Orlando Wedding | Sofia + Mike

You just never know what will happen when you meet someone!

Last year I decided to hold Fall Mini Sessions for anyone who wanted a short, inexpensive portrait session. I also thought it would be fun to do a giveaway, so I marketed for a week or so. And you will never guess who the winner was!!! Mhmmm. Sofia and Mike! But, it doesn't end how you think it will (nothing ever does).

Sofia told me that she recently had professional photos taken and wanted engagement photos to be next (she was not yet engaged at this point, in case you were confused). She ended up gifting the mini session to her brother and dear sister-in-law, Isaac and Rachel, who needed some updated pictures since their wedding five years ago. (Side note: I know this blog post is about Sofia and Mike, but I also have to just take a moment to brag on Isaac and Rachel, because, next to Sofia and Mike they are some of the sweetest people you will ever meet. And now they are expecting!!! Ahhh, I know! So stay tuned for their maternity photos which will be on the blog soon.)

Shortly after the mini sessions, I received another message from Sofia letting me know that she was now engaged and ready to get those engagement photos done. After booking with me, we got to enjoy planning her wedding day timeline as well as her dreamy engagement session at St. Sebastian River State Park.

A few months before the wedding, however, the unexpected coronavirus "took over the world," and sweet Sofia and Mike had to make quite a few alterations to their wedding. We kept hoping and praying that it would pass quickly, and while it did not fully pass, they were still able to have the friends and family that meant the most to them at their wedding. It was much smaller than expected, but turned out to be such a fun and intimate celebration at Mike's home church in Winter Garden, FL.

It was so touching to watch Sofia and Mike's loved ones rally around them and make June 6th, 2020 the best day of their lives. As you can see from the images below, they were all smiles, excited to begin their new life together as one.

Sofia and Mike, I'm struggling to find words to express just how blessed and honored I was to be your wedding photographer. The way that you handled all the unexpected changes during wedding planning was so graceful and joyful. I know things did not turn out exactly how you envisioned, but I think it turned out even better, because it shed light on the love you have for each other, for Christ, and for those around you. It was a reminder, especially to me, about the true meaning behind weddings that I think the world has forgotten over time. It is about the commitment and unconditional devotion towards the one you love and want to spend the rest of your life with. I pray that these photos bless your marriage for years to come. You guys are amazing and I'm so blessed I have gotten to know you more over the course of the past year.