Elisabeth & Ross | A Joyful Bella Collina Wedding Full of Love, Laughter, and… Jimmy John’s

This past Saturday, Elisabeth and Ross tied the knot at the breathtaking Bella Collina — and what a day it was. From sentimental details to wild dance floor moments (plus a minor fire incident), their wedding was the perfect mix of sweet and unforgettable.

These two first crossed paths at a birthday party — a twist of fate made possible by their best friends, who happen to be siblings. Now, those same best friends proudly stood by their sides as the Maid of Honor and Best Man.

Their love story officially kicked off with a first date at a cozy cocktail lounge in Charlotte. But the real magic happened during a New Year’s Eve getaway to Wilmington. Ross had big proposal plans, but Elisabeth’s very real need for a bathroom break almost derailed everything. After a few frustrating detours (and no bathroom in sight), Ross finally found a private spot by the water to pop the question. Despite the rocky start, she said yes — and it became a story that had everyone laughing on their wedding day.

Fast forward to Saturday, and both Elisabeth and Ross were surrounded by their favorite people. The girls started the morning in matching shirts while the guys fueled up with Jimmy John’s. (Ross even asked me to include a sandwich in the flat lay photos — I told him I’d do it if I could eat it afterward. Deal made.) Don’t worry, I took a version without the sandwich, too.

Before their First Look, I asked Ross to empty his pockets so they wouldn’t show in the photos. He joked, “Do you want to frisk me just to make sure?” Honestly, good thing I did — I ended up holding onto his wallet and car keys for him!

Their First Look was sweet and full of anticipation before we headed down to the lake with the whole wedding party. One of the most special photos we captured was of Elisabeth and Ross with the very two friends who introduced them. A full-circle moment if I’ve ever seen one.

Elisabeth made two beautiful dedications that day — one to her grandfather, with a charm on her bouquet, and one to her mom, who had been her partner-in-planning every step of the way.

And then came the party. The reception had everything: a gelato bar, late-night pizza, a limbo contest, glow sticks, and so much dancing and singing. When The Killers came on, even I found myself moving to the beat behind the camera.

Later in the night, Ross and his groomsmen ditched their suits for matching Hawaiian shirts, and Elisabeth changed into a fun short dress. The night ended with a sparkler exit… almost without a hitch. A guest didn’t realize sparklers should go in the bucket afterward and tried to step on theirs — resulting in one very scorched shoe. (They were fine, and yes, the shoe lived to tell the tale.)

Elisabeth and Ross, thank you for trusting me to capture your hilarious, heartfelt, and high-energy day. From flat lay sandwiches to sparkler chaos, it was a wedding I won’t forget — and one that perfectly reflected your love: full of laughter, light, and joy.

Vendors:
Venue: https://bellacollinamansion.com
Photography: www.mariasollecito.com
Hair Stylist: Connie Ayers at https://thehairbiz.com
Makeup: https://www.kaitlynelizabethstyling.com
Florist: https://softtouchflowers.com
Catering: https://www.giannoscatering.com
Cake: http://old.bakemehappy.net
DJ: https://djrone.com
Rentals: https://happyrentz.com
Wedding Dress: https://happyrentz.com
Photobooth: https://tiwwdphotobooths.com
Transportation: https://www.triadecoadventures.com