Lea Anne and Craig connected online, but in this small world, it turned out that a lot of Lea Anne’s best friends worked with Craig at a restaurant in Commerce while attending the University of Georgia. Fate or what?! When Craig proposed to Lea Anne, he decided to pop the question in front of their friends and family during his housewarming party. Lea Anne and Craig now share this home together. How sweet is it that the memory of such a special moment lives where they are building a future together? Lea Anne and Craig are close with their families and are a social couple. They enjoy trying new restaurants together while being in the company of their loved ones. So, it was so perfect that he chose the moment he did to ask Lea Anne to marry him..surrounded by family and friends. When it came time to wedding plan, Lea Anne and Craig really thought about their journey down the aisle and how they wanted to start their lives together. And what felt right was an intimate adventure. Fun with friends and family, travel, new experiences, and a traditional wedding with a tropical flare. They were drawn to St. Lucia for it’s beautiful scenery. And it’s easy to see why!
Around 30 of their close friends and family traveled from Atlanta to St. Lucia to see these two tie the knot, including myself! Lea Anne and I originally met through my old job as an account executive. We’ve kept in touch and when she reached out to me to be her wedding photographer and I was absolutely honored. Also, we are now neighbors living about 5 minutes away from each other! But, 2,000 miles we went to paradise at the Sandals Grande St. Lucia Resort!
Although I have spent time with Lea Anne, I had not spent any time with Lea Anne and Craig together, and I loved being able to do that during this trip (before and after the wedding). One of my favorites things about these two are their subtle glances towards each other. If their love language wasn’t physical touch at the time or they were busy mingling with friends you could still find their love language appear in a really small and impactful way. It was in a loving glance and a smile from the across the room. it’s a moment that lingers in the air between them and anyone around them that happens to catch it (me!) but, it’s done in such a way that I imagine makes the other feel like the only person in the room. It’s a look that says so much without saying anything at all.
It rained quite a bit when we arrived, but on their wedding day the summer breeze swept across the island and bright blue skies hovered over it’s beautiful scenery. The sun began to set as they said their vows in a little white chapel with an island style roof and a glass floor, which sat right over the water. There were lots of cheers, tears and smiles. Wild horses roamed just outside the gate of the resort, vibrant and beautiful flower and trees painted the island in color. Their closest friends and family were there by their side and plenty more who were sending so much love from Atlanta. They danced the night away under tea lights and bright stars at their open air reception. The newlyweds sent a lantern off together over the sea as their wedding day came to a close, but the adventure only just beginning. It was an honor to capture this journey for them! I captured some shots of them enjoying the island before and after the wedding day as this trip was more than just a special day. It was the journey of a lifetime.
Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Campbell!
Abby Byrd is a wedding and portrait photographer based out of Atlanta specializing in joyful film photography