What an awesome Thanksgiving. I am so blessed to have so much wonderful family to spend the holidays with... we traveled and visited and ate! Whew!
It's time to give this wedding away and I have narrowed it down to 5 contestants and need your help to pick a winner!
The way this will work is I will accept one vote per email account per day. You will need to send in the email to:
info@terrysphotography.biz
with the subject simply being the contestants number... so contestant one my subject would be...
Subject: 1
It is very important you get the subject correct subject or your vote may not be counted. The voting will go on for a couple weeks... so be sure to get everyone you know to flood the voting and win you a free wedding!!! We will announce the winner prior to going on Christmas break!
I was blown away by the entries and stories and although all were deserving I feel these were the most unique. In no particular order...
Couple # 1
Lauren Hutchins and Taylor Fischer
Love story told by Lauren: My soon to be fiance and I met over three years ago on a blind date and I knew from the moment I met him that he would be the man I would marry. We have had a long distance relationship the whole time we have been together. Every time we see each other it's the most wonderful feeling in the world. We love to go fishing and hunting together as you can see from the picture I have attached. Taylor is the most wonderful giving man I have ever met. He would give his last dollar to someone if they needed it. If we were to be blessed with free wedding pictures it would mean more to me than you can imagine. I love photography and one of my dreams is to have a really good photographer at my wedding. Anytime anyone comes to my home they comment on all the pictures that my family has displayed. I believe in capturing every moment possible on film. Every time I think about my wedding I have a fear of not having the pictures turn out the way I want them to. When my brother got married the photographer didn't take a picture of my brother with me and my mom and dad. We will never have a picture of the four of us on his wedding day. We couldn't complain because the pictures were done as a favor because that is all my brother and sister in law could afford at the time. I have been saving the last two years as I have started my first two years of teaching, but it hasn't amounted to much. Everytime I get enough money saved to make a difference something seems to happen. Over the last year Taylor I have experienced many loses together. Right now we are faced with two things that are really tough and we are having to go through them without being able to be with each other at the end of the day. His uncle has been diagnosed with stage four cancer and I have just recently found out that my niece has a problem with ther aortic valve. Through this we have grown so much closer and are so ready to get married. However we have both been traveling a lot to be with each other and our families during this time and it is beginning to take a toll on our savings. So I know that without help from someone that I will probably have to have a friend take the pictures just like my brother did. I can't wait for that day and I hope that I wil be able to have dream pictures taken on my dream day. Thanks for your time and may God bless you for the generous gift you are giving.
Couple # 2
Maryanne Morrison and Josh Carter
Love story told by Maryanne:
Once upon a time there was a little 5 year old boy named Josh Carter and a 5 year old girl named Maryanne Morrison. They met in kindergarden at Valley View in Jonesboro, AR and continued to attend school together for the next 13 years of their lifes. Afer graduation Josh joined the army and moved to Oxford, MS and went to college at Ole Miss. He went on to become a Captain in the army. Once Josh was out of the army he moved to Nashville, TN and started working a suvillian job. Maryanne stayed in Jonesboro and attended Arkansas State University and then moved to Memphis, TN. During their college years they both dated all the wrong people. Maryanne was so unhappy that one night she prayed and prayed for God to send her the man of her a kind loving man to make her happy and for some reason Josh Carter's name kept popping in her head. They both were very clueless as to how their life would turn out.
They both kept in contact with mutual hometown friends for a nine year reunion and decided to meet up back home in Jonesboro, AR for dinner to celebrate a nine year high school reunion. As the night progressed the two young souls talked and talked. At the end of the evening the two exchange phone numbers and over the next few months kept in little contact with each other. However they did decide to meet up for dinner during the Easter weekend as they would both be back home for the holiday. Friday April 6th 2007 the two met for dinner and feel in love, by the end of the evening they shared their first kiss. Now the true love story begins....
After that evening they were inseperable. Over the next few months they traveled back and forth from Memphis to Nashville every weekend.
