The first of October, my husband received a text from one of his co-workers asking about my availability for their October 12th wedding. When he approached me about it, I was naturally a little baffled and the timing and wondered why they didn’t have a photographer already secured. Their date was the only Saturday in October that I wasn’t booked, and I asked Elizabeth to call me. A few minutes later she did and after talking to her, I learned about their situation. Matt and Elizabeth had planned to get married on Cumberland Island next year, but Elizabeth’s dad was battling pancreatic cancer and to ensure he would be a part of their day, they abandoned their plans and were putting a wedding together in only a few weeks. Elizabeth sounded emotional as she said “I just want to marry Matt…and I want my dad to be there.”
I’m sure we have all known and loved someone who has battled cancer. For me, I’ve watched my aunt, my husband’s uncle, and a family friend battle this disease, and I knew as soon as I heard their story that I wanted to help however I could.
Matt’s sister, Jessica, and her husband Aaron own a large piece of land in Fayetteville, and they offered for the wedding to take place there. Family pitched in to help make the boutonnières, the bouquets, and the table decorations. Elizabeth’s sisters helped to oversee the dinner. Everyone did what they could to make this day special for Matt and Elizabeth. Elizabeth’s children, Amy and James were also included in the wedding, and Elizabeth shared a sweet moment with her daughter before they headed down to the creek where the ceremony would take place.
Elizabeth rode down to the ceremony with her father in a golf-cart. As her father tucked her hand in his elbow to escort her down the aisle, he stood tall and proud and both of their faces were full of emotion. It was an incredibly powerful moment to watch, and there were tears in not only their eyes, but in the eyes of many of their guests as her father gave her away to Matt.
Their ceremony was God-centered and sweet, and included a unity candle, and special readings. Finally, they were pronounced husband and wife, and they sealed their vows with a kiss.
We headed back out of the woods to take family portraits, and portraits of Matt and Elizabeth. At the tail end of photos, a rain shower popped up, but that didn’t dampen anyone’s spirits—everyone found shelter under the porch while we grabbed a few fun portraits with the clear umbrellas. The rain only lasted a few minutes, and when it ended, Matt and Elizabeth shared their first dance as husband and wife, followed by an incredibly emotional father-daughter dance, and then Matt danced with his mother.
It was truly a beautiful, intimate, backyard wedding with their closest friends and family. While I’m sure it was a bittersweet day for Elizabeth and her family, I’m thankful they were also able to experience joy at watching these two come together and this special family be united. I was truly impacted by the strength, dignity and love her father displayed throughout the day. Matt and Elizabeth, thank you for entrusting me with what I know are priceless memories—and know that my family’s prayers are with your family and Elizabeth’s father as he continues his battle.
