location: forsyth park, savannah
photos by apt. b photography | hair + make up by royal makeup & hair
Merry Christmas {early} from the Elliott’s! We are beyond excited to share these photos with you today. They are something extra special! In October, we celebrated our first wedding anniversary. To mark the occasion, we made our way to Savannah, GA, a place we fell in love with earlier this summer. We wanted to explore the beautiful, historic town when it wasn’t so hot out and knew October would be the perfect time.
While there, we shot with my favorite photographer {truly, I’m obsessed with her}, Wendy of Apt. B Photography to capture some anniversary memories for us. Joshua and I decided early, when planning out this shoot, that we wanted to wear our wedding attire again. I mean, who doesn’t want to wear their wedding dress again?! With just a couple of changes, I added a sweater and chose simple flats this go around, we were ready to relive our wedding day and snap some shots!
Scroll to the bottom to find out which photo we chose for our Christmas card + 3 questions answered by both of us about Christmas!
And our Christmas card photo is…
What Christmas traditions as a child do you want to continue with your family?
Laura Leigh: I have too many I want to continue! Christmas was always such a special time for my family. A full two+ days of festivities. Almost every year, it was exactly the same thing and I loved it. First, I love going to church on Christmas Eve. Dressing up in our Christmas best. Following the service, we typically had smorgasbord of food. Including my mom’s famous meatballs, cheese + meat from my grandpa, spinach dip, and cookies, of course. I definitely want Christmas Eve service but a smorgasbord of food to be a tradition for us.
Christmas morning, we were not allowed to straight Christmas before 9am. My parents reason behind this was, they spent so much time and money preparing for Christmas, they wanted to truly enjoy it and for us to not rush through it. Therefore, we took things slow and started with our stockings. We were allowed to go downstairs and get them whatever time we wanted. So my sister and I would always go down early, bring them up to our room, and spend an hour plus oohing and awing over each other’s stocking stuffers. This is by far my favorite Christmas tradition. I always want to do stockings first and create this excitement for our future children as well!
After stockings, we had breakfast quiche prepared by my mom. We still have it to this day when we’re all together for Christmas. Everyone also indulged in cinnamon buns {sans me, I strongly dislike them, weird, I know}. I want to keep the breakfast tradition alive but maybe create something of my own. Something Joshua and I both love and can make for our children one day.
Those are the traditions I love most and want to continue to keep alive with our family.
Joshua: My family have always gone to Christmas Eve service together. That is something I really love and want to continue doing with our family.
Additionally, we always had a real Christmas tree. We would pick it out together and decorate. Definitely want to keep that tradition going. Real trees all the way!
We also had an advent wreath and lit the candles each Sunday of advent. I would like to do this with our children.
These are all really important to me as they focus on the real meaning of Christmas. Both Christ coming to be born for us and family.
What Christmas traditions do you want to create together and do with your future children?
Laura Leigh: I would love to start the tradition of the 3-gift Christmas. One present to represent each gift from the three wisemen. Faith is incredibly important to both Joshua and myself and we want that to be a huge part of the upbringing of our children. So I would love to do that then have like 2-3 gifts that are from mom + dad and Santa Claus.
Also, Joshua and I kicked this off last year but I want to send Christmas cards with family photos every year. This isn’t something we did growing up but I absolutely love it! So I plan to continue this new tradition we have going on.
Joshua: Like Laura Leigh, I would like to continue sending Christmas cards each year. I did this with my family growing up but obviously it’s different and new with my wife and will be with our future children.
Make sugar cookie cut outs with frosting with the kids each year. Make it our family go to Christmas cookie.
What is the best gift you have given one another?
Laura Leigh: A couple years ago for Christmas, I made Joshua a deck of cards book. You’ve probably seen these on Pinterest, that’s where I found the idea. On each card you write {or sticker} something you love about the person. I had the BEST time putting this together and watching Joshua’s face as he looked through it was so special. Now, it’s a great reminder of that new love and how our love has grown. During difficult/frustrating times in the future {I know they’ll come one day}, I know it’ll be very nice to look back on this and remember what I love most about my sweet husband.
