Couple shares their love story
Story and photos
by Mackenzie Free
“I used to think a wedding was a simple affair. Boy and girl meet, they fall in love, he buys a ring, she buys a dress, they say I do. I was wrong. That’s getting married. A wedding is an entirely different proposition. “
– George Banks in Father of the Bride
Father of the Bride was one of my all-time favorite movies growing up. It was wholesome and funny, and it played into so many girls’ pre-Pinterest ideas of what a dream wedding looked like.
But George, the father of the bride (played by the eternally cool Steve Martin), wasn’t wrong. Getting married and having a wedding are two very different things.
No one knows this better than newlyweds and, of course, their photographer – me – who shot their wedding celebration the second time around. This St. Clair County couple – Zach and Gracie (Bright) Walker – became newlyweds twice, opting for a ‘real wedding’ after an initial elopement.
I have been shooting weddings for years and honestly, no two are exactly alike. Here, at Discover, we thought we would take you behind the scenes for Zach and Gracie’s special day in a conversation with Mr. and Mrs. Walker.
The two began dating in February of 2023 and to say they fell in love fast would be an understatement. By June of the same year, they decided they were ready to get married and eloped to the courthouse.
However, having a celebratory wedding was never officially off the table and after a few months, these newlyweds decided it was time to start planning their big day.
How we met
We’ve really known each other forever. I was his daughter’s daycare teacher, and he messaged me asking if he needed a babysitter for Addalynn, would I do it?
I never talked to him until I was Addalynn’s teacher, and we would just talk about her when he’d pick her up, but I was always friends with Dalton and Derrick, his brother and cousin, so it’s crazy how I ended up with Zach.
Getting together
We started dating February 2023 and got married at the courthouse June 2023. We literally got matching tattoos a month after being together.
The planning
Zach said “because my wife is a bright person,” I did NOT want a fall wedding because I couldn’t stand the thought of a dark wedding. It’s just not me. The flowers and bright colors really do match my personality.
I also wanted it to be fun for Addalynn. I remember asking her what colors she wanted, and she said pink, blue, purple … and brown. I said, ‘How about brown (chocolate) cake?’
I just thought flowers would be simple and fun, and I wanted everyone to be able to wear whatever color they wanted.
Mom said the florist told her she was so happy I chose color because she gets tired of everyone just wanting white bouquets. She was super sweet.
The big day
I wish we would’ve had the wedding closer to home so more people would’ve come and so everyone would’ve stayed longer. But then again, the chapel really was perfect.
I’m so thankful Addalynn was included in our vows. She made the whole wedding. It was her day, too. I love how she gave her very own speech. We had no idea she was going to do that.
I didn’t know Dalton was giving a speech until day of either. So, I think the thought of an open mic at a wedding would be super fun.
