2012 Wedding Photography Contest | Finalists 2011-12-25
VOTING IS NOW CLOSED!
CONGRATULATIONS TO ANNALIZA AND CHARLES!
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
I couldn’t be more excited to announce the finalists for our 2012 Wedding Photography Giveaway. Choosing the finalists couldn’t have been more difficult. Every one of the submissions truly touched me in one way or another. 
To all who entered, thank you for sharing your beautiful stories.
Below are the three finalist couples. Please vote below.
Annaliza and Charles:
Charles and I have been so patient and not many people can say they were in a long distance relationship for over 3 years and haven’t even spent half of it together. Since we began talking, we have to schedule when we are going to talk because there is a 16-18 hour time difference, depending upon daylight savings time. When he is working we do instant message each other, but it’s very minimal. He has to concentrate for work and I have my own work I need to do for school. Money is always a concern because what money is saved up in 6 months time, a good chunk of it is spent on a ticket to see each other. And if that’s not already frustrating — we are planing two weddings. I wanted just one but the more we thought about it, it would be unfair to leave out his side or my side and that we want everyone to share this moment with us. The first wedding will be in Georgia and then I will move to New Zealand and we will have the other wedding at the end of the year. I decided to cut my budget in half so my family could afford tickets to visit me in New Zealand for Christmas and New Years. I’m so grateful for my family and cutting my budget is something I insisted on doing because having them visit my new home is more important to me than having a flashy wedding.
I just find it funny that Charles and I are what you could say the “contemporary” pen pals. Since we began talking in 2008, we have only seen each other a total of 4 times (length wise in total, 5 1/2 months). Each visit lasts for about 1 month but I had the privilege to stay for the whole summer this year, which is when we got engaged.
Tina and James:
I met my fiancé who is a honored military man with 2 bronze stars, which few even know about because he is very humble.
We met while he was being set up on a blind date by my best friend ( who I set up with her current husband). That date did not go over but while at the same party… We met and just clicked … At the time we met I had a boyfriend of 7 years that was breaking up with me via email which I did not know until the next day). After reading my email and exhausted from a relationship that was going no where, I decided to give this James a second look.
My best friend had spoke of him months before and tried to convince me to just go to dinner with him, I said no because I was in a relationship. After we met by chance at this going away party and his blind date did not go over well, we just connected.
Two days later I found out he lost a very good friend that he served in the Military with ( an unfortunate suicide .. Which many Veteran’s have taken their lives, from stress and life changes that make it hard for them to cope) I called James to console and we talked for hours while he drove to collect belongings for the friends family.
James is my true love and best friend…we instantly became friends than in a relationship… Things were perfect and then he had orders for Afghanistan. I was devastated but he left his job as a federal officer and obtained yet his second bronze star. I kept his two beautiful daughters as much as allowed by their mother while he was away Eli was 5 & Lydia was 7, they are now 7 & 9 and beautiful. They can’t wait for us to marry!
Gabby and Brad:
Gabby will be getting married following her graduation from nursing school. Brad will be preparing to go back to school for his MBA after the wedding. Thus, it is not surprising that the couple is working hard to obtain enough funds for the wedding. This includes money to hire a photographer. One might say that they could easily wait until they are both into their careers with enough money to have the ‘perfect’ wedding. The reality is Brad and Gabby represent two brave individuals that understand that tomorrow is not ours. How many times is love delayed because of fear? Fear of the unknown, fear of financial instability, fear that “we have our whole lives ahead of us” so why should we rush. While these are all valid concerns, there is something to be said for people who understand that maybe, just maybe, waiting won’t change anything. Perhaps getting older and getting setting into their careers won’t guarantee financial stability. So, today, they choose love.
Winning this contest will mean the world for Gabby, her family, and Brad. As one knows, the family of the bride pays for the wedding. Gabby’s family is from Haiti. This tradition is a serious one for the parents. Gabby comes from a family of nine children- two boys and SEVEN girls! Only 1 out of the 7 is married. After Gabby walks down the aisle, that leaves FIVE beautiful girls to give away. Anything that will make it easier on
the parents in this journey is much needed.
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VOTING IS NOW CLOSED!
Please be respectful/honest with votes.
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Allison Reisz Photography
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