Wedding date: April 16, 2016

Venue: Rubywood Cabin Rental
Caterer: Black Diamond Gourmet Catering
Florist: Petal and Bean
Table rental: Tents and Events
Hair and makeup: Weemala
Photographer: Kelsey Booth Photography
Videographer: Aflatis Films

For some it’s a mutual love for dogs or football that brings them together, but for Elise and Vincent it was Africa.

In 2012, Elise was getting ready to embark on an adventure of a lifetime with a year long trip to Rwanda. As some friends were coming to say their goodbyes to Elise, Vincent’s name was brought up when it was mentioned that he shared a mutual affection for Africa. The mutual friends had been suggesting that Elise and Vincent connect over their “obsession” for Africa, but they lived in different states and Elise was getting ready to leave, so she thought nothing of the suggestion.

While away in Rwanda, Elise received a Facebook message from Vincent, the “Africa-loving boy,” as she puts it. Vincent introduced himself and talked about how he wanted to do missions work in Africa. The exchanges went back and forth as Vincent asked questions about what Elise was doing and how she got involved in it. As they continued talking over the course of several months, Elise began to learn more about him, his personality, and his values. One night Vincent messaged Elise and started talking about how his long-term goal was to become a mission’s pilot. For Elise that was it – she messaged her mom, sister, and best friend and told them that she had just met her future husband… she was kidding of course. All kidding aside, Vincent and Elise continued to send Facebook messages until July 5, 2013 when they finally met in person at none other than their mutual friends and matchmakers’ wedding. The next day they went on their first date. They didn’t see each other again until December when Vincent started TBS in Quantico. And as they say – the rest is history.

It was two years later when the Africa-loving couple became engaged.

On April 16, Elise and Vincent exchanged vows in-front of close family and friends with the snow falling in the background. They spent days prior to the wedding with their family and friends in an intimate, cabin setting where they reconnected, laughed, played games, and got to know new faces. It was a time of two families becoming one as Elise and Vincent did the same. Elise remembered sitting down for dinner after the ceremony and just sat there looking at her new large family – and “never felt happier to be apart of something so beautiful.”

One of their favorite memories from their wedding day was the amount of prayer that they were covered in on that day. Elise’s mom took her aside before she walked down the aisle and prayed with her, their pastor prayed over them during the ceremony, and at the end of the night their entire family gathered around them and prayed over them. They loved knowing that their marriage was being covered in prayer immediately by those that meant the most to them.

The wedding that was marked by 17 inches of freshly fallen snow was followed by a September honeymoon to the warm beaches of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. It was Elise’s first perfectly lazy vacation – and she LOVED it. They spent an unbelievable amount of time at the pool, went on an ATV tour, took a glass bottom boat tour, and went snorkeling. Elise also experienced her first hurricane.

As Elise and Vincent begin life’s greatest adventure together they’re excited for all the other adventures that will follow; whether that’s seeing the Northern Lights in Iceland, visiting family, camping with their two fur-babies, or even just taking a day trip to Wilmington. They’re excited to share their dreams and goals with one another and to see how God will use their marriage.

Shannyn: How was working with Adam?

Elise: I actually did a Google search; we had zero connections in that area of Colorado and Google became my best friend. Working with Adam was so easy. I am willing to admit that I am awkward and often uncomfortable with people watching me, but I still wanted a video to share with all our friends and family that couldn’t be in attendance. Adam was able to come up with a vision for our small wedding and turned it into something we will cherish forever (despite my awkwardness). We are so thankful and absolutely would recommend!