“It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife.” ~ Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice

And did he ever! But before I get into Matthew and Sara’s story, I need to back up and tell you how I ended up standing here, on this hillside and why a Jane Austen quote is a very fitting opener.

On the long plane ride to Grand Junction, Colorado, I decided to pass the time by watching my favorite movie, “Pride and Prejudice” (the one with Keira Knightly). I love not just the story line, but the beautiful way the movie was filmed and presented. The light, the texture, the color…yummy! And then add to it a beautiful love story, and well, now you know why it’s my favorite movie! It didn’t take long being around Sara and her friends when I started to notice that they, too, loved this movie! Quotes and references abounded and I was amazed at how perfect it was that I watched the movie on my plane right there! One of my favorite scenes is when Lizzie is standing at the edge of a cliff with the wind billowing through her dress. I was about to burst when I found myself in the above scene, the music from that part of the movie played in my head as I clicked the shutter on my camera.

Sara found me through her friend Davaun, a budding photographer and admirer of my photography. We had connected once via email and she has already decided I would be her wedding photographer someday, so maybe I should be Sara’s as well! When Sara and I talked, I knew this wedding was a perfect fit and that it would be a special experience for me. I arrived on Friday afternoon and got to be escorted around by Davaun, who I could tell after about ten minutes, would become a good friends (and I was right!)

Sara and Matthew met in New Zealand while attending a missions training program for Youth With a Mission (YWAM). During their training, they are not allowed to date, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t allowed to fall in love from a distance. Their training took them around the world, and in the process, they became friends and when the program ended, they confessed their love for one another and began the journey towards spending the rest of their lives together.

Matthew is from Grand Junction, CO, and his aunt and uncle own a ranch in the shadow of the Reeder Mesa. On the ranch there are two trees in a pasture that became the perfect backdrop for a memorable wedding ceremony.

 

I asked Sara during our discussions what he “rain plan” was. She told me it rains only about eight days a year, and it’s not likely to rain on their wedding day. So, there was no rain plan, and as you might guess from the photo above, this was one of those eight days. We were all a little nervous, but the weather in this area changes rapidly, so it was just important to be ready for anything!

 

 

 

  

Sara’s lifelong friend Kaitlin was a big support to Sara.

 

They are like sisters!

 

Mom could’t hold her feelings back. I love that!

 

 

First sight…look how he looks at her. So much love!

 

See? The weather changes constantly. The sun peeked out from behind the clouds and made for beautiful light for some afternoon portraits of Matthew and Sara.

 

 

Dad stopped by and they shared a sweet moment.
When Sara shared this on her Facebook wall, someone made this comment that got me a little choked up,
“Your FIRST real love……all of us girls and our Dads!!!”

 

 

So there were horses, and I was happy. :)

 

Going for a little test ride!

 

 

I imagine the dialog something like this, “Did you see her gorgeous dress?” “Yes, and those red shoes, they make such a statement!”

 

Such a lovely backdrop!

 

And then just like that, as the processional music was starting and people were beginning to get seated, a big windstorm blew into the valley!

 

Hold on to your…everything!

 

Waiting it out up by the house.

 

Then the sun came back out, but made for a dramatic scene as the storm that just passed contrasted the sunlit landscape.

 

 

  

 

  

  

Look at how they held each other tight!

 

 

 

 

 

The officiant was the person who lead their YWAM training program, so there was a special relationship there.

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We couldn’t get the horses to let us come close, so we opted for having them as a background element. ;)

 

 

 

 

 

Sara’s mom made and decorated this cake. The unbelievable thing about that? She’s NEVER decorated a cake before! WOW!

 

Davaun and Lindsey! I so enjoyed getting to spend some time with these amazing young women. We had brunch together the next day. I miss them!

 

  

Kaitlin’s beautiful toast ended with this perfect Pride and Prejudice quote, ” I could not have parted with you, my (Lizzy) Sara, to any one less worthy.” Sniffle…

 

 

Grandpa lighting his sparkler – priceless!

 

 

“I will have to tell you: you have bewitched me, body and soul, and I love, I love, I love you. I never wish to be parted from you from this day on.” ~Pride and Prejudice 2005 Movie Quote