Lois & Alan | Wedding Photography | Pelican Grand Beach Resort | Fort Lauderdale, Florida

With every wedding I photograph, I feel blessed and honored to be trusted with telling my couple’s love story. But, this love story holds an extra special place in my heart. Planning, coordinating, photographing and being the maid of honor for my mother’s wedding was something I never thought would happen. But, there is no one more deserving of love and a beautiful wedding than my mother.

I admire my mom so much. As a single mother of two little girls, she dedicated her life to raising her children. Sacrificing her own wants, needs and happiness to provide her children with the best possible life she could. She has been my rock in times of trouble, she has always been there to lift me up when I fall down, and she has always been there to encourage and support my dreams. Having her as my mother is the most amazing gift in the world. Now that I am grown and in a wonderful relationship of my own, I knew it was time for my mom to start making herself and her happiness a priority. For my mom, finding love again was not something she thought would ever be in the cards for her. She felt as if her time had passed. Being a hopeless romantic myself, I called BS on that and took her love life into my own hands. I made her a JDate profile and after her resistance to even take a look at who was on there, I decided I would just pick three guys for her and message them myself.

I remember when I first read Al’s profile. I instantly felt he could potentially be a great fit for her. But, he was bald. My mom specifically said she had enough bad experiences with bald men that she wants a guy with hair this time. So, I X’ed out of it and continued looking. After about 5 minutes, I could not help but go back to his profile. I messaged Al. I told him that I would love to talk and get to know him better. Not long after, he wrote back. I then told my mom that she had to take it from there.

They decided to meet up at Cheesecake Factory for dinner the following week. I anxiously waited for her to call me after her date. Hours went by and I started worrying. She called me right when she got in the car and I could hear in her voice she was smiling from ear to ear. As they continued to date, I noticed a kind of happiness from my mom that I have never seen in my life. She was glowing and smiling everyday. This man was giving my mother not only the gift of love, but of true deep happiness. Al loves and treats my mom how I’ve always dreamt a man would. He see’s her beauty inside and out. Watching their love grow stronger and deeper over the past year has made me so happy. He has made all of my mom’s dreams come true.

When my mom asked me to help her plan and photograph her Sunday brunch wedding, I already knew all of the vendors that I couldn’t wait to work with. The first stop was to choose a venue. The Pelican Grand Beach Resort was on the top of my list. I took them there first to check it out. When they walked into the ballroom overlooking the ocean, they both lit up. The room was light and airy, had floor to ceiling windows, beautiful chandeliers and the most incredible ocean view. I knew this was going to be their venue when they both started slow dancing on the dance floor. Next, we went to Wonderland Bridal to find her dream dress. I have worked with the girls at Wonderland before so I knew they would give my mom an amazing dress shopping experience. She found a stunning Stella York gown that made her feel beautiful. When it came to the flowers, I knew Julia Rhode would work her magic to give us the beautiful soft garden look we were envisioning. Earth & Sugar baked the most delicious red velvet cake that was so beautiful we didn’t want to cut into it. My mom’s hair and makeup was flawless thanks to Hair & Makeup I do. I also must give recognition to my second shooter, Arielle, from Arielle Images. Arielle is the best second shooter I have ever worked with. She did such an incredible job helping me and taking over as lead shooter during some of the day so I could also enjoy and be a part of my mom’s wedding. I could not have pulled it all off without her. My mother’s wedding day was perfect! Everything came together flawlessly. Watching both my mom and step dad smiling from ear to ear, so happy and in love on their wedding day, shows us that it’s never too late to find the one.