This is Jimmy and Mallory Bull. To say they are our closest friends would absolutely be an understatement. These two right here are our family, and they have been since Mal and I met in an IEP (Individualized Education Plan) meeting at Fallston High School five years ago. When we realized we both lived in the Shrews (Shrewsbury, PA) we both cussed like sailors and had hubbies covered in tattoos we never looked back. So when we moved to Arizona it was really difficult to adjust to not being three minutes from their house. Over the last year and a couple months, we have kept in touch, made as many trips as we could back home, and video chatted through the holidays, but this also meant that we missed a lot of cookouts, many nights out by the fire, panic sessions the night before the first day of school and what to wear to a family gathering, and “just because” stop in visits on a regular basis.

We didn’t go more than a few days without seeing each other, and that’s just how we liked it. Back in August of 2016, Jimmy “finally” proposed to Mal in a beautiful sunflower field as the sunset over Harford County. Michael and I had the honor of witnessing their sweet engagement (before I found my style) and I was able to fly back home to their adorable country styled bridal shower. Now that we live across the country, we have gotten by with our limited visits, but there was one more trip this year that was not optional, after two years, their wedding day finally arrived.  We put our puppy (our 8-year-old boxer, Moo Moo) in a doggy suite with strong air conditioning and her very own couch, and we all traveled back to MD to stand next to Mallory and Jimmy as they got hitched!

I tried to convince Mal that I could be in her bridal party at her wedding and still photograph it, but she refused to let me. I appreciate her for that because I was able to fully immerse myself in her wedding day and help her decorate, celebrate, and revel in all her beauty. BUT… it was so hard not to capture every single moment and tell her story. So, she promised that I would be able to tell their love story by taking their anniversary photos in their wedding attire! Well, just one month after their wedding day, they decided to spend their honeymoon in Arizona with us and our best friend/little brother Nino… AND… Mallory packed their wedding attire. During their trip here, we all piled in both of our vehicles and made the trek to the Grand Canyon.

After a long day of driving, walking, and pushing Michael in his wheelchair (he just had his ACL reconstructed a week prior) Mal, Katlyn, and I went into a hot bathroom on the south rim hotel to find an outlet and get her ready. To see her in that beautiful lace gown again brought tears to my eyes. To be able to do her hair and makeup in that dark bathroom gave me the butterflies. To be able to still have the opportunity to tell their love story standing next to one of the most amazing landscapes in the country meant the world to me. So after a quick “do” and getting her into her dress without ever letting it touch the floor, we ran out with our suitcases and started racing the sunset. We were absolutely exhausted, my hands were shaking so much I could barely get my camera to focus, and it was exceptionally hot outside, but I reveled in every moment of my time with our two best friends in front of my camera and with us in Arizona. I will forever be grateful for the time they spent with us here and I will always cherish our memories from this trip and any adventures to come.

Are you planning your wedding and need more inspiration from our styled/real weddings!?! Check out our other helpful blog posts!

No. 1 | Professional Input for Your Wedding Day Timeline

No. 2 | Elegant Boho Inspired Wedding

No. 3 | Spanish Inspired Love featured in AZ Weddings Magazine

No. 4 | #NotJustSummerLove