They would race home after work and crawl in bed to talk on the phone with each other until they couldn't hold their eyes open. Josh sent Maryanne numberous flower arrangements. They talked and laughed and shared all their hopes and dreams with each other. Friends and family were so happy that these two people who had never learned what happiness, love, soulmate and best friend ever meant until they found each other. Their hearts ached for one another. During the weekends when they would travel to visit one another they would embrace for hours because they missed each other so much. The distance was just about unbearable. So, Maryanne decided to leave her life as she knew it all her friends, family, and job to take a chance at true happiness and marriage. Josh was so excited that she was finally going to move.
He had begged and begged her for many months.
Maryanne moved to Nashville so she could be with the love of her life.
She has been there for one month now and life couldn't get any better.
The highlight of her day is being able to see her fiance. Yes thats right the two love birds are now engaged to be married on September 20th 2008. They will both exchange vows that they have written from their hearts describing the amout of love and honor they have for each other. Both Maryanne & Josh will live happily ever after. THE END.
Author's Note:
Over the past 27 years of my life I never thought I would find the love of my life. I remember giving my girlfriends a hard time about being 'whooped' thinking that doesn't happen in real life and if it does it would never happen to me or somebody like me. My low self-esteem probably contibuted to the series of loser men I had in my life over the next few years. You don't realize how unhappy you are until you truly and I mean truly find happiness in your soul mate. I destinctively remember one night after my ex-boyfriend and I got into a fight and I was so unhappy. I got down on both knees praying to God please give me strenth and please tell me there is somebody else there is somebody out there who will make me happy; Josh Carter who I don't think in the 13 years I knew him I ever carried a conversation with HOWEVER his name kept popping into my head.... Who knew? But oh how wonderful and sweet life is!!! He is everything to me!!! Thank you God for creating Josh Carter; you made the perfect decision when you planned for me to marry him! I can't imagine one day without seeing his handsome face!
Why do you deserve to win the contest?
I would love nothing more than to have the greatest day of my life to be captured by such a true and wonderful artist and photographer. Life is about moments and happiness and photography captures those moments for a lifetime. AND Because I love Josh Carter and I want to tell the world!!!
Friends and Family Comments:
Amy Smeby (Maid of Honor) said "I know Maryanne is happy because before she never use to show her teeth in pictures NOW she smiles from ear to ear."
Kandie Morrison (Mother of the Bride) "I know you are happy because you attitude toward others and life is like a changed into happy new person." "I can't wait to see you walk down the aisle."
Shawna Morrison (Sister of the Bride) "You are both the biggest two love birds I have ever seen; its almost sickening, hahaha Just kidding I love you both!"
Laura Carter (Mother of the Groom) "You two are so happy and I am happy for you."
Love story told by Marryanne's Mother:
First of all I believe in blessings and I pray for them daily. Maryanne and her 5 brothers and sisters (all 2 years apart) have always been one of my lifes biggest blessings. I pray that they may also bless others with thier lifes. So reason number one is that we both believe and want to share the blessings that God gives us.
Then, I want you to know that I have four children in college and three that are wanting to get married and I am blessed but financially burdened and you could be an answer to prayer. So reason number two is we need this financially.This would trully bless me and my family financially.
You said "you questioned why photos are so important to me and my family" My daughter is in love with photography and loves your work. As an artist you can understand the love of shared art with an admirer of your work and she values what you do. Maryanne has her degree in print management and share the love of capturing the moment on paper and loves the the talent you have for captuing not only the moment but the emotion and story in your work.You can take one glance around Maryannes home or office or my home ar office and know how important photograpy is to Maryanne and her family.Maryanne loves the " Not the... "say cheese" type photography... She loves the expression of feeling and emotion you give because you are used to blessing others with your gift. So thirdly she wants to have you because she sees beauty and compassion in your work and wants to share her special moment with you.
I am a teacher and a floral designer. I have worked two jobs for the last 20 years to see that my children had what they needed and and some of what they want.I am also passionate about my work and the people I serve in the weddings as you are. You are a part of the family for just a brief time but share in thier lives forever in that special frozen moment in time. I also find that weddings are by far the most rewarding event there can be. I also realize "The emotions are always on high... the families are always present... everyone is clean and looking good... in most cases it would be impossible to mess up! There is nothing more I love than being in the right place at the right time... maybe it is in the back of the foyer... non-obtrusively crouching in a corner while the father gives his daughter one last kiss on the cheek before he escorts her down the aisle... thats a photo that will stir some emotion. So reason number four is you can bless her with something I cannot provide her but do despratley want to give.
