Sometimes you meet two people that inspire you to believe in love; to believe that love truly can conquer all as they say. These two did that for me…their love story unlike any other I’ve seen in all the years I’ve been shooting weddings. Many in our community already know their story and have supported this sweet family through some tough times, and I know they are so grateful. I figured it would be best to let Katie, the beautiful bride, tell her story
in her own words….
“Walking down the aisle with my dad holding my arm, I could only think about how thankful I was to be healthy for my wedding day as well as to be able to marry my best friend. It was a huge rush of joy as I flashed back to the day Tyler proposed to me and the journey we had survived the past year.
“I was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer the fall of 2014, and I would have to endure 8 chemotherapy treatments, surgery to remove the 7 centimeter tumor, and then radiation. Tyler was the reason I was able to fight so hard for our wedding day as well as for our future life together because he proposed the morning of my first chemotherapy treatment. I perfectly remember that morning. I was frantically packing my bag for the hospital and Tyler continued to ask me to sit down to what I thought was going to be a “pep talk”: some encouragement to get me through what I thought was going to be the worse day of my life. I was extremely nervous for my first treatment. When Tyler finally began to talk, he discussed how life takes twists and turns and how we could beat this disease together, how he would be by my side through all of it, how I am the strongest person he knows…It was then that he looked in to my eyes, got down on one knee, and turned what was going to be the worst day of my life in to the best day of my life. He asked if I would spend the rest of my life with him, and I said YES! I was literally up in the clouds and overjoyed. I breezed through my first chemotherapy like it was nothing.
“The rest of the year the wedding was a bright spot to focus on for all of our families. Tyler and I, my parents, my sister, and friends threw themselves into wedding planning. It was all of our escape from the cancer treatment. So walking down the aisle, I looked into Tyler’s eyes- the man that let me cry in his arms when I woke up in the morning to clumps of hair all over the bed, the man who sat by me through my treatments, the man who held my hand extra tight when my oncologist gave us bad news, and the man who loved me more than I could ever have asked from another human being. I was simply thankful-thankful for him and my family but mostly thankful for the fact that I survived it all for our wedding day.”
“Our first look was so emotional! Walking up to Tyler, I was shaking; I couldn’t calm my nerves until my hands touched him. He was the most handsome man and he was mine…”
“The wedding ceremony was beautiful. Shelley at Born in a Barn set up an area for us after the ceremony where we serrated a bottle of champagne to celebrate with our wedding party. We were surrounded by horses, antique cars and furniture, chickens, and laughter.”
“The reception went by so fast…our favorite moment of the night was the longest-married-couple dance where we saw three of our grandparents be the last ones dancing.”
“My parents along with family and friends really put lots of time in to making this wedding gorgeous for Tyler and me. And it was. I had the wedding I had dreamed about, but more importantly a husband that I know was going to be beside me in sickness and in health. ~Katie”
Thank you both, Tyler and Katie, from the bottom of my heart for allowing me to be a part of your celebration and to document your memories!! Also thank you for your patience in getting this up – you know my medical situation and I appreciate that you have been so kind. So much love to you both!! xoxoxo
VENDORS (Click on name for link to site):
Photography: Alissa Ferullo Photography
Venue: Born in a Barn Guest Ranch
Wedding Coordinator: Ashley Marie Weddings
Catering: Kiwi Katering
Signage: MOB & Holly Legerski
Wedding Dress: David Tutera
Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Ann Taylor
Groom’s Attire: Calvin Klein
Groomsmen Attire: J Ferrar
Hair: Ginger Salon
Flowers (Bridal Bouquet & Groom’s Boutonniere): Babe’s Flowers
Flowers (Centerpieces & Bridesmaids Bouquets): Costco
Floral Design: Bride’s Family
Cake: Victoria Sarokon
