This week was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced as a wedding photographer — or as a human being.

What was supposed to be a morning filled with excitement and joy, waking up on the best day of your life, turned into waking up in a closet with the sound of sirens, prayers on your lips, and devastation outside your door.

Just hours after the rehearsal dinner, a tornado tore through the town of London, Kentucky. Lives were shaken. Roads were covered in debris. And my sweet bride — whose only concern should have been her dress and her vows — was praying for safety, for others, and for the heartache all around her.

The venue suffered significant damage. The owner lost her entire home. Yet somehow, she still showed up — with unmatched strength and grace — determined to make Elizabeth and DaShaun’s wedding her priority. That in itself was a miracle.

The couple had to make the painful decision to contact all their guests and tell them not to come. The situation was that dire. But even through tears and heartbreak, the morning moved forward. Hair was done. Dresses were zipped. And the only focus my bride had was on everyone else. Never once did she make it about her. All she wanted was to honor those who had endured so much the night before.

I’ve loved this family for years — I’ve taken their photos through seasons of joy — but today, I gained a deeper level of respect and honor for them. I’m in awe of their grace. The way they carried themselves. The way they chose to donate all of their wedding food to the first responders and volunteers working tirelessly to help the community. It was humbling. Inspiring. Christ-like.

Through all the wreckage, a quiet ceremony unfolded in the venue. Behind the altar, shattered glass told the story of a storm — but the cross still stood. That moment will never leave me. It was a holy picture of what it means to build your life on something eternal.

Tears were shed. Hearts were heavy. But love still abounded. This couple still said “I do.” And they didn’t just say it — they meant it, with every fiber of their being. They clung to each other, soaked in every sacred second, and stepped into marriage with more strength than many couples face in a lifetime.

Everywhere we turned, there was devastation—debris scattered in every direction, pieces of people’s lives tossed like confetti. At one point, we saw an entire bathtub sitting on the front doorstep of the venue. It was surreal. We ended up taking portraits in the parking lot, in front of a fallen tree. I had to move a gutter out of the frame and we swept debris from the ground just to create a small space for photos. And yet, somehow, you’d never know it from the images. God’s light poured in, soft and radiant, as if Heaven itself wanted to shine down on this moment. It was His beauty—unmistakable and present—that made this day feel sacred. And it happened for the most deserving couple.

The venue owner’s courage and selflessness — after losing so much — is a testimony in itself. Her heart for her couples, her deep care for her business and her people, is why God has His hand over her and why her work continues to flourish.

I can’t think of a more deserving couple to have the most joyful celebration — with all of their friends and family in a few months as a do over. I can’t wait to capture the “dupe” wedding for them soon. – we will look back and see how God carried them through it all.

Because that’s what this day was. A testimony. Of love. Of resilience. Of faith. Of community. Of the kind of beauty that shines even in the darkest moments.

And I’ll never forget it.

This day would not have been possible without and outstanding team of vendors!

Dress | Twirl Boutique

Florist | Florist Design by Nikki

Ceremony/ Reception Venue : Heart of Grace Farm

Hair | Mackenzie Herald -True Beauty Hair

Wedding Planner | Champagne Toast Events

Cake | Tinkers Cake Shop

Invitations | Shine Invitations

XOXO,