Written by Candace on November 12, 2013 | 6 Comments

Elias+Yuris
Old Town Alexandria Engagement

Elias and Yuris both knew each other before they knew the other person knew. Make sense? Let me explain.

Elias was the older brother of one of Yuris’ close friends, but she assumed he didn’t know she even existed. In reality though, he had already noticed her when their paths fatefully crossed one morning at church. While the future was unknown to them, God was at work behind the scenes bringing these two together.

They eventually ended up on the same praise team. And while praise team was meant for singing, which they did, it was also the first time Yuris and Elias spoke to each other. It must have made an impression because Elias conveniently offered Yuris a ride home from one of their recording sessions. In fact, it became their thing. He would drive her home and they would talk. Their rides somehow took longer and their conversations grew deeper. Then one memorable night they talked for so long they were both embarrassed by how late it had gotten without them noticing. They bashfully said their goodbyes but inside they were smiling.

It was a turning point in their relationship. If they weren’t together in person, they were constantly on each others minds. And before long, they were officially dating.

We photographed Yuris and Elias’ engagement photos in the beautiful Old Town of Alexandria, Virginia. The town has so much character and charm just like Yuris and Elias. Having booked us over email, this was our very first time meeting the happy couple. And after only a few minutes chatting over tea, we couldn’t believe such special people had chosen us to be their wedding photographers. We were a match made in heaven and we are thrilled to be photographing their wedding this coming April back in Virginia. It can’t get here soon enough!

Yuris and Elias, my heart was bursting at the seams as I began selecting our favorites for this post. Your love is so sweet and evident in each one! Thank you for all of the laughs! And thank you for giving us the honor and sincere pleasure of being your wedding photographers. Congratulations! Enjoy this very special time in life. Love to you both!

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Written by Candace on October 31, 2013 | 4 Comments

Our First Date

Back in October of 2004, I had braces and Vitaliy had a unibrow. That doesn’t really relate to the story that much, but I wanted to paint the picture for you.

At that time, we were just friends which may have had to do with the braces and unibrow. But more than likely, it had to do with our very first meeting and Vitaliy thinking I was a little crazy. Anyway, our go-to hangout spot was Border’s on Michigan Avenue in downtown Chicago. We’d either look through photography books together or plays cards.

Vitaliy had taught me a Russian card game called Durak. It quickly became a favorite and we played it all the time. One day we decided to take our competition to a new level and made a bet. Whoever lost the next round of Durak had to treat the other person to dinner. Vitaliy always lost so I knew the odds were in my favor.

A few days later, I found myself on the L headed to China Town. Vitaliy had lost and was taking me to get Korean. I remember being a nervous wreck inside. I could tell that our sweet and safe friendship was beginning to take a turn towards something more romantic which in my mind was petrifying. Though I didn’t feel ready to be in a relationship, I also didn’t want to stop hanging out with Vitaliy. We joked about him losing the bet, but I could tell this was a real date. And for the first time ever I felt nervous around him.

A couple years ago, Vitaliy and I were talking about this dinner. Over the years, we’ve often wondered the date of this fateful night. Then out of nowhere, Vitaliy came across an old receipt from our favorite Korean restaurant in Chicago. I had my doubts, I mean who has a receipt from 9 years ago? Vitaliy does! I shouldn’t have been surprised, he’s a pretty sentimental guy. Sure enough, it was the receipt from our very first date. And that’s when we discovered it was on Halloween.

Along with today being Halloween, it is also the 9 year anniversary of our first date. Vitaliy likes to remind me that it was 9 years ago today that I used chopsticks for the first time. I suppose his romantic sentimental side is a bit selective.

So, Happy Halloween to you! And happy first date to us! Does these mean I get to eat extra amounts of candy to celebrate? I know it does mean we need some kimchi in our life today.

Candace dressed up as Cat Stevens and Vitaliy dressed up as a cowboy

These were our five minute Halloween costumes this year. Can you guess who I am?

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Written by Candace on October 30, 2013 | 7 Comments

Making Things Happen

Vitaliy and I just took our last foreseen trip of the year and I couldn’t be happier to be home, sleep in my own bed, and get back to a normal routine.

A few months ago, Vitaliy and I tried to decide how to celebrate turning 30. After brainstorming, we mutually decided on attending the Making Things Happen conference. We wanted to start this new decade with a plan and a purpose. And we wanted to make an investment in ourselves. MTH fulfilled both of these expectations.

Since returning home, I have tried multiple times to explain to people what MTH actually is from an attendee’s perspective. And to be honest, I still don’t feel like I have a concrete explanation. Nor do I feel like the ones I’ve given have done it justice. It’s also very difficult to describe all that I feel I gained from attending. The one thing I do know is that this is the first conference I left knowing without a doubt it was worth my investment.

The funniest thing about the conference is that Vitaliy was one of three men out of about 60 attendees. And this is a conference that basically requires transparency and vulnerability. And in a room full of mainly women, there were a lot of tears. A lot. But he rolled with it all and left with everything he hoped to get out of it, and more. I did as well.

And I will leave it at that! Instead of sharing everything I learned, I want to get to doing everything I learned. And I hope it reflects here and encourages all of you.

Big thanks to Lara Casey, Emily Ley, Gina Zeidler, and all the other amazing speakers and volunteers! Making Things Happen is a real gift to so many. I’m happy to be a recipient of your stories, experience and wisdom. Thank you for continuing to give and give.

Making things happen 2013 notebook and Southern Weddings magazine

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