Bri and Aren’s wedding at the New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum in Las Cruces, NM two weeks ago was on a bright and hot July Saturday. These two had traveled back to the mainland from Hawaii where they live, only days before their wedding date—and until their pre-wedding shoot shortly after their arrival, we had never met face to face. I’m so glad we had the opportunity to meet in person prior to the wedding day!
Bri and Aren met though mutual friends. Bri says Aren planned their first date to be at her favorite Vietnamese restaurant, without having any idea that she loved it so much! They quickly became inseparable, but as Aren is in the Army, he was just about to be stationed in Hawaii. They both knew what they wanted—and who they wanted—and the next thing they knew, Bri was on a plane to Hawaii with Aren!
Living there hasn’t been without challenge—these two are pretty devoted to their families, and until their wedding they hadn’t been back to the mainland in about a year and a half. When I asked Bri what they’d be doing after the wedding, her answer was that they’d be visiting with their families. Being away from home for so long has a way of putting things in perspective.
One of my favorite moments from the day was when Aren took the microphone at the reception. He stood in the middle of the dance floor and thanked Bri’s mother and grandparents for raising such a wonderful woman. He shared what it is about her that he loves so much, and talked about how he knew she was the girl he wanted to spend his life with. Those moments at weddings always get to me, and I always think about what a privilege it is to be asked to be a part of someone’s story in this way—to be allowed in, to witness a couple’s love and commitment to each other.
Bri and Aren, congratulations! I wish you the very best in your new life together, and hope your day was everything you wanted.
All my best,
Erin 🙂
Bri’s dress was handmade! All that beadwork…
Bri’s grandparents were just about to hit their 50th wedding anniversary–so their family planned a sweet surprise during the reception and all the guests celebrated with them!
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