This wedding gives me all the flashbacks—and I loved every second of it. When Maggie and I got married in 2017, we had an incredible crew of friends and family come together to pull off a huge DIY wedding. It felt like a culmination of so many moments in my life leading up to that day. From behind the lens, I can only imagine Mel and Raleigh felt the same on their big day.

It was clear to me that this wedding was built on a foundation of love, friendship, and family. The relationships I witnessed were immeasurably strong, and the sheer talent on display was awe-inspiring. Without a doubt, the highlight of the evening was when Mel and her band, Upstate, took the stage and wowed us all. Their ability to bring everyone together through music was nothing short of magical.

This is how weddings should be—a collection of loved ones gathered to celebrate a select two. I know it’s cliché, but it gets me emotional every single time.

Thank you, Mel and Raleigh, for letting me be a part of such an incredible celebration.