“I’m so glad a weirdo like you chose to fall in love with a weirdo like me.”- Kim Gallina

My heart is bursting at the seams just thinking about this wedding. And the tears are STILL streaming down my face as I look through these pictures and feel so much love radiate from them. This weekend, I had the absolute honor of being a part of Kim and Jim’s Lake Valhalla Club Wedding. 

When you come across two people like Kim and Jim, no matter if you’re a friend, family member, co-worker, or like me, a vendor turned friend, you just don’t let go. These two are quite possibly the happiest, most down to earth couple I’ve ever met, and if anyone needed any proof that two people can be destined to be together, they wouldn’t have to look any further than simply glancing at these two. They truly, truly have a one-of-a-kind love.  If you missed their engagement post, you can check it out here– it’s one of my absolute favorites. 

Geeze. I’m crying already just writing this.

Anyway. The day started at the Hyatt in Morristown, where Kim got ready with her mom and her girls.  The love in that room- the joy- the laughter- was so contagious as everyone celebrated their Kimmy getting ready to marry the love of her life. After hair and make-up finished up, Kim, her sisters, her mother and I went to Lake Valhalla where she would put her dress on and get ready for her first look with Jim. When she stepped into the dress all eyes in the room were on her. She was stunning. An earthly princess, complete with tulle and the perfect hair and most beautiful freckles in the world.

 

I went downstairs to check on Jim and he was finishing up his vows. They were to read them privately to each other during their portraits and I couldn’t wait for that moment. He got situated on the docks out on the lake and Kim couldn’t wait to see him. After a crazy wedding morning, I knew that the second they got together any ounce of stress would melt away. 

So now I struggle to find the words to describe this incredible moment. I had Jim turn around before Kim got to him and I couldn’t be happier we did. Jim literally RAN to her with arms wide open, the biggest smile I’ve ever see and tears streaming down his face simultaneously. Thinking about this is just making me cry all over again!  They shared hugs and kisses and tears and I’m so beyond thankful I got to be there to witness this moment of a lifetime. It’s a first look I will never ever forget.

Once everyone, including me, wiped away tears, we roamed around the property taking portraits. Since there were so may club members around we decided it best to find a nice shady spot away from the chaos. The sun was diffusing through the trees beautifully and I’m so glad we found this spot! Towards the end of portraits, they read their vows to each other and I literally needed a towel to wipe my tears this time because one tissue wasn’t going to cut it.

At the end of Jim’s vows, he quoted Adam Sandler, and it couldn’t have been more fitting.

“I wanna make you smile whenever you’re sad
Carry you around when your arthritis is bad
All I wanna do is grow old with you
I’ll get your medicine when your tummy aches
Build you a fire if the furnace breaks
Oh it could be so nice, growing old with you
I’ll miss you
Kiss you
Give you my coat when you are cold
Need you
Feed you
Even let ya hold the remote control
So let me do the dishes in our kitchen sink
Put you to bed if you’ve had too much to drink
I could be the man who grows old with you
I wanna grow old with you”

When Kim got just one line into her vows, she said she couldn’t do it. She was too choked up, but Jim encouraged her she was doing great, and was so excited to hear them and that she COULD do it. And then, as if it were planned, her vows spoke about how encouraging he was for her to chase her dreams and do things she thought were impossible. Like running marathons. Kim thought it was an impossible feat, but with Jim’s constant encouragement, she gained the confidence to run it! And then, she said, “I’m so glad a weirdo like you chose to fall in love with a weirdo like me.” and I think my heart melted somewhere in the grass and shade of the trees we were under.

 

The ceremony was equally incredible out on the lake and then the party kicked off with a bang.  Kim and Jim made literally EVERY detail of this wedding and when I walked into the reception space my mind was literally blown. Never in my life have a met a couple so creative, talented, and in sync with each other. Kim meticulously designed every table and it came out perfect. They painted signs, made favors, and collected bottles for the centerpieces. Kim even made the painted the script on the hangers that held the bridesmaids dresses. These two are truly talented. And if you saw their blog post from their engagement session you already know they are ridiculously creative.

 

And as if all of this wasn’t enough to make me cry, when I hugged the wedding party goodbye (after taking lots of selfies with them), Kim’s sister hugged me and said “You weren’t a vendor today, or even a friend. You were a part of our family, and I’m so glad my sister found you and had you here to capture this perfect day and this perfect love.” And then, I of course cried all the way home.

So needless to say, I could go on forever talking about these two and this incredible wedding. My heart is full, and I hope you enjoyed hearing their love story.

I can’t thank the incredible vendors enough who made this day beautiful and incredible and everything Kim and Jim hoped for.

VENUE: Lake Valhalla Club
VIDEOGRAPHER: Offbeat Productions
FLORIST: Scott A. Designs
CAKE ARTIST: Palermo Bakery
DJ: Offbeat Productions
Makeup and Hair Artist: Facez +  Leah DeGiulio
Bridesmaids Dresses: Joanna August
Tuxes: J. Crew
Bridal Gown:  Purchased from I do I do Bridal in Morristown
Dress Designer: Maggie Sottero
Dress name: Phyllis
Stationery: Home and Anchor
Officiant: Jim’s friend: Christopher Buckley
Save the date: HenryJamesPaperGoods : Etsy

And my amazing second photographer Gricel! Thank you for rocking this day with me!!