Alyssa Ruth Photography

At the end of June, I returned to Maplehurst to photograph Lily & Xavier’s wedding. I purposefully chose this black & white photo of the ceremony as the first frame (& inspiration for the entire post) because it accurately represents the way in which Lily & Xavier walked through their day with all their attention on God and those around them. A wedding day can very easily & understandably become all about the couple. But what I witnessed instead was the celebratory sharing of an anniversary date with grandparents, a purposefully loose schedule to allow for intentional time with their loved ones, an emphasis on His Word & the passed down words of those who love Him…you could see their Why and it was good. Thank you both for the honor of joining you in this celebration. 🤍

The way Xavier lights up when he’s around Lily 🥹🥹🥹

“MOTHER OF THE BRIDE: May your home be ever a haven of tenderness. May you never retreat from one another in your woundedness. Rather, when you feel most vulnerable, when you feel most hurt, may you learn in those moments most of all, to lean in to your love, holding it all the more precious for the sacrifices it requires.

FATHER OF THE BRIDE: May your shared story be one of courage and creativity, of conviction and compassion as you co-labor in the light of that better kingdom of which you are true citizens. Along your path through this life, may you build together bright beacons, that those generations still to follow might one day walk in your illuminated footprints towards that eternal city.”

—Every Moment Holy

Lily’s bridal portraits, taken 3 weeks before her wedding day 🤍

Last year when I was pregnant, I thought I was cutting it close having our maternity photos done a month out.

Jess has me beat though—we shot these on a Wednesday & her second daughter decided to come the following Tuesday 🤣

Take it from both of us—schedule those maternity sessions for when you’re around 28-32 weeks pregnant. Before you’re sweating nonstop and have swollen ankles hahaha. BUT STILL KNOW if you wait, because the to-do list while pregnant is long, you will still look radiant and beautiful and amazing, like sweet Jess here ☀️

PS—hats off to all the moms, like Jess, who move houses while pregnant. I can’t imagine and pray I never have to do that 🫡 Ok signing back off bye!

As seen in A House to Call Home by 💐🫖📚