Giving Back

***ENTRIES & VOTING IS CLOSED!*** To see the winners of this giveaway click on the following link: wedding photo and video giveaway results.

After many wonderful entries and some time praying about it, Ed and I have made our decision on our three finalist couples. Every entry we received was deserving, and we wish there was a way for us to give to all of them, but sadly we cannot, and we wish them all the very best. I would encourage EVERY wedding vendor to donate their services at least once every year to a deserving couple. That couple will be blessed by your gift, but you will be even more blessed by giving of yourself. TRUST ME ON THIS. With that said, let me introduce you to our finalists. There are three couples and they will be listed below in no particular order along with details of their wedding, their love story, and a photo.

[HOW TO VOTE: After reading their stories, scroll to the bottom and leave a comment with your choice. I will only count one vote per IP address. Your comment must await my moderation, so please wait for your vote to appear after I approve it. Thanks for your patience!]

VOTING DEADLINE IS: April 10th, 2011 at 11:59pm PST (it was April 14th, but I am leaving town April 15th, therefore deadline is now moved up)

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COUPLE NO. 1
Chris & Brooke
Wedding Location: Concord, NC

Their Story (from Brooke’s perspective):
Chris and I met in high school back in 2005 through a mutual friend. Chris had always had a crush on me ever since we first met, but I had always thought of him as a big brother. Years passed by, we lost touch, and went our separate ways. During the two years that Chris and I didn’t talk, I had reunited with my ex-boyfriend who I eventually had a child with. This relationship was not healthy at all. He was emotionally abusive and it took the birth of our daughter to realize how important it was for me to leave him and be strong for us. Even though I was scared, it was the best decision I ever made. My ex took me to court in an attempt to take my daughter away, and after a brutal and long battle, I eventually gained custody. I was now “allowed” to talk to my friends since my ex was out of my life, and I no longer felt threatened by him.

Eventually Chris and I started talking again and we hung out a few times. Once, we went to a store and he just took over the stroller for me so I could help my sister. He was being so nice.In April 2010, I invited him to the zoo with my family, my daughter, and my Grandma. We had so much fun and he was helping so much with my daughter. That made me happy. A couple of days later, he showed up on my doorstep with my favorite flowers, daisies, and asked me to be his girlfriend. Of course I said ‘yes’ and I could not have been any happier to finally be with a genuine, nice southern man who loves me and is head over heels in love with my daughter.

I first knew I was in love with him when he took over bath time. I just sat there thinking how amazing this man is to accept my daughter and I into his life. He showed so many signs of being a fantastic father too. He has shown me what true love really is. I know that’s corny but it’s so true. I’ve never known what it was until I felt all the things I feel with him. In July of 2010, Chris was shipped off to basic training for the Navy. I knew before going into this relationship that he was joining and I knew we were both strong enough to deal with the hardships that come with it. He finished training and he is now currently in school for his job. Long distance relationships are not easy at all. It is so hard not seeing the face of your other half every day, let alone not being able to just BE with each other. I miss how we could just lay down and watch t.v. or hold hands and walk without saying a word. We love that. I also miss being completely silly with him. We both have a great sense of humor, so we are always laughing, having fun, and teasing each other.

Chris took leave over Christmas and was able to come back and spend some time with his family and mine. He proposed to me on December 22nd at La Vecchias steak and seafood downtown in a private room. His friend was the head chef and prepared all of our meals with Chris’s custom menu he made of my favorite and his favorite foods. Right before dessert, he got up, came to my side of the table, got down on one knee and asked if I would be his wife. I said yes and put on the most beautiful ring. He even did this with his dress blues (his Navy uniform) on! After dinner, we made a stop at Chris’s mom’s house and shared the news, with my parents as well, and of course everyone already knew! We then went to catch a showing of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1. We waited months to see the movie together and it was the perfect ending to that night. Chris has really shown me what it’s like to be happy. Along with my daughter, he has changed my life. Being a teen mom is not easy and by having someone there for me, who doesn’t judge me and accepts me for who I am is truly wonderful.

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COUPLE NO. 2
Andy & Heather
Wedding Location: Savannah, GA

Their Story (from Heather’s perspective):
“We’re from opposite sides of the country. Andy’s from NY and I’m from WA. We met in a beige sea of cubicles smack dab in the middle of Seattle while working for the same finance company. We instantly recognized each other as creative misanthropes, hungry for a more meaningful life. Little did we know that as emails flew back and forth between us, we were building the most beautiful, hilarious and unconditionally supportive relationship either of us had ever known. Since we’ve met, we’ve had a running theme of spontaneity, while encouraging each other to take risks and follow our hearts. First it was our jobs. I encouraged Andy to quit his job and become a full time freelance graphic designer. Then he convinced me to quit my day job and become a full time freelance photographer. I went from pushing papers to pursuing my passion, a gift I consider myself lucky to have experienced but mostly because it was Andy who inspired me and asked me to put faith in my abilities.

Soon after, we convinced ourselves we could do better than those gray Seattle skies, so we up and moved to the South, site unseen. Andy now works for a global non-profit here in Chapel Hill that supports health workers in Africa. I’m an executive assistant for UNC in a research clinic for children with autism – and I still take pictures too. We’ve even photographed a few weddings together. Almost 3 years ago, we rented a tiny car and drove from Seattle to San Francisco for Thanksgiving. It was along the winding Highway 1 of the California coast that we first realized that we were an excellent pair on adventures. It couldn’t be a more perfect place for us to be married…”

I wrote that four weeks ago to our beloved wedding planner in sunny California.

