Love Revisited: A Heartwarming Retake on their Wedding First Look

By Philadelphia Wedding and Engagement Photographer, Ashley Griffin Photography.

It's no secret that all wedding days don't go according to plan. Sometimes things happen that are outside of our control like the weather, delays or other circumstances. This isn't to say your day isn't what you had always dreamt of, but it can leave you feeling like something was missing. And guess what, it's okay to feel that way! Sometimes fate comes to save us and we meet people who help bring those dreams back to life. That's exactly what happened when I met Nichole and Mark.

Through back and fourth emails I got to know Nichole pretty well and we just clicked! Her vintage -glam vibe spoke to my little photographer heart and I knew immediately we had to make this shoot happen. After going back and fourth to find available dates and locations, Nichole told me she found the perfect spot. Next thing I knew I was on my way to Pittsburgh!

Days before, Nichole and I had been texting about the shoot and she mentioned she was making her own bouquet, but it wasn't quite coming together how she had imagined. As I was driving I saw some beautiful pampas grass on the side of the road. I got out and picked some and decided I was going to make her a bouquet she could keep forever! I ran to the nearest craft store and gathered the supplies to make her dream bouquet. Needless to say we both teared up when I walked in with the bouquet and saw her in her dress. A beautiful vintage inspired gown that would make any pin-up girl's heart flutter. Her pin-curls laid perfectly in place to complete the look.

I went to meet Mark in his Peaky Blinders style pin striped suit. His face was beaming with excitement as we went and prepared for the first look. Once in position I brought down Nichole and placed her behind him. "A Thousand Years" covered by their close friend played on the background as Nichole walked up to Mark. She told him to turn around and let me tell ya there was not a dry eye in the room. Yes, I cried, it was just all too sweet!

This moment they had been waiting for for years finally happened. It was all theirs to have and take in. As much as it stinks when things don't go our way, sometimes there's a reason. A year later on the very day of their first look, I texted Nichole to wish her a happy first look anniversary! Our conversation ended with Nichole stating "you gave us more in that session than we could've ever imagined".