and Shelby impressed me from our very first conversation. Kevin is her perfect compliment. He is kind and sweet and you can tell with one glance just how much he loves her and how much she loves him. These two are simply meant to be together.

When I drove up to the Edward Anne Estate at Bavaria Downs, the sun was shining and it looked like the perfect day for a wedding. They chose this fairytale location and their love story and Shelby’s dress certainly fit the part, she looked like a princess! After lovingly putting the final touches on her look, she was ready to show her family and of course, Kevin. I walked with him to the fountain where he nervously and excitedly waited to hear her footsteps behind him. She watched from the balcony above with a huge smile on her face before making her way outside to meet us. Family and friends took her place on the balcony so they could have a good view of their first look. Shelby emerged from the estate, took a deep breath, and they both smiled in unison as she walked toward him. They embraced each other as their onlookers from the balcony wiped happy tears from their eyes. But it was all smiles and laughter down here! They couldn’t stop smiling and could barely take their eyes off of each other. Like I said, a perfect day for a wedding!

After we were joined by their wedding party and family for some group photos, we retreated back inside while the guests were seated for the ceremony. The sun was shining bright and the blue sky made for a picture perfect outdoor ceremony. After walking down the aisle, Kevin turned his back to the audience before Shelby walked toward him. Once she reached the seated guests, he turned around for an emotional and powerful reveal. Guests could barely hold back tears as the pair was once again reunited. They exchanged their vows and then both mothers cut a small piece of hair from Kevin and Shelby and put it somewhere safe. Their loved ones cheered as they were pronounced husband and wife and walked down the aisle, laughing and showing off their rings as they went.

They were greeted by even louder cheers and applause as they entered the reception. They quickly took to the dance floor and elegantly gilded together in front of the large picture windows to the delight of everyone watching. They twirled and Kevin dipped Shelby as if they were professional dancers performing at centerstage. After the applause settled and dinner was served, everyone was treated to sweet and personal toasts honoring the newlyweds. From laughter to wiping away tears, you could feel the love radiating from everyone in attendance. They shared a few more sweet family dances before Shelby changed into her beautiful red dress. They wowed the crowd once more and everyone said they looked like movie stars! I took the famous pair outside for some fun and dramatic night photos before they returned to the party. But lucky for these two, this is just the beginning! They are holding their part 2 wedding in China and we couldn’t be happier for them.

Vendor: Bavaria Downs (venue), Annie Cronin (wedding planner), Festivities (florist and decor), D'amico (catering), Buttercream (cake), Vick Photography Crazy Cam (photo booth), Bellagala (dj and videographer), Galia Lahav (dress designer), Indocino (suit), Sandy Xiong (makeup), Bridget Cronin (hair)