October 19th 2024: What a perfect day it was! The weather was absolutely gorgeous—just right for an October wedding, which, I’ll admit, has a special place in my heart since it’s the month Ross, my husband, and I said our vows. Autumn seems to bring an extra touch of magic to the air, and that magic was certainly present for Rylan and Kelsey’s wedding.

Rylan and Kelsey are one of those couples who just radiate love and warmth. From the moment I met them, I knew their love story was something special. They chose to get married at Agape Ranch in Denham Springs, and it was the perfect venue for their celebration. The ranch is breathtaking, with its rustic charm and serene beauty. Kelsey, being from Texas, instantly fell in love with the venue—and I can’t blame her! There’s something so peaceful about the open space and the 18 horses that roam the property. I even got to pet a few! I made sure to wear my boots, so I blended right in with the ranch vibe (and avoided taking any little horse “gifts” home on my shoes).

I first met Rylan and Kelsey at Pride 2023. Kelsey was signing a T-shirt I had brought for the crowd to sign. Rylan was standing there, just watching her with so much love in his eyes. It was a sweet moment that really stuck with me. I couldn’t help myself—I turned to him and asked, “Are you two together?” He nodded, and I pointed to my ring finger and asked if he had put a ring on it yet. He grinned and said not yet, but he was planning to soon. I gave him my business card and told him to reach out to me when the time came. And sure enough, he did! I’m beyond thrilled to have officiated their wedding, helping them officially start this beautiful new chapter of their lives.

The night before the wedding, I had the pleasure of talking with one of Rylan’s moms, Amber. She is such a kind, loving woman with a heart full of pride for her son. You could see the joy beaming from her when she talked about him. She shared the sweetest story with me: When Rylan brought Kelsey home to meet the family, Amber knew right away that this was the one for him. She even gave him his grandmother’s diamond to propose with—a beautiful symbol of love and family that’s now part of their new beginning. Here is the beautiful couple with Rylan’s mom, Amber, on the left.

One of the most memorable moments of the day was Kelsey’s request for the couple’s first look. She wanted Rylan to see her for the very first time that day as she walked down the aisle. It was a beautiful and heartfelt idea, and I was so honored to help make it happen. As Rylan stood with me at the altar, with his back to the crowd, I could tell he was eager to sneak a peek at his children too. So, I gave him little hints: “Look at your son,” I whispered. “Now, do you want to see your daughter?” And finally, “Okay, now it’s time to see your bride.” The love and emotion on his face as he turned and saw Kelsey for the first time was simply priceless. I think we all felt the power of that moment.

Kelsey did a first look for some of the members of her family and this is a sweet shot I captured of her daughter, Evelyn, watching from the porch. This little sweet nugget has so much sunshine in her. I love being present to these sweet moments as the wedding draws near.

Seriously, the entire day was just perfect. The setting, the décor, the joy that filled the air—everything was magical. At the reception, I had the pleasure of meeting Amber’s father, Kim, and his wife, Helene. As we chatted, we discovered we had crossed paths many years ago. Kim used to work for the Secret Service, and back when I was in elementary school in Maryland, I performed in an American Sign Language choir at an event in Washington, DC. It turns out, Kim had been on the Secret Service detail at that very event for Bill Clinton! It’s amazing how life brings people together in ways we never expect. The world is truly so small and we are all intertwined.

This wedding was a beautiful reminder that we’re all connected through a web of experiences. Life has a way of bringing people into our paths at just the right time, and it’s moments like these that remind us to always be kind and open-hearted—you never know what connections are waiting to unfold.

To the bride and groom, Kelsey and Rylan Gunter—congratulations! Your love is truly inspiring, and it was an honor to be part of your day. I wish you both endless happiness, joy, and blessings as you build your life together and grow your beautiful family.

And… if you or someone you know is planning a wedding, I’d love to be part of it! Being able to officiate weddings and witness such special moments is a true blessing, and I’d be thrilled to help make your day as magical as Rylan and Kelsey’s. Feel free to reach out—I’m here to help make your celebration unforgettable.

Here’s to love, connection, and all the beautiful surprises life has in store! 💍🎉