Joe and Dianne just celebrated their one-year anniversary! They were married on April 3rd, 2021 on their farm in Browns Summit, NC surrounded by family and close friends. It was a beautiful sunny spring day and such a joyous occasion! Joe and Dianne are dear friends and it's been wonderful to see their love for one another blossom. I'm so happy for these two!
Back in early March of 2020, just before the world shut down, Joe and Dianne were on vacation visiting family stationed in the military in Singapore. And while they were there, I was caring for their home, farm, and their four dogs, three horses, and a kitty. Joe proposed to Dianne with a gorgeous engagement ring while they were there and she said yes! Before they returned from their trip, Dianne messaged me and told me their exciting news & asked me if I would be their wedding photographer. She also said if they got stuck in Singapore, to please look after their fur-babies until they could get back and also where to purchase horse feed or to ask their neighbors, whom I also farm & petsit for! They are such wonderful friends and they would do anything for us too. And they have - from petsitting for us at the last minute to mowing my lawn when my zero turn was down & out last summer! So grateful for them both.
Luckily they made it home safely and their wedding plans got underway. They decided on a date the following spring, hoping that things with the pandemic would be looking up by then. Either way, they wanted to keep it small and have an outdoor ceremony on their farm with a reception in their garden at their home. Dianne picked out a beautiful dress and showed it to me on her phone. She wanted it to be a big surprise for Joe. She looked absolutely stunning in it and Joe was definitely surprised when he saw her walking down the aisle for the first time. He was beaming!
After their morning ceremony overlooking the barn, Joe and Dianne joined me for photos together around the barn and out in the horse pasture. Dianne also decided to get on Jandy, her gorgeous Shire draft horse, bareback in her wedding dress. That explains why she wore her cowgirl boots! It turned out to be bittersweet, as they lost their sweet girl last fall unexpectedly. I'm so heartbroken for them. The first time I went to feed their horses for them after the loss of Jandy, I was so sad and still miss her so much. Jandy was such a gentle giant. She'd been a carriage horse for Dianne's former carriage company business, Carolina Weddings & Wagons. Many of those in the wedding & events industry may remember both Dianne and Jandy. This is how I met Dianne and how I got to know her, becoming friends and one another's pet-sitters.
On a happier note, I loved how Joe and Dianne's wedding was so family oriented. Joe's daughter Kat helped Dianne get ready and dresses after she had her makeup done onsite. Kat also helped with all of the decor and florals. Dianne's daughter, Devin was there to help her mother get ready too. Devin is a horse-owner and handler as well, so when it came time for photos with Jandy, Devin was such a big help. Dianne's son, Douglas walked her down the aisle, and her granddaughter "E" was the flower girl. Dianne's son-in-law Patrick handled all of the catering at the reception. And a friend provided the micro brewed beer which was really good (after photos were done, I had to try some!). Both the food and beer were amazing!
Joe and Dianne had their luncheon reception in their tented garden and they sure chose a beautiful spring day for it. Although Joe is retired Navy, he never slows down with helping on the farm. He has also since become a Master Gardener and their yard looked so gorgeous, with so many flowers & trees starting to bloom and green up. It was wonderful to be such a big part of it their special day, both as a friend and their professional photographer! They are the sweetest couple and so sweet together.
Although Joe & Dianne had originally planned to go back to Singapore for their honeymoon, there was a change in plans. They ended up going to Alaska a couple months later, in June, got a rental car & traveled throughout staying at a couple of locations. I lived vicariously through their travel pics - Alaska is on my bucket list! And while they were there, I also had the honor of looking after their fur-babies again. What a treat!
Congratulations and many best wishes to you, Joe & Dianne, on your one year anniversary! Love you both so much :)
ceremony + reception - private farm and residence
wedding dress - Justin Alexander from the boutique, Carolina Bridal World
make-up artist - Tamarah Ellen
jeweler - One Ounce - A Jewellry Boutique
florals & decor - DIY with the help of Joe's daughter, Kat Scheetz
catering - Patrick McBrayer, Dianne's son-in-law
micro-brewed beer - Marshall Macomber
rentals - tents, chairs, tables, & linens - Partymaker's Event Rentals
all images © Elizabeth Larson Photography
0 Comments