For two months, I had a very funny feeling that I shouldn’t schedule any photo sessions the weekend of July 29. I thought maybe God was trying to tell me that I’d taken on too much and would need a break or that something strange was going to happen. Fortunately, I listened to this little voice because just four weeks before, Miss Laura Walder sent me a message asking if I was available on July 29 and 30 to shoot her wedding!

Laura & Lee were only engaged for five weeks!

Laura Walder and Lee Blume got engaged and planned a wedding in less than a month. Other than eloping, I’m pretty sure that this is the shortest engagement I’ve ever heard of!

A short engagement didn’t prevent the weekend from being beautiful though. Laura, her mom (Lisa), her sisters, and their family and friends thought of everything. From making their own bouquets to all the odds and ends, it was a beautiful weekend. 

I love Apostolic Christian weddings for three reasons:

1. Photos are taken the day before the wedding.

This is a photographer’s dream come true! Rather than squeezing photos in on a very busy day, we took Lee and Laura’s wedding photos on Saturday, and they tied the knot on Sunday. This gave us plenty of time to take photos (probably more time than Lee would’ve liked), and allowed Sunday to focus on what really mattered: a new marriage founded in Christ and Laura and Lee’s friends and family.

2. The bride wears a colored dress.

I think this is so much fun! Rather than wearing a white or ivory dress, most Apostolic Christian brides opt for a colored gown. Laura’s was a beautiful wine color that couldn’t have looked more perfect with her complexion and blonde hair.

3. Marriages are built to bring God glory and entered through prayer and God’s guidance.

I have the utmost admiration for the Apostolic Christian Church’s proposal and engagement process. Rather than dating before getting engaged, the proposal actually comes first.

When an Apostolic man feels God leading him to marriage, the man asks for guidance and for God to reveal whom he should marry. When God gives the man an answer, the man goes to his elder and tells the elder the name of the woman. After prayer and consideration, the elder then goes to the woman to inform her of the proposal, and after prayer and receiving an answer from God, the woman gives her elder an answer. If the answer is no, the proposal remains confidential. If the answer is yes, the engagement is announced during a church service, and the couple typically marries within a few months.

There will never be a dull moment in the Blume house.

Laura and Lee are a hoot and a half. Both Saturday and Sunday were filled with slightly sarcastic comments, teasing, and lots of laughter and giggles. Both the bride and groom come from wonderful, loving families, and it is very exciting to see the Blume and Walder families become family.

A special thanks to Michaela of Byrd’s Eye Photo.

I want to give a special shout out to Michaela Blanding of Byrd’s Eye Photo from Wolcott, Indiana. I was afraid I wasn’t going to be able to find a second shooter on such short notice, but Michaela stepped up and did a fabulous job. Plus, she’s also Lee’s cousin! Check out Michaela, and her fiance’s work on their website.

Thank you, Lee & Laura, for allowing us to capture your special day!

Mr. and Mrs. Blume, it was an honor to capture your wedding weekend for you! My prayer for you is that as your family grows, you will always remember that marriage was designed to bring God glory. Congratulations to the new Mr. and Mrs.!  

Victoria Rayburn Photography is a Lafayette, Indiana family photographer, wedding photographer, and senior photographer who strives to make photo sessions enjoyable memories and help clients feel comfortable in front of the camera.

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