Meet Mimi & Tobie, these two little rays of sunshine are more special than they could imagine. When we first met, they both seemed so shy. I wasn’t sure that they would like me with my crazy bubbly personality. But I am glad I didn’t scare them off. :) I love connecting with my couples before their wedding for several reasons, but mostly just to get to know each other. I remember Tobie telling us on their wedding day that he was so happy that we would be there that he wasn’t worried about a thing and knew that everything would be great! It meant the world to us! Mimi turned out to not be as shy as I thought, she is an incredible newly certified yoga instructor who carries a smile everywhere she goes! I just love her! And the fact she insisted for me to eat cake in her wedding and stood there making sure I did, hahah it was delicious Mimi. We are so stoked to get to meet couples like them who turn out to be people we just want to hangout with and become friends! I hope you all enjoy their awesome wedding ceremony and reception, held at Barnsley Resort. It was absolutely fantastic!!

See their engagement shoot here.

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While weddings continue to get bigger and grander, we wanted ours to stay grounded in the organic nature of love. Our inspiration was the raw beauty of nature and all the love that resides in it. I imagined a castle in the forest, abandoned hundreds of years ago, overgrown with nature, creating its own beauty in the ruins. As it grows, it continues to add to the unspoken beauty. For my wedding dress, I was drawn to a more timeless, free spirited, bohemian style. I was looking up different boho designers, and stumbled upon Daughters of Simone. After reading the quote on their website, I knew I would be wearing one of their dresses. “Romance and Antique Lace, Blossom trees and Billowy Sleeves… this is what young love should feel like.” I found a local bridal boutique, The Sentimentalist, and sure enough, I walked out with a Daughters of Simone gown. There was no second guessing, no crying, I just knew it was my dress. For my wedding hair, I didn’t know exactly what I wanted. I always wear my hair down in waves, and I wanted to keep that look for the wedding. My hairdresser took my personality and the vision of the wedding and created a beautiful earthy version of my wavy down do.

When it came to wedding rings, I think Tobie was more indecisive than I was! I just wanted a simple gold wedding band to compliment my engagement ring, as we used my grandmother’s diamond. Tobie wanted something unique, something special, something he would love looking at everyday of his life, and he found it, because he never takes it off!

The wedding day was beautiful! It goes by in the blink of an eye. With so many things to do, there will always be minor hiccups, but here’s the secret: nobody will ever notice those minor hiccups, so just enjoy yourself!

-Mimi

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Seeing Tobie at our first look, I couldn’t stop laughing. I wasn’t nervous, I wasn’t scared, I had no regrets. I was so overwhelmed with happiness knowing that my best friend was about to become my husband, that I couldn’t stop laughing. Tobie brings me joy every second of every day, and I was experiencing an outpour of that joy in laughter and smiles.

The most special moment of the wedding for me was the repection. Seeing my family and friends and Tobie’s family and friends come together as one joyous group was a beautiful moment. No matter how different we all are, everyone came together in happiness.

Oh, and the food at the reception definitely helped make it the most special moment for me! I think we’re starting a new trend of a Sunday brunch reception. -Mimi

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Messages from Mimi:

To Tobie:

It took one winter day in January for everything to change. It took one chilly walk in Piedmont Park to feel new warmth. It took one homemade latte to start an endless conversation. It took one friendship to birth a lifetime of love.

Tobie, I don’t know what else to say other than I love you. You have brought me more happiness in the past couple of years than I’ve experienced in my entire life. You’re not only a great husband, but also an amazing best friend.

Love, Bear

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To my mom:

Mom, despite denying it years upon years, I’ll finally say it: you were right. In middle school you said a more natural look shows more beauty than 50 pounds of eyeliner; yea, you were right. You told me I’d realize there’s more to music than the Spice Girls; yea, you were right. You said there’d be a time when I would get tired of living across the country; yea, you were right. You were right when you said that love will come when you least expect it. You were right when you said everything happens for a reason. Despite fighting it, you were right that the “Mimi & Tobie” sign would look great at the reception. You’re right, you’ve always been right. I love you and I appreciate everything about you every day of my life, even your singing.

PS, You were wrong about one thing: “Thank you” in Dutch is “dank je”, not “taco”.

Love, Mimi

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Man was I nervous. I don’t think there was enough time in the world to prepare myself for the first look. No matter how many times I reassured myself that I am a strong, confident, brave man, there was still that tidal wave of emotions that hit me harder than Mike Tyson in the 12th round. I guess I am just appreciative that I didn’t get knocked out, haha.

There was Mimi: beautiful, smiling wide, secretly hoping she sees me cry for the first time. She meant business. At that moment I felt a familiar feeling, something I had almost forgotten; a feeling of nostalgia, like how It felt back in middle school to sneak out of class to go hold a girl’s hand for the very first time. The first look was a refreshing slap in the face from my subconscious, finally pulling me out of nervous thought to grasp how awesome that day was going to be. There was an epiphany: Mimi was officially standing as my bride, and it felt awesome. I would probably have to say that the first look was the most special moment for me, considering it took me almost three days to write this, haha!

- Tobie