Image courtesy of Carl Zoch
Megan and John live on the east coast, work stressful and busy jobs and travel a great deal for their careers. When they need to connect, to take time off, and be with each other, they head to nature, along with their doggies, Scout and Stella. During their courting days they loved spending time in the mountains, hiking, fly-fishing, and enjoying each other's company.
Image courtesy of Carl Zoch Photography (taken at Tunnel View, Yosemite)
When John proposed to Megan, it was while they were having some away time at a B&B in the Shenandoah Valley, which of course, included the dogs. John surprised Megan as they were about to head to dinner, as he called her to come outside where he had adorned each of the dogs with an appropriate chalkboard sign, Scout's reading "say yes" and Stella's "Please". Knowing how much her dogs mean to her, John had to include them in the 'popping of the question'. Their doggies are an important part of their lives and their family, right up there with the importance of getaways in nature. So when they were deciding where to marry, it was pretty clear they wanted a beautiful and memorable location. They had not yet been to Yosemite, but knew they would love it, and that it would be the perfect spot for their intimate elopement...with just the two of them, their awesome Photographer and me.
Image courtesy of Carl Zoch Photography
It was obvious to me, once I had gotten to know them, that Stella and Scout would be included in the ceremony I would write for them. After all, something I loved about John was how he had created an entire story life starring bad dog Scout and the valley girl Stella. During the ceremony I talked about the dogs, and read a poem entitled "How Falling in Love is Like Owning a Dog". After the ceremony, Megan laughed and asked me if I had many other clients who included their dogs in the ceremony as much as them. I said it didn't matter. It was their ceremony, written for them, and while Stella and Scout could not be there physically, their presence was felt by Megan and John in spirit and that was what mattered.
Image courtesy of Carl Zoch Photography
Images courtesy of Carl Zoch Photography
The two of them like to look at their life as an adventure and going forward they hope to fulfill all their personal goals for themselves, and their marriage, continuing to bond over shared experiences, whether it's going out for a run or a paddle, or having a quiet dinner out. Because after all, love, is like owning a dog, and love "needs love, lots of it. And in return love loves you and never stops."
Megan and John may you continue to experience many adventures together throughout your marriage. Billy Graham said "The word 'romance', according to the dictionary, means excitement, adventure, and something extremely real. Romance should last a lifetime." I have no doubt that for you, it will. Hugs and best wishes to you, as well as to Stella and Scout.
Image Courtesy of Carl Zoch Photography
"We want to thank you so much for making our wedding ceremony everything we wanted it to be! Honestly, it was picture perfect! We are so lucky with how everything turned out for our special day, and you were such a big part of that! We can't thank you enough for giving us the perfect ceremony - I feel like we are still riding cloud 9 from our wedding day." ~ Megan & John
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