The lights were dimmed low. The penthouse of The Old Post Office was illuminated by the soft glow of the candles. The music softly hummed in the background. And the chatter in the room slowly started to fade to a whisper. Loren's dad gripped the microphone and looked over his notes. Everyone cheered him on as he took his place behind the bride and groom. And as he began to speak, the room fell quiet, filled with anticipation. What followed was a beautiful rollercoaster of emotions – one moment, everyone was wiping away happy tears, and the next, they were roaring with laughter. He looked at Loren. He looked at Todd. And then, he paused. With the most heartfelt sincerity, he shared his love for them both, and you could just feel the pride and emotion radiating from him. If my ability to paraphrase is decent, I won't totally botch this. He spoke about how, in life, you always want to have that one person who becomes the heartbeat of the family, the one who sits at the center of the dinner table. The one who keeps the conversations going, who challenges you in all the best ways, whose fire and love for life are simply unexplainable. And for their family, that person had always been Loren. It was such a touching moment, and I swear, there wasn’t a dry eye in the room. Loren's smile slowly spread across her face before she dabbed at her eyes with a napkin, glancing from her dad to Todd with the most loving gaze. It was emotional and one of the best parts of a speech I've ever heard. (Not me causally slipping this into future speeches I have to give, hahaha).
And you know what? Loren's dad was absolutely right. Loren and Todd are without a doubt the kind of people you want sitting at the center of every gathering. They’re the ones who welcome everyone with open arms, whose joy is contagious, and who love so deeply that it’s impossible not to feel it in every moment spent with them. Chatting with them feels so natural, like you've been friends forever. And being with them feels like home, like you're exactly where you're supposed to be. I learned very early on during their engagement session that Loren and Todd are truly special. They have this undeniable chemistry that shines just as bright as the sun. Their connection is so genuine. They love each other with all of their hearts and then some... the then some overflows onto everyone around them. Loren and Todd bring out the best in each other. They challenge one another, know what the other is thinking in an instant, and genuinely bring one another so much joy. I swear both of them beamed from ear to ear all day as soon as they saw each other during their first look. Watching their love unfold was pure magic. It was like witnessing a storybook come to life, where every glance, every smile, and every touch spoke volumes. It was the kind of love that makes you pause and just take it all in. And listening to her dad's speech was such a beautiful reminder of what it means to be loved and to love with your whole heart. It was a reminder that love is about being present with one another, about celebrating every little moment, and embracing the journey with all its ups and downs. His proud and loving words showed that it's not just about the big moments, but the tiny ones too that build something beautiful and lasting. And that's exactly what Loren and Todd are doing. Building such a beautiful, loving life together!
Okay Loren and Todd... are you sick of me yet? Because I'm just getting started. Haha, just kidding. I can obviously write a novel about the love you share and how epically perfect your wedding day was. But instead, I'm just going to say thank you. Thank you for sharing your story with me. Thank you for blessing me with the opportunity to capture your precious moments and watch our friendship blossom into what it is today. Thank you for simply being you. For sharing your laughter in the silly moments and being vulnerable in the emotional ones. Thank you for the gentle nudge you and your family gave me to love with a whole heart. To open myself up to the magic of connection and to embrace everyone I care about with everything I have. Remember, I wanted to coin "The Loren". The epitome of what it means to love fiercely and frequently. Man, I just adore you two and truly cannot wait to see where this beautiful life takes you!
Vendors:
Venue: The Old Post Office
Planning: Mack Wedding Design
Pastor: Kelly Skiles - Soul City Church
Florals: Kloeckner Preferred Flowers
Beauty: Blush and Braids Beauty Bar
Gown: The Wedding Shoppe
Shoes: Badgley Mischka
Suit: Jurgens & Holtvluwer Menswear
Rings: Orin Jewelers
Bridesmaid Dresses: BHLDN | Reformation | Azazie
Invitation Suite: The Knot
Catering: Butter & Vine
