David and I were so honored when Andy and Katie asked us to photograph their wedding.  While taking their engagement photos, I immediately knew that there was something special about this couple. They treated each other with so much kindness. I had to know more about them. When I read the story of how they met, it all made sense. Here is what Katie sent me via their wedding website:

“How did we meet? We truly have no idea. We were in the same second grade class together, but have no recollection of actually ‘meeting’. I am sure it was during lunch, and Andy asked me, “Are you going to eat that?” It sounds fitting.


Andy actually became best friends with my twin brother, Hunter, during our elementary days. He was over at our house for sleepovers and birthdays. We have essentially grown up together, but certainly had no thoughts of getting married. Andy sat behind me in our Senior Government class surrounded by 3 other girls that are actually in our wedding. We spent that class always laughing and joking, but if you had told us that Andy and I were going to get married i’m pretty sure we all would have laughed … out loud … very loudly. I say that because he was like a brother to me, and we never thought twice about dating one another. 


After high school, Andy was actually roommates with Hunter during college. They lived in an apartment together, and from what I hear it sounded like they had a blast, and never did the dishes. I am so glad Andy has those memories with Hunter because a few years later in 2010 Hunter passed away. The word heart-broken does not even begin to describe the feeling that came along with trying to grasp the fact that Hunter was gone. He was my other half, and I still have a hard time coming to terms with the fact that he’s never comimg home again. He was also a staple in our group of friends. None of us knew how to handle such a loss, but we all came together to try to figure out how. Each person in our wedding knew Hunter in their own way, and most were actually best friends with him as well. We had all gone off to college and went our seperate ways, but always came back together again for holidays and summers. So, when Hunter passed it was no different, except we were missing one. 


Our group of friends spent a lot of time together that summer, and in turn Andy and I spent a lot of time together. We leaned on eachother, and grew closer than we ever had been. In the worst time in both of our lives we found peace in one another, and we have been inseperable ever since. We both wish we had a better story, any other story at all, but that is how we ended up where we are today. 


A friend once told me she thought that Hunter picked Andy to take care of me because he knew what a great person Andy was. That thought has always stuck with me because I think she was right. Hunter knew Andy, and that makes me so happy because I know he would have approved. He might have kicked his butt first, but he would have most certainly approved. Hunter will always be our common bond. He is very much alive in both of us, and we can’t wait to see his spirit live on through our future children. We are going to leave a space open during our wedding with Andy’s groomsmen for Hunter. We know he will be there in our hearts and in spirit.” -Katie Kludy

The wedding took place at the Marty Leonard Chapel and the reception followed at the YWCA in downtown Fort Worth, TX. It was the perfect day; filled with so much love. Andy and Katie did leave an open space between the groomsmen for Hunter at the ceremony and included his favorite color (blue) everywhere. During one of the songs at the reception, all the guest started dancing Hunters’ signature dance move. I never had the privilege of meeting this brother and best friend to many, but I’m sure that night he was there in spirit, smiling as two people that he loved so much celebrated their marriage.

You can see all of Andy and Katies wedding photos at their wedding gallery @ http://kimhayesphotos.pass.us/andy-and-katie/

Thank you Andy and Katie for asking us to be a part of such a special day!
XOXO, Kim
kimhayesphotos.com