Joanna + Eric

Cue the sweetness.

“A Proposal Story”

On the day I got back from visiting my family in the Bahamas, we went back to Downtown Durham for dinner. After dinner, we walked over to 21C to visit the latest art exhibit. While we were making up our own interpretations of the exhibits, Eric walked a couple of paces behind me. When I wondered why he was so quiet, I looked behind me and he was down on one knee. I screamed, laughed, shouted “YES,” and we were engaged.  – Joanna

Joanna & Eric are one of those couples that to know them is to love them. They are incredibly kind, compassionate, and their smiles and warmth just makes you feel like you’ve been friends for life! But guys, you know the story that won me over…their first date.  They had decided to visit the 21C Museum in Durham, North Carolina where they are from. Joanna described the date perfectly! “He made up his own interpretation to the art, and so did I. There were laughs. We didn’t want to leave.”

Afterwards, they headed over to an ice cream parlor. “That’s when we thought, “We could choose to be ‘stuck’ with each other forever!”  I just loved that story. Guys, I will be your 3rd wheel any day of the week. Ha Ha!

But as a wedding photographer, I notice all the little things. The way they look at each other, the way he leads her, the way she waits on him with love. There was so much love in the unspoken moments and to be present to witness that kind of love is a blessing.

The day before the wedding we met up to do a quick tour of their wedding venue, The Moore Building in the Miami Design District and then headed over for a quick coffee date at one of my favorite spots, the Salty Donut in Wynwood, Miami. We chatted about life and their beautiful daughter Sienna!

Those moments flowed into their wedding day seamlessly. Despite anything that may have been going on around them, they both had a sweet peace about them that peace and love overflowed to everyone that surrounded them.

As everyone else was buzzing around, Sweet Sienna fell sound asleep in her grandmother’s arms as she accompanied mommy to meet daddy down the aisle. Be still my heart. These are the moments of the day, I’m so grateful to capture.

We arrived to the Miami Design District and as we entered, a sea of garden roses lined the stairs and flowed into a mirrored aisle with the most stunning floral installation hung from the ceiling of the Moore Building to bring your eyes right to center stage where Joanna and Eric would say, “I do.” It doesn’t get any dreamier!

Little pieces of their stories woven into every moment of their wedding day. From the wedding venue and literally being surrounded by art to their something blue…

Thank you Joanna & Eric for trusting me to be a part of your incredible wedding day! Cheers to a lifetime of romance, joy & love! Xo

Wedding Team:

Planning & Concept Designer: Forever Events | @fe_foreverevents 

Floral, Design, Decor:  Birch Event Design | @bircheventdesign 

Wedding Photographer: Erica Melissa | @ericamelissa_ 

Catering: Creative Edge Parties | @creativeedgeparties 

Entertainment: @dwp_live_factory 

Venue: The Moore Building

Dress: Pronovias | @pronovias 

Hair: Bebe Michelle | @iambebemichelle 

Makeup Artist: Natasha Gross | @natashagrossmakeupartist 

Bridal Stylist: Vainglorious Brides | @vaingloriousbrides 

Cake: Sweet Guilt by Angelica | @sweetguiltbyangelica 

Video: Auguro Weddings | @auguroweddings

Production: PSID Group | @psidgroup 

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