Zach and Harlee said, "I Do," on July 7th, 2018 in Groesbeck, Texas at the Groesbeck Convention Center on a day dotted with isolated thunderstorms that completely cleared out by the time of their ceremony.
“Meeting you was fate. Becoming your friend was a choice. But falling in love with you was beyond my control.”
Zach and Harlee met through work. Harlee told me that meeting Zach was that day was the "craziest thing" since it was during an intubation. Harlee works at the local hospital and Zach is a paramedic. After this crazy meeting, she told her coworkers that the she thought he was SO cute!
Fast forward a few weeks and these two saw each other yet again at a local convenience store. They talked a little bit and decided to hang out with each other that night - nothing fancy, just sitting around a fire at Zach's house where they literally talked about everything until 3:00 in the morning. As the night progressed, a horrible storm came in and Zach invited Harlee to stay the night rather than driving home in the storm. Zach gave Harlee his bed while he slept on the couch. That morning he woke Harlee up with an amazing breakfast complete with French Toast, bacon and eggs.
Harlee told me that this "date" wasn't a typical first date, but nonetheless this was their first date and she had a tremendous amount of respect for Zach after this date because he treated her with respect by watching out for her during the storm and taking care of her as well.
That December Zach proposed. They went to the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas and during one of the days they decided to get on a bus to take a helicopter tour. The helicopter took them on a trip over the Grand Canyon. During this trip Zach pulled out his phone and asked Harlee to watch a video. The video was a video of his three children asking Harlee to be their stepmom. It was the sweetest thing she ever saw! Zach then showed Harlee a ring and asked her to be his wife.
Harlee's bridal session
I first met Harlee at her bridal session where I learned a lot about her, however I did not meet Zach at this time. I knew he had to be someone special because it was obvious that Harlee adored him! When I first met Zach at the wedding, he was extremely calm and almost always had a smile on his face. Seeing Zach and Harlee together was a beautiful thing, but what made it even more beautiful was seeing Zach and Harlee together with Zach's three children. They each looked at Harlee so lovingly throughout the entire wedding day, especially during the ceremony! Harlee expressed how much she loved Zach's children when she told me that when when she married Zach she also took on a huge commitment of parenting as well. She now has three beautiful children that she loves with everything within her!
Mr. and Mrs. Barkouskie with their three children.
I am always in awe at each and every wedding (and this wedding was no exception). Every wedding is completely different. Every wedding has a different feeling about it. Every interaction between the bride and groom is different. During the ceremony, Zach and Harlee symbolized their bond with a Unity Braid Cross. These can be purchased online, however Harlee's father made it for them. In fact, he made many of their decorations for the wedding. There was so much meaning behind all the details!
Unity Braid Cross made by Harlee's father
“Always keep God in your relationship. Choose to love each other even when you struggle to like one another. Always make time for one another, even when it seems impossible. Surround yourself with friends that will support your relationship and strengthen it. Learn to listen to understand, not just to respond. Put old relationships in the past, and don’t compare it to y’alls relationship. And never keep secrets or lie to one another. ”
Mr. and Mrs. Barkouskie
Harlee and Zach, I always find a song to dedicate to newlyweds. Finding your song made me really think! I wanted to find a song that talked about the love for you two have for each other, but I wanted something that went above and beyond that - a song that could also depict the love that you both have for your children. I listened to song after song, but none of them felt right until I stumbled upon this one. It was completely new to me! I played it over and over, just to make sure that it was "the one." And it definitely is "THE ONE!" Harlee and Zach, I hope you always remember that you are each "Better Today" because you have one another in your lives each and every day, and even more so because you are blessed with three beautiful children each and every day.
Special thanks to Angela Bailey with Angela Bailey Photography for assisting me in capturing the special details and memories on this extraordinary day!
Vendors
Ceremony and Reception: Groesbeck Convention Center
Coordinator: Glenda Bennett (mother of the bride that did an EXCEPTIONAL job)
Florist: Penny Lenamon at Rusty Rose Flower Shop in Groesbeck, Texas
Cake Artist: LaNei Cadenhead at Butter Cup Bakery in Centerville, Texas
DJ: Colby Blacknall
Makeup Artist: Shelby Ellison (sister of the bride)
Hair Artist: Meredith McClinton, Hubbard, Texas
Bridesmaids Dresses: Georgio's Bridal
Bridal Gown: David's Bridal
Tuxes: Bealls
Officiant: Clint Mello (ordained/uncle)
Invitations: Shutterfly and Walmart
Security: Limestone County Sheriff's Department