In the New Year, may your right hand always be stretched out in friendship, and never in want.― Irish toast

How are you celebrating the last 24 hours of 2011? Whether it’s spending time with family and friends, working, traveling, partying, and/or tying up lose ends to make room for 2012, we wish you the best New Year’s Eve yet! May the new year bring much happiness and success!

There are no words to describe how blessed we’ve been this year. We are grateful for our client’s trusting us with their most precious memories, the wonderful and talented vendors we’ve had the pleasure to work with, the mind-blowing supportive online community, those that have believed in our talents and opened windows for amazing opportunities and the cherished friendships we’ve made.

We have chosen 2012 to be a year for us to focus on what matters most, be disciplined in our actions, grow our business in unimaginable ways, give back and find ways to make a difference.

This evening, as we countdown the hours, minutes, and seconds to a new year, we will reflect on what we could have done better this year, where there is room for improvement, and build on these reflections for a stronger vision for 2012!

As for our kiddos, Karina and Jared, they’ve already got a head start on the celebration!

Featuring our clients’ weddings on our blog let’s us relive their special day, but I especially love that it allows us to savor the moments that while documenting weddings may rush by.

You might remember Matt & Alison from their sweet engagement session last March. Their October rustic-elegant wedding was at the lovely Cross Creek Ranch. When Alison told us that her wedding reception would take place in a barn with hundreds of twinkling lights and her wedding colors included razzleberry pink, chocolate brown, and apple green, we were excited to see it all come together.

Although rain threw some challenges our way on Matt and Alison’s wedding day, their romance and love prevailed even under the harshest weather conditions. The Cross Creek Ranch crew were amazingly helpful, even holding umbrellas over Khaled while he shot formals and I positioned family and friends under the barn. Additionally, we couldn’t have asked for a more understanding or sweeter bridal party! The guests had a phenomenal time and the evening celebration went on without a hitch.

Enjoy some of our favorite images from their sweet wedding. The wedding details are all lovely but you MUST check out the groom’s cake. It’s simply a work of art. Created by Matt’s aunt, Gayle.

Wedding gown designer: Robin Jillian
Wedding gown boutique: Jon’s Bridal
Bride’s dress shoes: Nina
Bride’s cowgirl boots: Ariat 
Garter: The Chica Boutique (Etsy)
Bride’s jewelry:  T’s Studio Jewelry (Etsy)
Bride’s hair/make-up: Collective Creation’s - Marissa Bush
Groom’s cake – Groom’s Aunt – Gayle Brown
Wedding cake & cupcakes - Publix
Cake topper – Nicole Clark (Etsy)
Pastor: Mark Saunders from Baylife Church
Wedding Venue: Cross Creek Ranch
Florist: Alta Fleura by Alta McCarthy
Caterer: Hungry Harry’s BBQ
Invitations, Place Cards, Programs – Bride & Groom (DIY)

What an amazing 2011! We’ve worked hard and have been blessed with many new friends, opportunities, and wonderful memories! Hoping 2012 brings many more!

As we prepare this evening to gather with family over a yummy Christmas Eve dinner, share some laughs and tears reminiscing over the year while listening to our favorite Christmas songs, I just want to savor these moments and freeze them in time.

2012 is sure to bring change and undiscovered opportunities to all and faithfully I look forward to celebrating, in-person or virtually with each of you!

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays & New Year from our family to yours!! XOXO!

This quick shot was taken this evening with our camera on a timer, haha!

Since we’re not Santa & we can’t visit all of you, here’s a special message just for you! Be sure to leave Khaled some extra love, it’s his 1st time on video!

Oh, Cancun. I left my heart there. Also my voice, ability to walk and thanks to your amazingness, I’m working today in my comfy pj’s. Covering the unbelievably gorgeous events at Inspire Smart Success Experience over three days could easily equal to covering 6 weddings in the same time frame! I can’t wait to share all the details and images of the last four days!

I met a fabulous group of talented and super-inspiring individuals that have become friends I will treasure forever! Many of the things I was able to do were beyond my imagination, such as ignoring my fear of heights and climbing a wobbly wooden tower with a stunning view of the Caribbean Sea to shoot with Mike Colon- only to almost push him off, accidentally of course. Oh, and lets not forget eating apples with lime-cajun spices (Thanks Lisi), and much, much more! Expect a jam-packed blog post with all the details, beautiful images, and my thoughts on this unforgettable experience!

A HUGE thank you to Stacie Ivers Francombe, Rachel Saito, Jennifer Warwick-Lewis, Jennifer Fisher, Christina Springfield, Shay Bell, Tifany Wunschl, Karl Rouwhorst, Nanette Dorbeck, Ryan Koral, the wonderful staff at Now Sapphire Riviera Cancun and everyone that helped make ISSE happen!

For now, enjoy this little preview brought to you by Epic Motion!

Inspire Smart Success Experience {ISSE} Cancun, Mexico from Epic Motion on Vimeo.