LAUREN + MAX STEP INTO THE LIMELIGHT | HYATT REGENCY CLEARWATER BEACH RESORT AND SPA | CLEARWATER BEACH, FL

Lauren & Max

the love story | written by the bride

I apologize for the extended addition of our story in advance...but I think it's rather cute! For those of you who don't know, Max and I met in medical school. We were friends for a while but, unfortunately, we did not get together until two years after we met. We found each other attractive but, for many reasons, did not try to date for a long time.

As time went on, I dated other people but none of them worked out. Max and I became really close during this time and were talking on the phone, Facebook, etc... every night. Around the time of my birthday in October, Max wanted to ensure I had an amazing party so he planned an amazing dinner for me at Mellow Mushroom, my favorite restaurant, and invited all of our friends. He also invited me to see a scary movie at his place ("Sinister") but never really clarified that it was meant to be a "first date". I showed up wearing pajamas to the movie whereas Max had gone all out for this event and was wearing nice cologne and looked like a million bucks. I knew what was going on at that moment but I also knew I had really thrown him off by dressing like I was coming over for a nap.

As my birthday got closer, I wondered if Max would actually show up to the party after my embarrassing moment at the scary movie. He put the whole thing together but I had made it seem like I wasn't interested. To my surprise, he showed up. He greeted me wearing a very handsome plaid shirt and gave me a big hug. He didn't sit next to me, so I did what any other normal, boy-crazy girl would do, I texted him from across the table. I flirted as much as I could trying to show him I was still interested.

We started to talk a lot after that. Eventually, we watched another movie together, an event to which I showed up looking amazing and he came to the door wearing sweat pants and a dirty t-shirt (touché). I told him how I felt that night and he did the same. We started going out and two years of adventures, set backs, excitement and happiness, we got engaged.

For those of you who haven't seen the video, Max proposed in an incredible way. He saved pictures of the two of us from six months into our relationship onward and kept them on his phone. He happens to be a great guitar player and singer so he informed me that he wanted to put on a "Ten-Year Anniversary Show" with his friend, Jacob. He traveled back and forth from Gainesville several times a month for several months, an hour and a half long drive to go practice with his friend. He then rented out a church hall with a stage and invited 75 people who were close to us. We filled the house. He then proceeded to play and sing 15 of our favorite songs he had learned on the guitar. The last song was our song "Love you Like the Movies" by Anthem Lights. During this song, he jumped down from the stage, and had a powerpoint presentation go on behind him of all of our pictures together. He proposed at the end - I obviously said yes!!

From the moment I met Lauren & Max I could feel the sweet and passionate love they both possess for each other. It is undeniable…they are meant to be together. They lift each other up and support each other other through it all. I had the pleasure of following just a small portion of their medical journey as they were both matched to complete their residency at USF and Tampa General Hospital. Lauren in vascular surgery and Max in psychiatry. Just that itself is MAJOR! They both have worked intensely and tirelessly to pursue their dreams… meanwhile planning a wedding!
Ahhh… the wedding day. We LOVED being a part of such a special day. People from all over the world were present to celebrate Lauren & Max, even China. Yes! China. How absolutely amazing is that? Max’s parents who were among the travelers beamed with joy ad pride. It was a beautiful site to see.
Each moment of the day was so incredibly sweet and each detail was perfectly executed. The touches of blush and ivory were just perfection. Classic & elegant.
Thank you Lauren & Max for trusting us to capture your love story… May life bring you many many more joyous moments.

ps. fun fact: Max is probably the fastest typer in the world (no joke!) It’s incredible.

Lead Photographer | Dafne Spencer
Associate Photographer | Carlos Rello