I also love weddings and I hope that it shows in all of my work. I think sometimes people get caught up in all the "stress" and miss the moments.They forget to see the flowers and surroundings and sometimes the santitiy of the moment they are about to share. But you can capture that moment for my sweet child like no other can do.
You said " I have a strong feeling that I want to give back and positively influence the lives of someone".This hopeful mom would like to say, finally, that I was a bride too once but I couldn't afford a wedding. I was a young teenage pregnant mom. I never had a ceremony. It was just me,my husband,the preacher,his wife and the cat.I believe that is why I love to give the one thing in life I never had. I especially want to give that to my Maryanne because she loves and appreciates beauty. So finally, I think Maryanne deserves this shared moment with you because I have had to say so many times that I can't afford this or that for somthing and she wanted........ and she was always so understanding.
Couple # 3
Covy and Lori
Story told by Lori: Of all the young couples that have applied for the photography contest, I feel that my fiancé, Covy and I meet and exceed all of the qualifications that you are looking for. We have a desire and appreciation for excellent photography, financial need, and we are a deserving, loving couple looking forward to our wedding day.
First of all, I am keenly aware that wedding photography is a huge expense, but it is, in my opinion, one of the most important aspects of planning a wedding. Fifty years from now, I will still have the priceless photographs of my wedding. I used to be a photographer, and I have great admiration for excellent photography. I feel that your company does some of the best work I have ever seen.
As for our finances, both of my parents are retired, and money is an issue. Even though I am out of school and working, I am a teacher, and I don’t have a very high salary. I am also working on my Master’s Degree in order to keep my teaching certification, and that is an additional expense. Covy is still in school and does not have a job yet. While we are going to have to watch our expenses, we still want the best we can afford.
I believe that Covy and I have a unique relationship. We love and care for one another in a very special way. Even though we share two entirely different personalities, we complete each other by understanding one another. We respect each other’s individuality. There are times that we love being around one another, and times that w enjoy being in the same crowd, but not at each other’s side. We trust each other completely. We love each other wit all our hearts and would do anything for the other.
Although we enjoy our time together, we also enjoy time with our friends. We don’t have “his and her” friends, but they are all our friends. It is said that you are best described by those whom you spend the most time with – your family and friends. They are the people who know you inside and out. Our friends say things like, “You are quite perfect for each other,” and describe us as, “Two people who were meant to be together.” Covy’s Dad told him before we started dating, “You need to marry that girl (Lori) some day.” Now, it’s coming true, and we couldn’t be happier. In conclusion, I know that Covy and I will have a beautiful wedding and a happy life together regardless of how many wedding photos we have. But it would be so nice to have special pictures of our special day. It would be a real blessing for us, both financially and emotionally, and it would mean so much to both of us. thank you for your consideration.
Couple # 4
Emily and Caleb
Story told by Sasha, "Sister-in-Law"
My sister-in-law, Emily, is a travel technologist and works in Hawaii. She is trained in Cardiac Cath, Special Procedures, and Electrophysiology labs. Since being in Hawaii, she found the love of her life. She will be getting married in May. She met Caleb a few years ago in Hawaii. He is a navy diver and is stationed in Hawaii. It is neat that they met in Hawaii because she is from Arkansas and he is from Missouri. They have always planned to get married on the beach in Hawaii. Hawaii is special to them becuase they met there and have shared so many memories there as well. Hawaii is also just so beautiful! Caleb also proposed to her on the beach. They feel like Hawaii is their special paradise and wanted to share their special day with their families in Hawaii. They made plans to get married in Hawaii and even had cabins where the family could stay as well as provide a week of family activities. However, Emily and Caleb both have grandmas who are unable to make the long flight to Hawaii due to recent health reasons so they have decided to change their plans and instead of getting married on a beautiful beach on the Island of Oahu in Hawaii, they have decided to get married in Arkansas on Mount Magazine. Mount Magazine is close to both families and is also known as the "Island in the Sky." I feel like they are showing so much love and unselfishness to give up a beautiful wedding on the Island of Oahu so that they can share their special day with their families. I thought that since they can't have the beautiful beach, an awesome photographer and great pictures would be just as good!
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