We have been keeping this a secret far too long! And by “we” I mean my sweet friend Marcie of Celebrating Love by Marcie and myself. We have been dropping hints for months trying our very best not to give too much away before our plans were finalized. Marcie and I met at a bridal show in the spring of 2011 and our friendship has grown ever since, especially once my husband joined the same career field that her husband is in. God is so wonderful like that and He knows what we need. He gave me a relationship with Marcie before my husband became a police officer because He knew I would not only adore Marcie as a person, but need her as a fellow officer wife who has been through everything that we are going through in his training and first years on the job as a young family. Not only that, but in many ways we are living parallel lives just separated by 15 or 20 years of time.  I’m so humbled and overjoyed to say that today she is one of my very best friends and immeasurably precious to me! Not only are we embarking on a joint project for senior girls, Delighted Seniors, but we have a new and wonderful shared journey ahead! …

We are opening a shared studio! It will be located in the beautiful, luxurious, and newly renovated Love It at Stella’s building in downtown Westminster on Center Street. We estimate to move into the studio sometime around May or June of this year. Eeek! Both Marcie and I are extremely honored to be a part of the vision that the owners of Love It at Stella’s have to create a group of amazing wedding industry professionals located in one suite in Carroll County Maryland. This opportunity is 100% a God-given opportunity that neither of us were looking for. It required us to take a big leap of faith and God was faithful. Above and beyond faithful!

I am so in awe of God’s provision, timing, and goodness that I feel speechless at times and at other times like I can’t say enough. He is truly good ALL THE TIME! This year, 2015, is my ninth year as a photographer and fourth year full time. The last three to four years have been hard. Starting and growing a business from nothing, especially in this economy and while starting and growing a family, is not for the faint of heart. But where God calls, He provides, in His perfect time. About seven or eight years ago I can remember driving down main street Westminster running errands with my mom. We’d talk a bit about my dreams for the future and how much I loved doing photography, which was pretty new to me at the time. I clearly remember wanting so badly to have a studio in downtown Westminster one day. It was such a strong pull that it was much more than just a “want” or “desire”… I now know that it was a calling. Most of the time I doubted that it would ever happen because it didn’t happen in my timing or they way that I envisioned it happening. But today I am glad that things didn’t happen my way or in my timing or else I would have missed out on the beautiful story that God was writing for me… and the precious relationships that He’s brought into my life in the meantime. My favorite and most precious parts of “my story” so far have always involved people… needing others and being so blessed and loved by other people. This part of my story is no different. I couldn’t do this without Marcie or the lovely owners of Love It at Stella’s as well as the wonderful owner of the building. That is an amazing and humbling experience to need others to accomplish your goals and reach your dreams. God created us that way. He didn’t intend for us to operate completely independently from each other. He created us to love, encourage, give, and even sacrifice for others.

Marcie wanted to add the following:

I echo EVERY word of Jenna’s! We connected the first time we met. She is one of the most kind, thoughtful and genuine women I know and has become a precious friend and business colleague. I also thought this “dream” was wayyyy down the road and even when I went to the first meeting I said “I’m just here to listen because I am not in the position to make this move right now”. I went home and told my husband how perfect everything seemed, as did Jenna. When Jenna and I talked a few days later we realized both of our husbands had the same response: “Why not? It couldn’t be more perfect!” While Jenna and I may initially have been uncertain about such a big leap and were nearly ready to turn down this amazing opportunity because of our fear, God had other plans, as He usually does for me! He always dreams way bigger than my insecure mind and heart can. Back before Christmas Jenna and I made the decision to trust God and and take this HUGE step and leap of faith. I figured I would try it for just a year and see what happens. After a tough month, back in the fall, wrestling with my doubts, fears and insecurities… I let go. As soon as I did I started booking more and more brides and can say I am officially booked for 2015 and am booking into 2016. God has been so gracious to us through every step of this… we TRULY are beyond overwhelmed by His goodness. – Marcie

We can not wait to share our beautiful new space to meet with our wonderful clients. Stay tuned for updates on progress and an official move-in date!!! A huge, HUGE “thank-you” to our clients, friends, and family who have supported, encouraged, and believed in us since day-one of leaping into this crazy journey of ours! We wouldn’t be where we are today without you.

Follow us on social media!

Marcie:

Instagram: @celebratinglovebymarcie     Twitter: @EventsByMarcie     Facebook: Celebrating Moments by Marcie

Jenna:

Instagram: @jennashriver     Twitter: @JennaShriver     Facebook: Jenna Shriver Photography

^“17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. ¹⁸ He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.” – James 1:17-18 NIV