Meghan & John – there is so much to say about these two. They are an amazing couple, with an amazing story!

It all started with an idea by the awesome people who run OBXbrides.com, a local wedding organization here on the Outer Banks. They wanted to host a dream wedding, but not just any dream wedding, one for a deserving military couple. The idea was that military couples would submit their story about why they should win the dream wedding. Submissions were narrowed down to the top 10, and opened for worldwide voting.

On a whim, John decided to submit their story, not really thinking they would win. (Check out their submission here!!) Imagine his surprise when not only were they selected as the top 10, but they were voted as the winners of the dream wedding!!! Their story is so touching. John, a service member in the Air Force, met Meghan, a US Olympian, at a coffee shop in Colorado. John was in the Air Force Academy, while Meghan was training at the Olympic Training Center – chasing her dream of competing with the US Synchronized Swim Team at the 2012 Olympics. Their world came crashing down when Meghan had a pain in her knee checked out by doctors, only to be told she has a tumor the size of a golf ball behind her knee cap. The next 9 months were filled with hospital stays, chemo, and surgery. John proposed a little over 1 month after Meghan finished her chemo, and the rest they say….is history!

John & Meghan travelled to the OBX for a weekend in March to attend the OBXbrides Wedding Weekend & Expo. There they got to meet with all the vendors who would be making this day possible. That’s where I come in. I was thrilled to have the opportunity to photograph their engagement session while they were in town that weekend. Mother nature was NOT on our side, and the rain had been falling since the afternoon before. We had only 1 day to get these taken, and they were happening rain or shine. Luckily John & Meghan are are easy going as they are sweet – and were not the least bit worried about getting into the rain! I met them where they were staying, at The Sanderling Resort & Spa, who is also the host of their wedding. We started out under the safety of the covered porches, venturing out at the very end to brave the wind and rain.

I absolutely can’t say enough good things about these two. At no point do they ever think negative. Last weekend they travelled back to the OBX, along with family and friends, to celebrate their dream wedding by the sea. Meghan & John – it was truly amazing getting to work with you both. Your relationship is a true testament to love and “in sickness and in health”. Best wishes to a LONG and happy life together!