{images by the incredibly sweet + talented jessica burke}

Earlier this year I received an email from one of my favorite people (who happens to be one of my favorite photographers, too), Jessica Burke who was working with a client who had to move their wedding date up much sooner than planned and wanted to do a city hall ceremony. This couple happened to be a Navy nurse and Navy pilot, and their original wedding date had to be changed, because the bride found out she was going to be deployed to Afghanistan on that very same day. Jessica asked, do you do florals for city hall weddings? I excitedly replied yes and wanted to get involved in any way I could. Unbeknownst to the couple, Jessica and I planned to surprise them with proper wedding florals on their big day, so they could still have the wedding feel even though their wedding was a bit different than they had originally planned. I studied the bride’s pinterest board to get a feel of what she was originally going to go for, and created a bouquet made with every ounce of love I had to give. This couple was sacrificing not just their wedding day, but their every day freedom to protect what we take for granted all too often. It was the least I could do to create something as a surprise to make the couple feel that “realness” of their wedding day, even if it was just a few bouquets and a boutonniere.

The end result was not only a surprised and happy couple, but the nicest email I’ve ever received. “…your kind gift of the flowers made the civil ceremony feel extra special and I can tell you with so much enthusiasm that it added the magical touch a wedding day carries.” Mark and Alessandra, it was such an honor to work with you both and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for all that you do for our country. God bless!

Go take a look at the full story over on Snippet & Ink and leave the amazing couple some love. I’ll be back later this week with an update on the move!