Aline Marin Photography - Wedding Photographer Atlanta - Weddings Couples Engagements - Boho - Vintage - Little River Farms Wedding Venue-83.JPG

Ava and Colin share such a beautiful and special connection. Their wedding day was filled with an amazing energy, lots of hugs, laughter and tears. One of their most special moments to me was when she walked down the aisle and her entire family gave her "away" to Colin. So beautiful! I couldn't have been more excited for them! They were special from our very first phone call. Ava, always so sweet! I wish these gorgeous love birds an amazing life with so many great adventures ahead!! Ava shares a little about their story, enjoy!!

Colin and Ava met at a game night hosted by one of their mutual friends during the summer of 2009. Although they had both attended Florida A&M University ( Ava had already graduated and Colin was still a student) they had never crossed paths before and that night he caught her eye!

“We didn’t interact much that night other than a few glances. About six weeks later the same mutual friend invited us both out for happy hour and we connected immediately. Several of us ended up hanging out as a group that night and the two of us shamelessly flirted for the rest of the evening.” Ava said.

Ava: One of the many things that I love about Colin is that he truly brings out the best in me. When we began dating we experienced many firsts together and enjoyed going on new adventures with each other.I have found that my favorite moments are when we are spending time alone, enjoying each other’s company and Colin creates his own playlist of his favorite ballads and love songs for us. This is what makes our wedding hashtag – #TheDillardDuet – perfect for us! I absolutely love Colin’s sense of loyalty. It was one of the first character traits that drew me to him once we started getting to know one another. When I first met Colin I was in my mid-20s and still healing from the sudden passing of my mother. I was just beginning to truly discover myself and my likes and dislike. As amazing as we like to think we are, as humans, we carry many flaws and mine began to shine brightly early on in our relationship. Colin showed me what encompasses unconditional love and has stood my my side when I was at my worst. Ironically, I realized he was one after we had a huge fight and he was still there by my side. A lesser man would not have stayed around to get to know the real me and he showed me I could always count on him. I could not have asked for a better partner.Christmas of 2016 was the first Christmas since the passing of my father earlier that year. Colin and I made plans to spend the holiday with his family in Chicago. I had visited his home many times before, but never at Christmas. As excited as I was, I was filled with mixed emotions and felt sad as well since this would be my first Christmas since both of my parents has passed away.We flew into Chicago the morning of Christmas Eve and his mother picked us up to drive us to their home. She told us she needed to run some errands Downtown and I thought nothing of it. The parking deck we used was right across the street from the Willis Tower (formerly the Sears Tower) and she asked had I ever been and was if I up to visit. I was excited to act like a tourist for the morning and Colin told me he hadn’t been since he was in grade school. We ventured to the 103rd floor to the Sky Deck and viewed the city and beyond, as far as the eye could see. Before we left, he suggested we stop at The Ledge – a 4 foot glass box that juts out on the side of the building, 1,353 in the air. As I gathered my nerves and stepped out on the platform I hurriedly tried to takeaway few pictures and failed to notice Colin was down on one knee behind me. Before I knew it, he was proposing to me and asked me to share the rest of my life with him as his wife.I was shocked and in complete awe; I always assumed I would know when he was going to pop the question. Although we had been together for 7 years and had discussed marriage and getting engaged – the proposal itself was a very pleasant and unexpected surprise.

Their wedding venue Little River Farms is amazing as well and really made their day even more perfect! The great light and views and vibes, I just love it there!! Do not forget to scroll down until the very end for a full list of vendors. Enjoy their pictures and leave them some love at the end of the blog! -Love, A.