Anna and Ryan’s wedding at Founders Hall in Charleston was nothing short of legendary. From the moment the day began, there was an energy to it…the kind that tells you something special is about to happen.

Before the ceremony, they decided to do things a little differently. After their first look, portraits, and some family photos, they hosted a pre-ceremony cocktail hour where they mingled with guests, laughing and enjoying the moment. Then, instead of walking in separately, they entered the ceremony hand in hand, smiling side by side, and walked one another down the aisle. It was such a personal and joyful touch that felt completely true to them. The ceremony was emotional and full of heart. Anna cried, and everyone felt it.

But the reception? That was next-level. Ryan, who plays in a handful of bands, basically turned the entire evening into a music festival. Motown Throwdown kicked things off, and from there, friend after friend stepped up and took the stage. Each one brought something different, and all of them were insanely talented musicians. Ryan even performed a few songs himself, including one he wrote for Anna. It was epic, heartfelt, and hands down one of the most unforgettable receptions I’ve ever photographed. Shoutout to Katie Jean Events for keeping the whole day running flawlessly.

I’ll never forget the atmosphere of this day. From the emotion of the ceremony to the music-filled celebration that followed, Anna and Ryan’s wedding was the kind of experience that reminds me why I love what I do.

The story of how they met is every bit as special as the day itself. Anna shared:

"Ryan and I met over a decade ago by chance. Or maybe it was fate? I drove some friends to Oxford, Mississippi that October weekend for the Auburn vs. Ole Miss football game, and Ryan was in town to play a couple gigs with one of his bands. After an absolutely crushing loss, my friend made plans for us to go out that night. Little did I know that meant getting snuck into a private party (trampled through mud to be let in the back door and all) where Ryan’s band was playing. My first comment was 'at least the band is cute,' given the less-than-ideal way the day had gone so far. I spent most of the night on the dance floor, catching eye contact with Ryan whenever possible. As they were playing the last notes of the last song, Ryan unstrapped his bass guitar, jumped off stage, and walked right up to me to introduce himself. It felt like magic in that moment.

We got breakfast the next morning at a little café before I drove back to Auburn. We didn’t see each other again for 5 years. From the day we met, the seed of 'what if' was planted in both of us. We kept in touch over the years until the timing felt right to really see what could happen between us. I was living in Washington DC working on my Ph.D., and Ryan was living in Charleston when he suggested coming up to DC for a museum weekend. Every second of that weekend feels so vivid to me still; it was like being reunited with my other half.

That kicked off our 2.5 years of long-distance dating. We kept the nonstop flights from CHS to DCA in business. After finishing my Ph.D., I was lucky enough to get a job at MUSC and move down to Charleston. We were always on our own timeline, and we enjoyed a few more years of dating before Ryan proposed… in Australia… at a lighthouse… overlooking the most gorgeous cliffside beach. How lucky can a girl get? I tackled him before he could get a knee down and cried so hard. It was pure joy and contentment.

Like I said in my vows, 'To know you is an honor. To love you is magical. And to be loved by you is truly life changing.' Being married to Ryan is a dream come true and proves to me that things can work out sometimes with a little effort and a lot of hope. Pretty neat."