Valerie Mitchell photography: Jeff + Alisha: Private Estate Wedding

And we'll build this love from the ground up

Now 'til forever it's all of me, all of you

Just take my hand

And I'll be the man your dad hoped that I'd be

And we'll build this love from the ground up

For worse or for better

And I will be all you need

Beside you I'll stand through the good and the bad

We'll give all that we have

And we'll build this love from the ground up

This life will go by

In the blink of an eye

But I wouldn't wanna spend it without you by my side

The clouds are gonna roll

The earth's gonna shake

But I'll be your shelter through the wind and the rain

- Lyrics from Dan + Shay From The Ground Up

Love Conquers All.

Alisha and Jeff were introduced by her Uncle Ken 7 years ago. They fell in love and had their daughter Charlotte a few years later. They truly make each other a better person and love each other (and their daughter) unconditionally. One of the main feelings I had while participating in their special day was the love and care they shared for each other. I could look at Jeff and see that his love was so deep for his girls. They truly meant the world to him just like Alisha's family meant the world to her. I love weddings and sharing in the love and excitement each and every couple has for each other, but on rare occasions I can feel the love so strong and passionate that it completely warms my heart and moves me. Alisha and Jeff's love for each other did exactly this.

But the love between these two doesn't just stop with them.

The Erskine Fire, June 2016, was a devastating time for hundreds of families. It was the largest and most destructive wildfire of the 2016 California wildfire season, according to wikipedia. It brought on complete devastation to the small Kern Valley community and affected this beautiful couple enormously. As Alisha and Jeff were preparing for there wedding only months away; the Erskine fire broke out and burned down Alisha's parent's house. Everything their family owned was gone, including her wedding dress, her daughter's flower girl dress, and her mother's dress. Words can't even describe how absolutely devastating this event was. I checked in with Alisha shortly after it happened and she stayed positive the entire time we chatted. I had no clue how much it affected their wedding until just the other day when Alisha shared with me the most touching story. Apparently after losing all of her dresses for the wedding, her bridesmaids came together and put together what they like to call, Operation Wedding Dress. These wonderful girls came up with all but $500 of the entire cost for Alisha to replace their dresses. Talk about some amazing girls to call your friends. I was so touched not only by Alisha's strength during such a rough time, but hearing this story was utterly heartwarming. Not only does the love Jeff and Alisha share for each other, but the love their friends and family share for them truly does conquer all terrible circumstances that could ever be thrown their way.

A truly blessed life is one rich in friends and family and this is exactly the life Alisha and Jeff have built. Congratulations you two. It was so wonderful to meet you and share in such a special moment in your life. I wish you both an amazing life full of friends, family, happiness, and above all else love.