I grew up with a best cousin friend who was nearly exactly my age. I had 4 younger sisters and she had 2 older brothers. So going to each other's home was always new and exciting. David is one of the older brothers. He tormented me as a girl (folding me up in the folding couch and hiding under our bed) and I loved it.

David is really special to me. I've always loved his quiet and wild heart. I spent endless summers watching him in the ocean mastering anything athletic he touched. When I think of him, I see him coming in from the ocean with his twinkly eyes, giant smile and his salty hair.

David has those same twinkly eyes for Alison.

Really the first good amount of time I spent with his bride was the morning of her wedding. I spent a few relaxing hours at their rental house with her family who flew from Scotland to celebrate. And what a sweet morning it was! Chatting and dancing and drinking tea and eating biscuits. As the hours ticked by my heart felt more and more glad that my dear cousin got to spend the rest of his life with this woman. Not only is she kind but she is genuine through and through. Not only is she strong (hello crossfit!) but she is gentle.

Alison and David had their first look at his parent's home in Charleston, SC where the summer sun pierced through the draping spanish moss in the most romantic of ways.

They had their intimate ceremony on the water at Cottage on the Creek on Shem Creek. During their ceremony they honored their parents beautifully and also honored David's daughter Jenna Kate with family vows.

As soon as they were pronounced husband and wife the sky poured down with a torrential summer rainstorm! Despite heavy rain, the party didn't even waver. The cocktail hour was cozy and intimate and everywhere I looked there were smiles and laughter.

Every wedding I do I look through my camera and document so many new faces. Even though they are just faces to me, I know each one is beloved and treasured by the bride and groom. It was really special to really know and love the people on the other side this go around; my great Aunt Lucy, who I named my daughter after, my cousin who I have 90% of my childhood memories with, and so many other loved ones.

I entered the wedding day completely positive that the dance floor would be hopping that night. No shadow of a doubt. And I wasn't disappointed. The dance floor was opened after the bride and groom interrupted their traditional first dance with the Whip and Nay Nay and the fun just went up from there. The whole evening was filled to the brim with laughter, good food, dance and so.much.fun. I might have even done the worm at one point...