With COVID-19 shattering wedding hopes and dreams around the world last month, Dallas Weddings were no exception. And while some couples chose to scrap their plans, or push everything back to a later date, Matt and Megan had a brilliant idea:

Let’s get married now.

And let’s celebrate with friends and family later.

So, with permission from local authorities, plans were underway for Matt and Megan’s backyard weddings to take place. The family cleared out the back yard, an open green space PERFECT for a backyard wedding. Megan’s dad built an arch, and flowers were added to spruce things up and give the ceremony a true wedding feel.

Only 10 of us were in attendance for this intimate ceremony, including the officiant and me. But it was hard not to get the sense that all of Heaven had gathered round to celebrate this holy moment for Matt and Megan, which culminated in a “kiss the bride” moment that doubled as their first kiss. Love radiated around these two with each and every glance. Joy beamed from their faces, and the faces of the family who gathered.

And then the singing started. With the music playing on an iPhone through a bluetooth speaker, Matt and Megan started singing their hearts out these words from Hillsong’s “Song of Ascents”:

So I will praise You on the mountain

And I will praise You when the mountain’s in my way

You’re the summit where my feet are

So I will praise You in the valleys all the same

No less God within the shadows

No less faithful when the night leads me astray

You’re the heaven where my heart is

In the highlands and the heartache all the same

WOW! What a picture of this moment for these two: reaching the mountain top of their wedding day, while at the same time walking through the valley and heartache of friends and family who could not be there to celebrate because of COVID-19, yet “in the highlands and the heartache” praising God all the same. What a picture of marriage, too!

There were so many tears streaming down my face, I’m shocked any of the photos came out. It was the perfect summary of the faith I’ve seen these two live out since we first met last year, and through their engagement session earlier this year, and the testimony of God’s goodness in their lives – first separately, and now together.

Matt and Megan, thank you for allowing me to walk this road with you. I say all the time that we are in the “people business” first and foremost, and never has that been truer than in this COVID-19 season. I’m thankful to know you guys, and grateful that we could be there to capture this intimate moment for you with your family! Praying that, through all the highlands and heartaches that will come over a lifetime of marriage, you will continue to keep your gaze focused on God, allowing Him to guide you each step of the way!

Congrats y’all… we love you guys!!! Excited to do this again next year!!!