Confused?
Allow me to explain.
Andy and I were just putting the finishing touches on our cliff side Big Sur wedding – a day we dreamed up together one rainy day on the floor of our apartment. We found a breathtaking cliff for the ceremony, a classical guitarist who could play Zepplin tunes, a sensitive and sincere officiant to marry us and a loving woman who would open her home and kitchen to us for an Italian-themed reception, complete with a tower of cannolis for the cake! Piecing together our income without credit cards or help from family, we found a way to make it work on our modest salaries and we couldn’t have been more excited.

Two weeks later, I lost my job unexpectedly. After taking a long, hard look at our budget, we realized our California dream was no longer feasible, no matter how we sliced it. All of that effort and emotional investment would evaporate. I was devastated. But it was in that pivotal moment that Andy reminded me of what matters most; that we will be marrying each other and that it will be amazing no matter where we are. He inspired me yet again to chase what I love, and instead of signing up with another temp agency to find an office job, I would put all of my efforts back into my photography business. We called our vendors and regretfully, reluctantly canceled our plans, ordered our wedding bands and hoped for the best.

We consider ourselves lucky. We’re healthy, we have a warm place to call home and food to nourish our bodies. We make enough money on Andy’s salary to pay our bills and feed our dogs. We are not battling any serious illnesses and no one is being shipped overseas. But we’ve had an almost laughable time trying to get married. By the time we exchange vows in September – whether it’s in the parking lot at Food Lion or a chateau in Italy – it will be over two years from the date we were engaged. This is our third attempt at planning a wedding – the first squashed by displeased family and the second foiled by job loss. The third time’s a charm, right? We sure hope so.

We found a very special place – a renovated pharmacy built in 1890 in the heart of Savannah, GA. As God as my witness, we will ride the train there together come September and beneath the Spanish moss and the midday sun, we’re getting hitched.

We now realize that if we’re creative enough to dream up three completely different and exciting weddings from $10,000 to $2,000 that maybe, just maybe, anything’s possible. And of course, a few key lessons learned along the way:

1. You don’t always get what you want. Even when as a photographer, you involuntarily gag at the thought of a family friend snapping your wedding photos with a point and shoot and (gasp) on-camera flash.
2. Families can be very, very hard to please.
3. Jobs come and go, but what matters most is that you do what you love and keep yourself hungry for new challenges, both personally and professionally.
4. A five-tier cake, a band and a ball gown does not a wedding make.
5. The key to overcoming obstacles is to have a great sense of humor!
6. We are getting married on 9/10/11 at 12:13 and it will be beautiful because our love is abundant, patient and strong.

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COUPLE NO. 3
Jonathan & Ema
Wedding Location: Chicago, IL

Their Story (from Ema’s perspective):
Jonathan and I both have a passion for serving God and meeting the needs of the destitute and broken in this world. Our common vision and goal in life was the catalyst that drew us one to another. While volunteering in an impoverished country in Eastern Europe the unexpected happened: we met each other and were surprised to find LOVE. Yet we quickly discerned an issue: DISTANCE. Jonathan lived in California and I in Chicago. We fought against this challenge and made the decision to pursue a friendship. With many long talks on the phone, letters, and traveling back and forth, our friendship blossomed. We did not want to just settle for an ordinary relationship so we asked the tough questions and worked hard in discovering and knowing one another. As time went by, our love for one another grew and became unquenchable. Jonathan asked me to marry him after a two-year courtship and I most certainly agreed. We look with eager anticipation towards the day we will become husband and wife. We are thrilled to enter into the journey and adventure of marriage.

The vision for our wedding is to capture the miracle and beauty of relationship and acknowledge God at the center of it all. Being that both Jonathan and I are unconventional we are planning our wedding as a reflection of our unique personalities. Using one of Chicago’s distinctive urban restaurants as our venue we will create a laid-back intimate lounge environment were people can mingle and interact. At the end of the day, we will be left with sweet memories.

The Dilemma: Customarily, families help in financially providing for the couple and paying all or some of the expenses for a wedding. Jonathan and I don’t have that luxury. Our families have been left with financial limits due to the loss of a parent: my mother and his father. Over a year ago, I moved to California and have been working odd jobs that simply cover basic expenses. Jonathan’s income is our sole resource in paying for the wedding as well as covering costs of living, moving into our marriage. Also, Jonathan and I seek to live within our means and don’t intend to spend that which we do not have. In light of this we are working on a very tight budget.

Furthermore, we do not expect a return from our guests on the big day to compensate for our expenditures and cover costs. We are making the giving of gifts optional as we don’t want anyone to feel the pressure to give—we just want them to be present and celebrate with us. Considering that we are not receiving financial help from family, we are trying to live within our means, and we don’t want our guests to feel any pressure to give. We would be richly blessed if we were to receive this gift from you.

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To recap, the couple who receives the most votes will receive the following:
WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY BY ME AND INCLUDES:
Unlimited wedding day photography coverage
400-600 professional 4×6 prints
400-600 high res images on a disc
(Value $3900)

WEDDING VIDEOGRAPHY BY ZOMEI VP AND INCLUDES:
One videographer
Unlimited wedding day coverage
5 minute HD preview clip posted online
15 minute fully edited highlight clip with music
2-3 hours of edited video
Raw footage of ceremony & toasts
3 DVD’s in custom DVD cases
Slideshow of photographer’s images
(Value $1800)

Ed, of ZoMei VP is my little brother, videographer and owner of Zomei VP. He started shooting weddings last year and has been booking up weddings this year one after another, and rightfully so! He has a pure, RAW talent, and whether he goes overseas on mission trips documenting the efforts of their missions teams or he’s capturing footage of the first dance at a wedding, he pours all of his heart into his work. To visit his blog, click on the following link: phoenix wedding videographer.

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