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Where do I begin with Emily and Jake? We have been through it all together…a pandemic, moves, postponements…I have even had a second baby since these two booked me back in the fall of 2019 for what was supposed to be their summer 2020 wedding. Alas, two years later, they got the celebration they have meticulously planned [three times] and that they so, so deserve.

Both Emily and Jake’s fathers were Marines, and Jake followed in the footsteps of his father. Emily and Jake met while Jake was stationed at Quantico doing his basic officer training, and well…the rest was history. It wasn’t long after they started dating they realized that they were meant to be together forever. While Jake’s family is in Florida, Emily’s is still in Quantico, which is where our paths crossed. I was so excited to be included in another service member’s wedding. As time progressed, our paths continued to cross bringing my family and Emily’s family even closer together!

Once their July wedding day came along, it was like I was shooting my own sister’s wedding! Emily’s impeccable sense of style led her to wear two dresses–one for the ceremony and one for the reception. As you go through the images on the blog though, it may seem like she had three dresses. One of them had a lace top that slipped over it and, wow, was it beautiful. Her style can be described as a professional Princess Di, which is appropriate seeing as how her mother’s family is from England.

Emily upheld a few family traditions by having six pence tied to her shoe and wearing a horseshoe for good luck around her garter. I think it certainly did bring them good luck for beautiful weather on a warm, coastal Carolina July day. She also danced with her father to her parents’ first dance song, which I think could be the start of a beautiful tradition for their kids as well.

I was so thankful we had room in the timeline for portraits at various parts of their day. We were able to showcase the details of Jake’s uniform, as well as the different dresses Emily wore throughout the evening. Of course you can’t get married on the coast of North Carolina without having some water in your portraits (just like their beach engagement session!), so we ventured out to the dock at sunset to capture the glowy light and beautiful scenery.

We ended the night with some toasts, some cake, some dancing, and a fun send off! I am so thankful for Emily, Jake, their families, and this awesome community the Marine Corps has provided us. Congratulations to the sweet couple! And as they say in the sword arch, Welcome to the Marine Corps!

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Vendor Team
Photography | Ali Rae Haney Photography
Videography | CDS Visuals
Venue | Marston Pavilion
Bridal Gown Designer | Ava Laurenne Bride
Bridal Gown Boutique | Ava Laurenne Bride
Bridal Shoes | Badgley Mischka
Bridal Accessories | White House Black Market & Etsy
Bridal Hair & Makeup | Alice Lawson Salon & Spa
Bridesmaids Hair & Makeup | Alice Lawson Salon & Spa
Bridesmaids Dresses | Dessy Collections
Bridesmaids Accessories | J. Crew
Groomsmen’s Suits | ASOS
Florist | Eco Chic Blossoms
Baker | Pink Baking Co.
Caterer | Marston Pavilion
Paper Suite | Zazzle
DJ | Active Entertainment

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