Fates intertwined: Jaimie and Wes’ sweet love story

It’s astonishing how our paths intertwine and change others’ lives in the most beautiful, surprising ways.

I recently worked with this very cute couple and heard their even cuter love story, as I documented their boho-meets-military wedding on the shores of Lake Arrowhead. Jaimie and Wes hold a history that inspires you, uplifts you, and most importantly, makes you smile.

The backstory

Years ago, these two met in San Diego through a mutual friend. Their chemistry was evident, but fizzled over time, as Jaimie resided in San Diego and Wes lived in Virginia Beach. Then, upon hearing the heartbreaking news of their friend’s passing, their fates crossed again. A friendship formed from their grieving, and in honor of their fallen friend, Jaimie visited Wes for a once-in-a-lifetime bucket list

The wedding

Now, we flash forward to their serene destination wedding at Lake Arrowhead Resort and Spa, located in Lake Arrowhead, CA. These two bask in the outdoors whenever they have spare time, so this location served as the ideal place for their matrimony.

Jaimie picked an array of warm tones like various pinks, cream, burgundy and orange to compliment the late summer colors of the lake, which also happened to pair well with the crisp white uniform of her military man. The towering pine trees, vibrant foliage, and clean sunlight that surrounded the resort provided a woodsy yet refreshing backdrop to their stunning ceremony. If there was any place in the world that embodied these two, they found it in Lake Arrowhead.

On top of choosing a perfect location and hues for their wedding, it was also imperative to this couple to include family, tradition, and honor. Wes wore his Dress Whites; fellow military members wore their Dress Blues. Jaimie savored a special moment with her father, where he had his own “first look” of his baby girl before he would walk her down the aisle. The military sword detail in concluding Jaimie’s and Wes’ exchanging of vows emphasized their value of serving our country, and also provided a humbling experience for guests.

It was a fantastic event, and a heartwarming history to hear about. These two were so much fun to photograph, and it was inspiring to take part in celebrating their remarkable marriage. Wes’ and Jaimie’s story carries so much depth, and we can all agree that fate had a very special plan for these two.

Jamie and Wes’ love story emerged from devastation. Little did they know it would be their late friend’s biggest gift to them. Every part of this wedding meant something important to the happy couple, and the day was spent focusing on their bright future, their gratefulness to their friend, and the loved ones and experiences that made them who they are now. Cheers to Jaimie and Wes, whose romantic love story will serve as inspiration for those still waiting for their destinies to unfold.