Orange County Professional Photographer
Being a Professional Photographer here in Orange County, I get the chance to meet some really amazing couples. In some cases, we photograph their engagement session, their wedding, various stages of their family life or any combination of those. Each couple is truly great to work with. But perhaps one of our favorite aspects of being wedding photographers is hearing all their stories. How they met, first dates, falling in love, the proposal and all the planning for one of the most important days in their lives. And to have us included to capture it all is a real honor for myself and my team. And this is especially true for Matthew and Katie. A truly wonderful couple that we had the pleasure of photographing their wedding here in Orange County.
Like many couples we’ve met along the way, Matthew and Katie’s relationship started off with a bit of a twist, as Matthew had mono when they first met. Therefore, their first date had to be put on hold for a month. It’s always something I tell myself. But once they finally got to spend time together, and not just over the phone, the romance grew and really blossomed into something very special.
Katie and Matthew just got married in July 2020. My staff and I are used to shooting weddings at various wedding venues, but thanks to the pandemic, their do-it-yourself wedding took place in their own backyard. The ceremony was so well put together that a venue was not missed at all. Afterwards, we headed down to the beach in Dana Point behind the Ocean Institute to shoot their wedding photos… stunning!
What makes these two so special is their love of God and that they do everything with the other person in mind. Read further down into their Love Story and you’ll understand what I mean when you read about the marriage proposal.
We would really like to thank Katie and Matthew for allowing Three16 Photography to be part of your special day. We wish you many years of love and happiness.
Check out their love story. We hope you enjoy it, and their photos, as much as we do.
Katie and Matthew’s Love Story
How & when did you first meet? Describe your thoughts and how you felt about each other, and was it love at first sight?
We met last November through a dating app. It was love at first sight on our first date in Malibu.
What do you both do for work?
Matthew is a logistics coordinator and Katie is a registered nurse anesthetist.
GROOM: What was it that made you first start liking your bride-to-be?
Her smile and her love for God’s word in her life. And she was the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.
BRIDE: What was it that made you first start liking your groom-to-be?
He loved Jesus with all his heart and was very handsome.
Tell us about your first date. What was going through your mind, where did you go and what did you do?
Matt had mono when we first met, so we spent a month getting to know each other over the phone. It felt like we were already friends when we met on our first date at our friend’s house in Malibu. Months after we started dating Matt told me at one point, he and his friend went into the other room that day and he started jumping up and down saying “she’s so pretty!”
What makes your relationship special? Tell us some things that you both value in your time together and what makes your relationship unique?
We enjoy the beach, surfing, hiking and reading the Bible together.
Tell us about your proposal story! How and where did it all unfold? Were you surprised? And tell us, who cried first?
How it went down: Matthew created a treasure map starting with a video introduction with all of Katie’s and Matthew’s best friends and family. The video gave basic instructions to her for the adventure ahead, like “brush your teeth,” “put on a dress,” “someone loves you and is waiting for you,” and ended with her dad saying. “you can go Katie.” That video led Katie to a car and the first clue. That clue led Katie to a hiking trail with the second clue and a poem. That clue led her to a verse from song of Solomon’s and another clue up the hiking trail. That clue led Katie to an Ephesians 5 sign up the trail and another clue. That clue led her to the start of a dirt path, which had a tea station, a bible open to Luke 9 (deny yourself and follow Jesus verse) and asked Katie to meditate and pray for our life starting together. Instructions told her to blow a blowhorn (so Matthew knew she was coming). That station led her to a rose corridor (50 roses over 100 yards drilled into the ground) with cardboard footsteps nailed into the ground (each footstep had a vow written on it “in health,” “to love,” “to nourish,” “to death,” and “raised anew in Christ,” etc. This led her to a set-up at the top of the dirt path with a blanket, bacon sizzling on a grill, 10 vases of flowers, and her favorite breakfast and coffee. While Matthew walked up ringing a cow bell, he read from proverbs 31 “a woman who fears the Lord who can find” etc. He then started digging in the ground telling Katie about a certain treasure Christ promises to those who love Him, a treasure of a wife to be had along while treasuring Christ firstly… he dug up a box, opened the box and pulled out a ring, and on a knee, he asked her to marry him, and she said, “I would joyously spend my life with you, yes” or something like that. And yes, she was very surprised.
I think Katie cried first. I did all my crying preparing for it all.
What is one piece of advice you have for couples just beginning the wedding planning process and what have you enjoyed most about planning your wedding?
Remember marriage is all about Jesus Christ, the groom and his beautiful bride, and the church.
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About the Author:
Jerrick O’Connor is the owner of Three16 Photography and has 15 years of experience in the world of photography. He specializes in Weddings, Engagements, Family and Corporate photography and loves connecting small business owners with other small business owners in hopes they can benefit each other’s production. When he’s not working, you can find him spending time with his wife Josie, playing board games or just spending time with his many friends.
