Home is where everything begins for me—where ideas take shape, creativity comes to life, and the most meaningful moments quietly unfold. But this home… holds a story unlike any other.

It began with a dream.

While I was dating my husband, David, I casually shared an idea that felt almost too over the top to ever be real—I suggested that we should find a historic home in one of the most beautiful parts of town, restore it, and host our wedding there.

At the time, it was simply an idea inspired by years of photographing weddings in some of the most charming historic homes in the area. As a photographer, I had spent countless days capturing brides getting ready in sunlit rooms, elegant portraits on sweeping staircases, and celebrations filled with timeless beauty. I was completely enamored with it all.

A historic home, filled with character and history, felt like the perfect setting our new life together.

Not long after, we discovered a home that felt like it could be the one. In fact, it was the only home available in that area at the time. We scheduled a showing, and I instantly fell in love. But just days later, it went under contract. I was disappointed—heartbroken, really—but I tried not to show it.

Still, David insisted we go see it again.

It didn’t make much sense to me. The house was already sold. But he was persistent and even suggested I bring my parents along, which felt a little unusual. When we arrived, my mom kept trying to take photos of us—something that felt even more interesting. I didn’t want to say anything, but I wondered- did David buy the house? No, he wouldn’t do that?

Later that evening, we went to dinner and started talking about the house again. David pulled out the listing sheet, tossed it on the table, and said, “I can’t believe this house is sold.”

Something caught my eye.

Under the buyer’s name… was his.

I grabbed the paper in disbelief.

He had bought the house—for us.

That was his proposal.

Building a Home—and a Wedding—in 5½ Months

From that moment on, everything moved quickly.

We set our wedding date for June 17th and began demolition on January 1st. That gave us just five and a half months to completely transform the home and plan a wedding that would take place right on its front steps.

It was an ambitious vision, to say the least.

The renovation was extensive. All of the bathrooms and the kitchen were completely redone. We added a coffered ceiling to the living room, detailed molding and trim throughout the house, and new hardwood floors in the kitchen and family room. We replaced the roof, added new doors and hardware, built a new laundry room and an additional bedroom, bathroom and storage area. We refreshed both the interior and exterior with new paint and fencing. Outside, we created a patio with a pergola and completely redesigned the landscaping.

And yet, through all of it, we were intentional about preserving the soul of the home. We kept the plaster walls. We honored the original layout instead of opening everything up. We chose classic brass fixtures that felt true to the home’s character. Even as we transformed it, we wanted it to feel as though it had always been this way.

During the renovation, we captured a few engagement photos inside the house, using the areas that were further along in the process. We dressed in vintage styles from the 1940s and 1950s, drawing inspiration from classic illustrations to create a timeless look. It’s a memory I treasure—having that fleeting stage of the home preserved in such a meaningful way.

The Wedding We Built From the Ground Up

Our ceremony took place on the front steps of the home.

I arrived in a vintage Rolls-Royce, and my daughter walked me down the aisle. Our nieces and nephews made up the bridal party. With our friends and family gathered together, it was truly a so meaningful to be able to say our vows on the front doorstep.

After the ceremony was complete, the celebration continued in the backyard under a beautifully lit tent. Dinner was served inside the family room, which was still empty at the time. The patio became our dance floor, where we cut the cake and danced the night away.

In many ways, we didn’t just plan a wedding—we built an entire setting for it. Our home became the venue, the backdrop, and the beginning of our life together.

A Home Filled With Stories

Not long after we moved in, our home was selected to be featured in the Azalea Festival Historic Home Tour. We quickly finished decorating and prepared to welcome over a thousand visitors through our doors that weekend.

Then, in 2020, something even more unexpected happened—we were contacted by Hallmark.

Our home became a filming location for the Christmas movie USS Christmas. They transformed it with artificial snow, holiday décor, and film equipment, and for 24 days, we moved out while the magic unfolded. Our home served as the main character’s mother’s house, and the entire experience was surreal. The neighborhood gathered to watch filming, and we were even interviewed on the local news.

What Home Means to Me

Over the years, this house has been the setting for countless holidays, family gatherings, and everyday moments. It’s where I decorate for each season, cook meals for the people I love, and spend time with our sweet pets.

It’s where creativity flows and memories are made.

More than anything, it has become a sanctuary—a place that holds not just beautiful details, but a deeply personal story layered into every room.

This home began as a dream, became a proposal, and grew into the backdrop of our life together.

And that is what makes it so special to me.