Joshua: Laura Leigh collects teapots which I found out soon after we started dating. She has a variety of them, some being from her grandmothers. Therefore, the collection is really important to her. For our first Christmas I surprised her with a vintage inspired teapot and teacup set. Now I’m part of her meaningful collection!
on Laura Leigh sweater | dress: modern trousseau | shoes | earrings | cuff | rings: diamonds direct
on Joshua suit: belk | shirt: jos.a.banks | bowtie: the knotty tie | boots: ariat | rings: diamonds direct
See our original wedding photos here, here, here, and here. Plus, marriage posts here, here, and here.
Aww these photos are so cute!! I wish Ya’ll a merry Christmas too.
https://sugarcoatedbears.blogspot.com/
Aw thank you so much Courtney!! Merry Christmas!
xo Laura Leigh
These photos are gorgeous and how awesome that you got to rewear your dress?! And I made that ’52 things i love about you’ card deck for ryan a few years ago for valentines day. such a fun and crafty gift!
xo. Kristina
Thank you Kristina! Yes, getting to rewear the dress was so special. I didn’t want to take it off, again ha. Aw yay! Wasn’t it so much fun to make?
xo Laura Leigh
ok these are just adorable!! love, love love!
Aw thanks Emily!!!
xo Laura Leigh
Y’all are precious! Merry Christmas! xo!
Thanks sweet gal!! Merry Christmas to y’all as well!
xo Laura Leigh
I love hearing about your christmas traditions! They are so special! I am so excited for christmas and omg these photos are adorable!
http://www.rdsobsessions.com
Me too gal! Loved reading about yours. Thank you so much Rach! We really appreciate that. Merry Christmas!
xo Laura Leigh
Gorgeous photos together! and such a great way to celebrate your anniversary! Great to learn more about you and your holiday traditions. Merry Christmas!
Thank you Jessica! They were so much fun to take. Merry Christmas to you as well!
xo Laura Leigh
These photos came out beautiful! Happy anniversary and Merry Christmas! Love hearing about all the future traditions you’re going to create.
xo, Amanda
http://www.aglamlifestyle.com
Thank you Amanda! We could not be more happy with them. Aka totally obsessed. Merry Christmas to you and yours as well!
xo Laura Leigh
DYING. These are AMAZING! I love love love these photos and you two are the sweetest couple! xx
Pink Champagne Problems
Ah YAY! So glad you loved them!!! We couldn’t be more obsessed with them. Thanks so much Dana!!!!
xo Laura Leigh
you two are adorable!!
Thank you Maggie!
xo Laura Leigh
Such a beautiful way to celebrate anniversary! All the pictures are so stunning.
Rita | http://www.styleroundtheclock.com
Aw thanks gal! We thought so too. Taking them was so much fun as well.
xo Laura Leigh
These phOtos are absolutely stunning! Merry Christmas!
Liz
Thank you so much gal! I hope you had a wonderful Christmas!
xo Laura Leigh
Merry Christmas. Love this pics!
Thank you! Merry Christmas to you as well!
xo Laura Leigh
Merry Christmas to you and your family sweet girl! Love your outfit!
Thanks so much Greta! Merry Christmas to you and yours as well!
xo Laura Leigh
This is gorgeous! It reminds my of Pride and Prejudice!
Aw thank you! That is such a sweet compliment.
xo Laura Leigh
THis is so cute!
Thanks love!!!
xo Laura Leigh
Beautiful post! I loved every single image!!
Thank you so much Ruthie! You’re truly the kindest.
xo Laura Leigh
These pictures came out so cute! I love them!
http://moosmusing.com
Aw thank you Mariah!
xo Laura Leigh