Hey friends! We are taking a break from unpacking boxes to share a love story with you all that has inspired us greatly. It is fitting that it is such a drizzly day today in Bowling Green. This weather is not unlike what we had for Justin and Nathan’s day yet it was one of the warmest experiences we’ve had the of being a part of.
We had actually first photographed these two as they danced the night away at a wedding of one of our other dear couples (shout out to Caitlin and Luke for the referral!). Little did we know that they had framed a candid photograph we had taken and had it proudly displayed in their home. Apparently in fact it was their only framed *candid* and that fact played a major role in them booking Sur la Lune! At the time, Justin and Nathan had just started their blog “Becoming Husbands” which I highly recommend you check out. They have chronicled their decisions as an engaged gay couple planning a wedding and buying a home. They even highlight each of their proposals to one another (grab your tissues before you start the videos, seriously!). They quickly felt like old friends and we had been invested in their story ever since.
They met while auditioning for the same role on the cast of Dolly Parton’s 9 to 5: The Musical. Justin got the part but Nathan didn’t let that bother him too much. They became friends and bonded over shared interests in theatre, music, and the arts. Shortly after the show closed, Nathan invited Justin to to see the Nashville Symphony play the score of West Side Story but officially as a date. To quote Justin:
“I never believed in the whole “you just know” theory, but within a matter of weeks, I found myself saying, “He’s the one, I just know.” He is the kindest, most compassionate, caring human being I have ever known and I can truly say that his heart is even more beautiful than that curly hair.” (Okay you are going to need those tissues now probably).
Days before the wedding, they made a quick trip to Bowling Green to meet up for dinner. The idea was to go over details but really our conversation became more about all of the big emotions surrounding a wedding day. You could tell that they had a lot invested in this experience and I don’t just mean in the obvious ways. Beyond the details and all of the planning, they wanted it to be a celebration of their love story and their chosen family. They wanted their values, love of music, art, food, and style to really shine through. They wanted something grand, beautiful, and emotional– which is what they deserve. I squeezed them tight and told them that the “celebration starts now.” They left visibly more relaxed and wrote the sweetest post on their facebook page.
When it came to the big day, I don’t think you could stress them out if you tried. It rained and rained… and rained. I don’t think it ever stopped raining until the send off. We took portraits in the limited covered areas we had access to and ushers shuffled people around under umbrellas. Everyone really just embraced the experience and laughed it off. Inside Ruby, they had a gorgeous candle-lit ceremony and their vows even spoke of facing storms together. I loved that they stepped back out with me after the ceremony for some romantic shots under their parrot-head-handle umbrella. They had finally become husbands and that was all that mattered.
Extra reasons we love this wedding: how they sweetly practiced their first dance before getting dressed, the number of hugs, their gorgeous blue tuxes, Justin helping everyone (including Nathan) with their bow tie, their fun-loving and talented bridal party, the mix of modern and natural elements in their wedding aesthetic, the epic walk down the aisle, the emotional toasts, the surprise performance Justin arranged for Nathan, and nonstop dancing thanks to the Downtown Band.
Justin and Nathan, we are still so overjoyed you chose us as your documentarians for this epic and emotional day. We wish you the best in your many adventures and happy lives as husbands!
