Ruthie + Zach

The Noel's are a match made in heaven! The chemistry between Ruthie and Zach is absolutely undeniable! On the day they finally got to call each other "husband and wife", all the stress and worries they had before the wedding day was worth every single mental breakdown! Planning for a wedding is A LOT as it is, but then throw a worldwide pandemic in the mix, it really would push anyone to the brink of insanity! Ruthie and Zach's big day panned out to exactly how it was supposed to be, and it was a gorgeous day!

Number One Tip for Future Phocus Brides to Consider:

"Remember the real reason for your big day: To declare your love for each other in front of friends and family (and God, if that’s your thing!). Some details will get missed, some plans will change, and some people will deviate from the schedule; don’t sweat it. At the end of the day, you have the love of your life by your side and that’s all that really matters. And if you’re working with the Phocus team, you will be treated like a queen the whole day long with every need and want met and every beautiful moment captured."-Ruthie

Ruthie really took the words right from our mouths! Weddings ALWAYS have those last minute changes, or some things happen you didn't plan for, but the best thing you can do is go with the flow! Yes, you want your day to be perfect, because you've been spending SO LONG planning for this day! Things happen that may be out of your control, and that's when you have to remember what this day is all about. You and your best friend are finally becoming one. In ten years, all those small details that almost brought you to your breaking point will not even matter! Take one thing at a time, and it will work itself out for the better! We've seen it happen time and time again!

What moment were you most looking forward to seeing in the photos?

"Shots of family celebrating together!"-Zach

Ruthie and Zach's family definitely knew how to party!! Every couple we come across has different priorities when it comes to the shots that mean the most to them, and for the Noel's family means everything to both of them! Being surrounded by the people that have known them for their whole life or the ones that have gotten them through low places in their life is worth way more than what money can buy! We always say, "You only have one family so cherish every moment!", and Ruthie and Zach know how important that is to them as well.

What moment were you most looking forward to seeing in the photos?

"Our couples portraits with the willow tree!"-Ruthie

It was such an honor to be able to capture the story that Ruthie and Zach have built with one another. From their engagement session, to their big day, we were able to capture this journey with both of them, and their fur baby! ;)

How did you two meet?

"We met through mutual friends at Studer Group in 2017. Zach was completing an internship for his MBA from Auburn, and I was about a year out of grad school here at UWF (Go, Argos!) and had landed a job at SG. We spent a couple years getting to know each other as friends."-Ruthie

It is always the one you may never see coming that will come in and sweep you off your feet! Building those connections, and overtime you both come to a place and realize you want to spend evert high and every low with this person by your side. The Noel's took that time to really get to know one another, and they both fell in love with each other in the process!

Tell us about THE dress!

"The moment I tried this dress on, I knew it was the one for me. It was the third dress I tried on. My style icon and #1 role model has always been Audrey Hepburn, and this dress perfectly captured her elegance, simplicity, and just a bit of glamour. I thought it was simple and chic enough for our beautiful garden venue and sparkly and fun enough to dazzle in the candlelight. It turns out the fabric and neckline were very difficult to alter, so it took two seamstresses and five separates fittings to get to the right size. I picked it up the Tuesday before our wedding day and it was perfect. The seamstress who worked her magic is also named Ruthy (spelled just a little different than mine) and her daughter also got married on May 1st, so we are now bonded for life!"-Ruthie

We LOVEDDDDD Ruthie's dress!! In the industry, we see so many different styles of dresses, but we adored how amazing this looked on Ruthie, and the back of the dress was so unique, and very elegant! Ruthie was glowing in her dress!!

Tell Us About Your First Dance!

WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST DANCE SONG?: Blessed by Thomas Rhett

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THAT SONG?:

"We heard this song in the car on the way home from church one Sunday and both had chills and looked at each other and just knew this was our first dance song. That was way before Zach even proposed. The lyrics express how grateful we both are for each other and that we know it was God who placed us together to bless each other’s lives."-Ruthie

During the first dance, it was not hard to see just how much Ruthie and Zach love one another! This song really does fit with who they are, and capturing their first dance as newly weds was a beautiful moment to be a part of.

Describe the BRIDE on your wedding day!

"The most beautiful bride there ever was. She was having so much fun and was full of love and joy and life. There are not enough words to describe how beautiful she was."-Zach

Ruthie was absolutely stunning!! She walked with elegance, and had a smile on her face all day long! She was living in the moment, and taking in every little detail! Ruthie and Zach did an intimate "first look", and his expression says it all! We always love to see how they day unfolds, and watch the bride and groom start to really enjoy one of the best days of their life!

Describe the GROOM on your wedding day!

"He was so dapper and handsome and thoughtful and having such a blast dancing - I loved seeing him celebrate with his family, especially dancing with his grandmother."-Ruthie

We all know that we won't be on this earth forever, so while you are here, try to embrace every moment you can with the ones that love you SO much! Watching Zach take in every moment through the day was so much fun to capture! Especially him getting down with his grandmother, aka "Bebop"! ;) Most of Zach's family is from Louisiana, so he doesn't get to see them on a daily basis, so when you put a bunch of Cajuns in one room, you know it's going to be a party!

What was the most EMOTIONAL part of the day and WHY?

"Seeing her walk down the aisle, and realizing my dream was finally coming true."-Zach

As soon as Zach saw Ruthie walk through those doors, he instantly smiled from ear to ear! Seeing his bride walking down the aisle towards him was something he always dreamt about for years, and when it finally was happening his face said it all! Not to mention, Ruthie was escorted down the aisle by the cutest fur baby ever!!

What was the most EMOTIONAL part of the day and WHY?

"Walking through our glow stick grand exit. I was overwhelmed it’s gratitude for the tidal wave of love washing over us."-Ruthie

We loveeee those grand exits, not only for the pictures, but because the newlyweds are being surrounded by all the people that are so important to them! Cheering and sharing that love to our couple for a beautiful future ahead of them! There was not one face in that exit that did not have a smile on it, because there was so much love being shared with Ruthie and Zach!

What is ONE moment of your wedding you will always remember?

"I will always remember being so anxious during the ceremony that I interrupted the Pastor’s vows and shouted “I do” before he was finished reading them."-Zach

This was an amazing moment to capture, because it was a pure reaction to just how excited Zach was to marry his bride! During Ruthie's vow she mentioned how Zach will love her no matter how many animals she may bring home! This is 100% who Ruthie is, and Zach knows it! We just love how real and genuine Ruthie and Zach are with one another. The love they share is precious, and we know they will always keep each other laughing!

Favorite Part of the Phocus Experience?

"During the initial consultation, we met with Tim and did an exercise where we chose one photo from other wedding. We chose a photo of a grandpa and a little girl smiling at one another. This was a great exercise because Tim was able to gauge what our expectations were for our wedding. Bringing families together is a celebration, and capturing the moments of fun and love we missed throughout the day for us to go back and see later was our first priority. We also appreciated how absolutely attentive and engaged and positive the Phocus team has been from the very first email all the way through the last moments of our reception." -Ruthie

Family is one of the most important things in your life, and we knew from that initial meeting with the Noel's just how much family meant to them! The love that was flowing through the grounds on their wedding day was overwhelming in all the best ways! You can never have too much love! ;) Ruthie and Zach's day was filled with tears, laughter, and whole lot of partying!