Michelle and Quitin celebrated 10 years of marriage with a wedding anniversary photo session!
Michelle and Quitin were first introduced through Quitin’s brother. Following a courtship filled with laughs, new experiences, and so much love, Quitin surprised Michelle by proposing during a family dinner on Easter weekend in 2012.
Michelle recalls, “Quitin was dressed in a navy blue suit and came in behind the videographer! I never saw him coming…”.
They held their wedding ceremony on March 16, 2013, in Smithfield, Virginia. They put all wedding planning stresses behind them and had the most perfect day!
“Seeing how our family and friends supported us was genuinely touching,” Michelle shares. “It was a beautiful day that went by a little too quickly for me.”
To celebrate their 10th anniversary, Michelle and Quitin wanted to recreate some of their original wedding photos. Photographer, Kierra Tate Henderson, not only recreated but elevated the couple’s poses and photos from their big day.
Our friend was our photographer and knows us well… She looked up poses from our original wedding day and elevated them!
Michelle
Learn more about the couple’s love story and see the beautiful details of their anniversary shoot below!
- Couple: Michelle & Quitin
- Occupations: Entrepreneur | Navy
- Wedding date: March 16, 2013 (original date); February 20, 2023 (vow renewal)
- Wedding location: Smithfield, Virginia
How did you meet?
My now bother in law introduced us.
Tell us about the proposal.
It was a complete surprise on Easter weekend in 2012. I was invited to a family dinner and arrived in my work clothes. Quitin was dressed in a navy blue suit and came in behind the videographer! I never saw him coming, I thought it was a family intervention!
When did you get married and where?
We technically have two wedding dates. In the middle of wedding planning, we were stressed out! Quitin asked me if I wanted a wedding more than I wanted to get married. (I was a wedding planner at that time). I responded, “Of course not.” in disbelief. Then, I took it further and said, “I’ll marry you tomorrow.”.
So that weekend, I flew to Florida from Virginia (he was stationed there #navy) then we drove around looking for a justice of the peace. We ended up in Georgia on August 31, 2012. That’s our first wedding date.
We had our official ceremony on March 16, 2013, in Smithfield Virginia. Since we are a Navy family, whatever date he’s not deployed on, is the day we celebrate our anniversary each year.
What was your wedding like?
It was perfect for us! The weather was beautiful! (it did rain during the reception, but luckily it was inside). Seeing how our family and friends supported us was genuinely touching. It was a beautiful day that went by a little too quickly for me.
As you celebrate your 10th anniversary, what do you remember most about your wedding day?
We love to recap the entire day! Some years we will sit down and watch our wedding DVD with our children. If I had to pick my favorite part it would be the reception entrance. We felt relieved at that point and we were ready to eat!
Was there anything you would do differently for your wedding?
I was a wedding planner at the time and did a lot of things myself. If I could change anything I would have hired someone for decor.
Tell us more about the shoot. What inspired it?
Our 10th anniversary was coming up and I wanted to recreate our wedding photos. I scheduled it, then canceled it because I felt like I didn’t plan properly. Our friend was our photographer and knows us well. She told us to show up and she’d take care of the rest. She looked up poses from our original wedding day and elevated them!
What are your favorite things to do as a couple? Do you have any children or pets?
We love to stay up late and watch movies, travel, and try new restaurants.
We have no pets because we have 3 children: Gabriel, Melanie, and Penelope (8,6, & 4).
What do you love most about one another?
Michelle: I love Quitin’s character. He’s a strongly marked individual, and I’ve never met anyone quite like him.
Quitin: What I love the most about Michelle is her smile. When I see her smile it reminds me of the first day we met and how she tried to hide it every time.
What are the most important elements of a successful marriage?
- Maturity: Being mature enough to remain united even if you disagree.
- Unity: How can two walk together unless they are agreed? Amos 3:3
- Selflessness: You cannot have a prosperous marriage and be selfish.
- Growth: Go to counseling together to help you walk through the different seasons in life. Keep the lines of communication completely open.
Also, being intentional about spending quality time together is key. It doesn’t take much for us. A staycation or a vacation…as long as WE are alone.
Looking for more anniversary photo inspiration?
Click here!
Vendors:
- Photographer: Kierra Tate Henderson
- Hair and Make-up: Tinas Touch
- Venue: The Len
- Coordinator: McEllis Brides
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