Victory Mountain Camp Wedding Sophia North Carolina Wedding

Cristi & Wesley are Married!

August 24, 2018

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Cristi and Wesley were married at Victory Mountain Camp in Sophia, North Carolina last Saturday. Seeing these two so in love on their wedding day was a beautiful sight. I can’t explain in words how perfect this day was but I will try!

Cristi and Wesley first met at a church camp. They became high school sweethearts and started dating when they were just 15 years old! These two celebrated their 6 year anniversary this year.

Wesley actually proposed to Cristi at the camp where they married. There was a large wooden cross by the lake and he proposed under it. The cross was moved to inside of their reception area and decorated!

Cristi and Wesley are two of the kindest and most genuine people you could meet. They both choose careers where they get to help other people. They have a pure love and when you see them together you know that God created them for each other. If you’d like to see their fall farm engagement session you can click here.

When we first arrived at the camp I was so excited about how beautiful it was! Kristin and I went to hang out with Cristi and her bridesmaids at the Lake View Lodge. They were finishing getting their hair and makeup done.

Cristi was one of the most relaxed brides I have seen. She was just taking everything in and living in the moment! There were so many amazing friends and family that helped this day come together to reduce stress from Cristi and Wesley.

Cristi loves daisies and sunflowers and her bouquet was filled with them. I had sunflowers in my bouquet as well, so they are close to my heart. Cristi’s something borrowed was her late Grandfather’s wedding band tied to her bouquet.

I stayed with Cristi while she was getting her dress on and Kristin headed to Wesley. Wesley and his groomsmen were in a wooden cabin by the lake. They were joking and relaxing and Wesley was so happy to be getting married!

Cristi and Welsey choose to do a first touch and a prayer together. Kristin, the videographer Kaitlyn and myself were all in tears as Wesley prayed. He thanked God for choosing Cristi to be his partner in the most heartfelt words. His gratitude was so strong.

After their first touch Cristi wanted to take pictures with them closer but with Wesley’s eyes closed so he couldn’t see her. The smile on his face was something I’m sure she will treasure forever. These two are insanely adorable.

Although it had been calling for rain and thunderstorms the weather had been perfect up to their first touch. As we headed to the reception space the sky became much darker. About 45 minutes before the ceremony time the sky opened up. They say it’s good luck to have rain on your wedding day so Cristi and Wesley must be blessed!

The rain passed quickly and the ceremony chairs were dried. I’m so glad that they chose to keep their ceremony outdoors. They were married under a huge tree overlooking the lake.

As Cristi walked down the aisle Wesley couldn’t hide how happy he was to see her. He said he lost it before he ever turned around to see her. The officiant said to him “she looks so beautiful.”

During the ceremony there were so many special moments. Wesley’s Grandpa prayed over them and anointed them with holy oil. They invited guests to come and pray around them for their marriage. They read handwritten vows to each other and tied the cord of three strands.

After the ceremony they basked in that “just married glow.” I just love the pictures of them hugging and kissing. We decided that we would move their bride and groom pictures up because of the chance of more rain and I’m glad we did. They hopped on the back of a golf cart and we headed to the lake.

If it rains on your wedding day my motto is to “be like Cristi.” Embrace the rain! It made for beautiful pictures.

Cristi literally didn’t mind the rain one bit. It sprinkled as she and Wesley walked, danced, dipped and laughed. We got to use my clear umbrella again and I think it was even better than sunny pictures (this is saying a lot for a sun worshipper like me). They even sat on the wooden swing by the lake.

Their reception space had huge twinkle lights hanging from the ceiling. They danced their first dance under those lights and in front of the cross where Wesley had proposed. I like to call those magical movie moments.

Cristi and Wesley partied the night away with their friends and family. They ate cupcakes, line danced and celebrated. They exited under sparklers and Wesley dipped Cristi. Their getaway vehicle was a golf cart and they kissed and drove away under the light of the sparklers.

One of the sweetest things of all was that Wesley planned the entire honeymoon for Cristi. She had no clue where they were going until the day of. Cristi and Wesley I hope you are having the best time in the Dominican Republic.

You both deserve everything good that this world has to offer. Thank you so much for choosing me to capture your memories and I hope you enjoy these pictures as much as I enjoyed taking them.