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Married to my first love, Momma of 2 (Mason and Weston). Dog mom to Tippon. North Carolina born but Virginia lover at heart. 

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I'm arli.

Shellenhamer Wedding

May 30, 2018

In my last post, you saw the super fun, silly but sweet engagement session of my friends Erik and Shannon. Well, on Cinco de Mayo these two love birds officially tied the knot in an epic wedding at Bandits Ridge. I can’t say enough about how special this day was for everyone involved, including me! Working with Erik and Shannon, getting to know them and getting to take part in their day was such a highlight of my wedding season!

In order to fully explain the importance of all the details that were incorporated into their wedding, you have to know how Erik and Shannon ended up together. They are such adventurous and lively people that it is no wonder they first started out as running partners! Erik was big into Spartan races and after training with Shannon for a month, he successfully convinced her to sign up for her first Spartan race — that’s when she became hooked on Spartan’s AND hooked on Erik.
A year later the two were still getting away every chance they could to race. After their 8th race of the 2017 season, Shannon crossed the finish line hand in hand with Erik, only to be completely surprised when he got down on one knee and proposed! You guys, seriously how perfect is that? Something super cool about that Spartan race… the finish line came right after you have to jump over the fire pit. This is SO symbolic of marriage, you go through fire sometimes and occasionally you have to deal with really hard things! Erik and Shannon have learned already that by taking each other’s hand and going through the fire together that they WILL make it to the finish line!
So back to the wedding, it was really important to both of them that they were able to be present for guests at their reception, so they chose to do all of their pictures before the ceremony. Not every couple elects to do this, but following the timeline we had planned out together at our one month meeting meant that there was no rushing, and most importantly no stress involved when it was picture time! Shannon looked amazing in her A-line, strapless dress by Bridal Elegance, and Erik rocked May 5th taco socks under his Macy’s suit!
The ceremony went off without a hitch and one of the cutest parts of the whole wedding had to be when the ring bearer, Erik and Shannon’s dog, Jax, came down the aisle! Following the wedding, the newest married couple danced, played cornhole, and ate tacos from a taco truck alongside their closest friends and family. It was, as Shannon described, “perfect”!
Erik and Shannon: thank you for trusting me to help you in the planning process and even more for trusting me to capture in photographs the most important day of your life! Your friendship means the world to me and I wish many more years and many more Spartan races your way!

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A special thanks to the following vendors:

Venue: Bandits Ridge, Louisa Virginia

Florist: Coleman Brothers

Bridal Gown: Bridal Elegance

Groom/Groomsman Attire: Macy’s

Jax’s Custom Collar: Pawsitive Style Studio

Videographer: 14 Four Media

Invitations: Zazzle

Wedding Coordinator: Brooke Engel Events 

Caterer: Boca

Weddings

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