Stories by Joshua Mikhaiel
Brianna and Jordan’s wedding at Hummingbird Nest Ranch
Simi Valley, California
Brianna and Jordan in Simi Valley
Brianna and Jordan’s wedding was a joy to photograph. The setting, the thoughtful details and the warmth between them made it a day I still remember clearly.
Hummingbird Nest Ranch, in the Santa Susana Mountains near Simi Valley, provided a beautiful backdrop of architecture and open views.
Brianna wore a long-sleeved lace gown by Lihi Hod, then changed into a two-piece outfit by Grace Loves Lace for the party.
Siren Floral Co created the flowers, and Brianna’s hairpieces were by Untamed Petals.
The trip was an important chapter in my work, and I am grateful to them for inviting me into it. The photographs still bring back the excitement of being there.
Their vows were especially moving. The words below are preserved from the original wedding story, in their own voices.
Jordan’s vows: “My love, there’s not much I can say about you, your heart, and your spirit that everyone doesn’t already know. Everyone that has ever been graced by your presence knows how honestly caring and kind you are. Everyone knows of the love that you have for each and every person you meet. People know how you would drive around with lunch bags while out on castings for work to give to the homeless people you came across, or your huge heart for people with special needs.
People see and recognise the way you interact with others, your infectious laugh, and your extremely humble spirit. People obviously know how extremely gorgeous you are. But Brianna, there are things only I know about you, things in our relationship that have brought us where we are now. All of those other things are part of what makes you special and are why everyone loves you, but I love you for so much more than that. I love you for who you are to ME.
You are my support and best friend. I want to thank you for being that. I want to thank you for being a true light in my life and an example of God’s love. You shine so bright, Brianna. God has created you to do amazing things, and now you and I are partners through life. And just as iron sharpens iron, it’s your and my responsibility to lift each other up. I believe in us. I believe wholeheartedly that God made you for me, and me for you.
I believe in the sanctity of marriage. I believe that marriage is good. I believe that marriage is special, and I believe that marriage lasts. I’m confident that the same amazing God that brought us together will keep us together. The same love that we share at this very moment will be the same love that we share forever. I promise to do my part in that. I stand here today promising to grow old with you. But more than that, I promise to remain young with you.
I promise to always play Wii with you, or one-on-one beer pong in the backyard with you. I promise to always stand up for you and to protect you with all that I am. I promise to always keep copying whatever you do, because not only do I love you, but also I look up to you. I trust you and admire everything about you. I simply ask that you continue to love me as much as you love everyone on this earth. But above that, I ask that you continue loving the Lord the way you do. I genuinely thank God for you and always will. I love you, and at this very moment there is nowhere else I’d rather be than promising my forever to you.”
Brianna’s vows: “I knew I wanted to marry you right after meeting you. I’ll never forget coming home after the night we first met. I immediately called Maddie and said, ‘I love him. I’m going to marry him.’ I was so excited. I remember feeling complete for the first time. My soul had found its match. From that moment, I never wanted to imagine a world where you weren’t in it. We grew up two minutes away from each other, and somehow never met. It took a whole 6,000 miles for us to meet. You’re my real-life fairytale.
We became best friends instantly. You’re truly my best friend. You’re the one I laugh with, cry with, dance in the kitchen with, and dream with. You’re my person, and I’m yours. I’ve never gotten sick of being with you. No amount of time ever feels like enough. Everything I do and everywhere I go, I want you with me. Everything’s better when we’re together. I get to travel the world and see so many beautiful places, but my favourite place to be is home with you.
You make me feel like I can do anything. You truly believe I can do all things. You make me feel beautiful and funny. You even think I am a good singer, which is how I know you really do love me. I found myself when I found you. You’ve changed my life in so many ways, and I am forever grateful for the person I’ve become with you. I promise to let you talk about fall until my ears bleed. I promise to not only forever love you, but forever like you as well. I promise to never go to bed angry.
I promise to always be your biggest fan. I promise to watch football with you because I know you love it. I promise to learn how to communicate better. Even though I don’t like it, I promise to wear my hair pulled back tight because I know how much you love it. I promise to keep you young and continue to push you outside of your comfort zone.
I promise to never give up on our love or us, because I know we have that special kind of love. I promise to love you for the rest of my days. ‘Across the years I will walk with you, in deep green forests, on shores of sand, and when our time on earth is through, in heaven too you will have my hand.’”
The wedding film was made by Will of City on Film.