Life has a funny way of sprinkling in a little change of plans from time to time, usually precisely when you would least like it. And that sprinkle became a literal shower on Chris & Alyssa’s big day, scrapping their original ceremony plans and hustling their altar under a tent. But the rain isn’t the story, my friends… the real story is everything in between!
A word from photographer, Sharin Shank:
“Chris and Alyssa had a beautiful wedding in Rockport, Indiana at Corner House B&B. The bride wanted an outdoor ceremony on the hilltop surrounded by family and friends. Her plans were crushed when the rain set in on her special day, but as photographers we knew we could make this happen for her after heractual ceremony. So we all ran up to the top of the hill in between ceremony and reception with the wedding party and officiant. These two were in heaven living this small part of their dream!!”
Love notes from the couple, Christopher & Alyssa:
How did you two meet? What were your first impressions of one another?
Alyssa: “We met when we were in middle school in our church youth group! I thought Christopher was the coolest middle school guy around (he always had a posse of boys following him around!). Christopher says he thought I was the prettiest girl he’d ever seen. I would always catch him ‘making eyes’ at me from across the room. After going on a mission trip and getting to know each other we started going out’. We dated for 3 years in high school, went our separate ways and then found our way back to each other years later! We reconnected when we were both In our hometown in Indiana for Christmas and started texting each other from across the country. Christopher was living in Chicago and I was living in Charlotte, NC at the time. Christopher was ready to date again immediately but I was hesitant. We ended up having a texting friendship and throughout that time he was patient and kind and steady, and knew we were meant to be together. My heart opened up to the idea of us dating again and after 2 years we decided to date again. The rest is pretty much history!”
Tell us a funny story relating to your relationship!
Alyssa: “Goodness we LOVE laughing and being silly together! Rarely does a day go by that we haven’t belly laughed with each other or at one another! Mostly, we end up doing dumb things on accident that are funny. For example, just the other day, I found some cologne in Christopher’s car and I thought I would just give him a little squirt. Of course, I accidentally sprayed it right in his face while he was driving. Needless to say, there was a moment of panic and pain followed but a lot of laughter.”
What is your favorite thing about each other?
“How do you pick one favorite!?!”
Christopher: “I love how no matter what, when Alyssa walks in the room, it brightens up. It’s as if she has an aura of cuteness and joy that flows from her. No mater what mood I’m in, 5 minutes with Alyssa and I’ve forgotten the woes of my day….”
Alyssa: “I love Christopher’s thoughtfulness and humor. Christopher is making me laugh and looking for the next opportunity to do so! Coupled with that he is always doing little things around the house, like emptying the dishwasher, fixing things that break, and putting things away that remind me how lucky I am to have a guy who goes out of their way to do the seemingly unimportant things that really add up to mean a lot in the end!”
Describe a hurdle you had to overcome during your wedding planning.
“When it got closer to the wedding day we knew there was a high chance of rain. We had to decide what our back up plan was going to be as our orinigal plan was to get married outside on top of a beautiful hilltop in the country. Thankfully, we were using the same venue for both the ceremony and the reception. We made the decision to get a tent to put over the open air dance floor were the receoption was being held so that we could hold the ceremony under the tent in case of rain. Low and behold it misted and rained just enough that we weren’t able to have our outdoor ceremony. But the tent and barns made the ceremony so beautiful that it didn’t matter! We were also able to reenact the ceremony on the hilltop with our wedding party when the rain slowed!”
What part of your wedding day was most important to you?
“Besides the moment we said our vows our first look! We are so happy we choose to do a first look because that time just the two of us was incredibly special. Our photographers and videographers did an amazing job of staying in the background to where we didn’t even feel like they were around! We will always remember those moments standing in the mist seeing each other for the first time the day and reading the letters we wrote one another.”
What is the most honest thing you can say about love?
“Love is the most complex thing but the most beautiful. And Love is hard but worth it. Love is constantly and continuously learning about and studying the other person (in a non-creepy way of course!). Ultimately, Love is sacrifice, respect, sincerity, and kindness all mixed together with some passion sprinkled in.”
photographer: Sharin Shank / venue: Corner House B &B and Event Barns / stylist, designer, planner, florist: Jenny Wilkerson / dress boutique: Ella Park Bridal / dress designer: Lillian West / cake designer: Grand Traverse Pie Company / hair and makeup artist: Terra Batson with Studio Twent Two / men’s formalwear: Banana Republic / film lab: The Find Lab / second photographer: Becca Novak / groom & groomsmens Shoes: Toms / bridesmaids gowns: Show Me Your Mumu / ceremony music: Caroline Hauschild Violin
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