[Kelly and Mike, the wedding]

At nearly every wedding I photograph, I marvel over the closeness of family, the happiness of the day and the beginning of new family, and how much this all means to the couple in the spotlight.  Yet I have never before been a part of a wedding that comes close to the meaning that this one held for Kelly and Mike.
I photographed their engagement session nearly a year ago, and shortly thereafter, Mike fell gravely ill.  Since then it has been nothing but an uphill battle, and after much time on the path to recovery, Mike is now the picture of health.  I truly did not know what to expect for the wedding day (I kept finding myself thinking about it while say, driving to work and choking back tears), but there were far fewer tears than I expected. Rather, the day was purely euphoric and a perfect beginning to their next chapter in life.

Too true.

Throughout all of this, Kelly was a pillar of strength.  Each time I corresponded with her, she was so positive and enthusiastic about the day...I have to admit this whole experience really made me think about life a little differently, and how even the small bits of time we can enjoy with one another are so very important...



And Mike, looking positively dapper, is also one of the most resilient people I have ever met. Nothing was going to deter him from having the best day ever.















I just love this image- "we've made it at last!"







"Talking Woody doll if you smile for the picture!"  I love a good bribe :)



Kelly and Mike wanted nature for their photos, and Nature they received.  We went out to Tifft for some pictures, and the autumn light could not have been more incredible....

Pearl Street reception and Lego people!  Does this day ever stop being so perfect?!

During the speeches, it all hit home a little bit, but that didn't stop the rest of the evening from being the mot spectacular night....nearly everyone was out on the dancefloor, and it was one of those types of parties where I seriously wanted to ditch my camera and jump right in!

I am so thankful that I could have been part of something so profoundly important.  This is really why I photograph weddings....for certain, they satisfy my cravings for visual stimulation, but when it comes down to it, i really fall in love with my subjects, and their families and friends...and just a little bit, it reminds me of how important my own family is to me.  Thanks guys, for allowing me to be a part of your day!

[bridgette and jason]

so....two posts in two days!  What is going on you may ask?   A new computer and frantic editing, I reply!  Oh, and a new website in the works as well.  No time like the week before school begins again to tackle all of this, but that's how I roll, I suppose.  Anyway, I hope you enjoy these images from Jason and Bridgette's evening wedding....I kind of wish most weddings were at this time, as the light is so gorgeous.  The ceremony was at Trinity Church on Delaware, which has, if you didn't know, some beautiful examples of Tiffany stained glass.

This cracks me up....I LOVE this image of Bridgette and Jason....the way he looks at her, her beauty, the casualness of the group, and the bridesmaid who is clearly not aware that I am photographing.



Ahh...Pearl Street.  My home away from home, it seems.  BEST pot roast ever (this from a former almost vegetarian).  They did not disappoint once again, despite not having power to more than half of the building for a majority of the evening.....even the candle lit bathrooms were rather cozy!











These two were busting moves all evening!  And, I have to thank the flower girl, who was my shooting assistant for a portion of the reception :)

[jenna and scott]

You just know that you are going to be in for super wedding when the couple you are about to photograph offers to dance at the beginning of their engagement session.  That couple is Jenna and Scott.  And yes, the wedding was much more than super.....marvellous, spectacular, I could go on and on.  I had to really reign myself in for this blog post too, so that I didn't end up with 100 images!

Trinity Lutheran Church is where all the festivities began....Jenna's uncle officiated the ceremony.  I mentioned in my last wedding post that the best weddings are those that are super personal and let you into the couple's lives.....this was one of those ceremonies.  I am always struck by vows that are written by the couple, and in this case, Jenna's uncle had a lot to contribute as well.



And so began the sermon....Jenna's uncle had 2 backpacks filled with "essentials" both for camping, but as metaphors for a life together.....which started with two boxes of DOTS.

It does not get any better than this....Jenna and Scott did nothing but smile at and cuddle with each other all day long.  Great camera material!

Jenna's dream wedding vehicle was a jeep....wish granted!

We then headed over to Tifft for some pictures....

Ok.  So there is definitely something about Pearl Street for weddings.  There is a certain energy, or is it the people that choose Pearl Street who have the magic?  Don't know, but it was definitely something else!

I think this really set the bar for the rest of the evening!

Who else can pull off a TANGO for their first dance together?

I love, love, love Pearl Street for the brick everywhere.  We sneaked outside for a few intimate photos....and then, I hear someone calling my name- Dave and Gretchen from a couple of years ago.  I love Buffalo's small town-ness!

Another totally unique event at this wedding was the anniversary dance/garter removal.....Scott took a garter off of Jenna, then there was an anniversary dance, and then the lucky winners (Jenna's grandparents) got to put the garter back on.  Too cool!!

Another wedding with lots and lots of kids!  And these kids knew how to dance!