This Grant Hill Farms Wedding will forever be one I will never forget and these newlyweds will forever be engrained in my heart!  I know I say something similar, often, but you have to read on and see why this family will forever be a part of my heart and what happened on their wedding day that I’ve never experienced before…

 

Grant Hill Farms Wedding

Pictures on a Rainy Day

First, let us reminisce about their amazing mountain-top engagement session where I first met these tw0 sweethearts!  It was then that I began counting down the days till we met again and I would have the honor of photographing the biggest day of their lives (until Thursday – but I’ll get to that).

 

Traci and her now-husband, Tyler are two of the most genuine, down-to-earth, and joyful people you will ever meet!  There is no doubt that Tyler’s world is his bride and that he is hers!

 

Grant Hill Farms Wedding

Getting Ready

The two spent their morning getting ready for the big day in their suites surrounded by their closest friends.  When I say friends, I mean the largest wedding party I’ve ever photographed to date!  There was no lack of joy and anticipation in either of these rooms!

Grant Hill Farms Wedding

First Look & Portraits

Just the look of anticipation on a groom’s face says it all! Tyler could hardly contain his breath as he waited for the moment he could see his beautiful bride all dressed up in her stunning wedding gown!  I just absolutely love first looks for this reason alone!  I get to witness a special moment between a couple right before they pledge their vows; a moment when the two can simply enjoy each other and the excitement their feeling without a crowd of people around them.  I’m so blessed that my couples invite me into the first day of the rest of their lives together!

 

It’s not often I break out lighting gear to take indoor portraits but it was just raining too hard to put Traci and Tyler outside and I definitely wanted some variety for them.  I’m so pleased I did!  I mean just look at how these two nail their portraits!  Oh, my heart…

Grant Hill Farms Wedding

Wedding Party

Did I mention this was the largest wedding party for me to date?!  It speaks volumes of the kind of people Traci and Tyler are!  Each one of these bridesmaids and groomsman was so easy to work with – full of fun, humor, joy, and love for their friends.

 

Grant Hill Farms Wedding

The Two Become One

Finally, it’s time to say “I do”!  When they built Grant Hill Farms wedding venue, they knew that having a covered option for both hot or rainy days was an important feature that would come in great use for days like this one.

 

Sometimes you just have to enter your wedding with bare feet!  Traci did not let a little rain stop her from making it to the aisle to marry her best friend in the world!  As soon as she was under the covered portion the bottom dropped out and it poured so hard you honestly couldn’t hear anything but the rain. It was perfect just the way it was!

As they exchanged rings and just before sharing the kiss, the clouds parted for the first time all day only to reveal the most beautiful sunset we’ve seen in some time.  It was a holy moment from above that I will never forget!

Grant Hill Farms Wedding

Wedding Reception

The inside of the venue was decorated in lush greens and beautiful whites by one of our favorites, JL Designs.  The newlyweds entered the reception while all of their family and friends cheered them on and they danced to the sweet sound of Prayed for You by Matt Stell.  It couldn’t have been a more perfect moment.

A few amazing speeches honoring their best friends, even more great laughs and a few shed tears later and it was finally time to open the dance floor…

Grant Hill Farms Wedding

The Two Become Three

As I write this, I am overwhelmed with joy and faith from our great Father above.  It was only about 15-20 minutes into the open dance floor when our bride disappeared from sight.  It wasn’t long before “she’s probably in the bathroom” turned into something much bigger.  You see, on this day Traci was 25 weeks pregnant.  I’ll never forget when I heard the announcement a few months ago that the soon to be Mixon’s were now also expecting – I was so ecstatic for them because I just know what amazing parents these two will be!  There is no doubt that every precious child is a gift from God and the He hand-chose Traci and Tyler to be baby Hudson’s parents – what an honor!

The joy of the day quickly turned into fear.  Traci ripped off her dress, changed into gym clothes, grabbed her husband and together they left their wedding.  I met them in the parking lot right before she hopped in the car – she was bleeding.  I prayed fervently over her for His hedge of protection on her and the baby before watching them drive off.  They and their entire entourage spent the rest of the night in the hospital (all of them still in their dresses and suits).  Traci learned she had a partial placental abruption and that decision to leave her wedding saved both hers and baby Hudson’s life.  If you already follow me on social media, then you’ve likely already been joining me in prayer for them.

 

The Two Become Three

Baby Hudson Makes His Arrival

I got the sweetest text late last night from Traci with a picture of the cutest little HAM (his initials) you’ve ever seen!  After 16 days in the hospital on strict bed rest orders, baby Hudson arrived at a tiny 3 lbs. and 1 oz. and 15″ long!  He’s already a little fighter – at just 27 weeks and 3 days gestation he is breathing on his own!  He’s doing great and I know the Mixon’s would covet your prayers because Hudson has some growing to do before coming home.  Having had a NICU preemie myself 18 years ago, I know the emotions these two are experiencing today. Thankfully, in Him is all things and he holds all creation together (Colossians 1:17).

Join me in prayer: Lord, we thank you for the miracle of birth and life and know you have great plans for the Mixon family.  May you give baby Hudson great strength and grow him to be big and strong like his daddy.  Father, continue to develop him and cover him in your hedge of protection giving him the absolute best doctor and nursing staff there is and guide their every thought and action when taking care of him. May you give Traci and Tyler great peace and joy as they watch him grow in the NICU.  May you bless all three of them with great health as they grow as a family closer to you. As Hudson grows may his love for you grow even more and may he shine your light wherever he goes in life. In Jesus’ name, we pray, amen.

 

Traci & Tyler, thank you so much for trusting me to capture your big day and for welcoming me into your lives like family!  I’m so honored to know you both and can not wait to watch what God has in store for all three of you!

Grant Hill Farm Wedding Vendors

Venue: Grant Hill Farms
Flower Design: JL Designs
Cake Artist: Laurie Duncan
Photographer: Five Fourteen Photography
Videographer: Zauche Videography
Bridesmaid Dresses: Revelry
Catering: Up In Smoke
DJ: Matt Medlin