“I love you and I like you.”

If you looked up “joyous” in the dictionary, you’d find an image from Dana and Ryan’s wedding. I can’t possibly do this day justice by describing it in words, but I’ll try my best. I’d been anxiously awaiting June 4th, 2016 since I met Dana and Ryan last year. Two words: beer and books. That was going to be, as Dana excitedly explained to me, the theme of their wedding. You see, Ryan works at a local brewery, and his love for craft beer fits perfectly with Dana’s passion for literature. Because there is nothing better than sippin’ on an IPA while reading some Hemingway, am I right?

As an English nerd myself, I was really looking forward to seeing all of the DIY details, inspired by Dana’s favorite novels! Their backyard wedding had all the right touches, from the checkered picnic tablecloths to the sweet apple pie for dessert. There was even a tower of books (!!!) at the ceremony, not to mention beautiful vows that brought tears to my eyes. It was so clear that Ryan and Dana put a lot of effort into every part of their wedding day, just as they do their own relationship.

Also, did I mention how in LOVE I was with Dana’s dress?! Anthropologie strikes again. She pulled off the short dress like it was made for her, just as she was made for her husband. I’m lucky, because this genuine, giving, so-in-love-it-makes-me-cry couple have become two of my coolest friends! Not only do we love all of the same things (we both met Li’l Sebastian at the Pawnee Harvest Festival), but they both truly inspire me to be a better person and a better artist. That is something I’ll never forget.