An extra special wedding...
A little bit of background, I met Whitney in the winter of 22', we both were working at a pizza joint in Ephraim where we were both living at the time. We became very fast friends and were connected at the hip shortly after. Now 4 years later I was able to do the honor of being my best friends wedding photographer. So this wedding will always live a little closer in my heart and was extra special. Seeing her through her life the past few years and meeting, dating, getting engaged, and now married to Alan has been a blessing to me. Although we live far away from each other she is always my first friend I phone.
Getting Ready
Bright and early we kicked off getting ready, it was a flurry of hair being curled, makeup being carefully put on, and dresses being steamed. Whitney definitely caught the bridal glow, as she was sitting there waiting for her turn she just had a gorgeous glow about her. She looked wedding ready although she was still in her pjs.
One of my favorite parts of being a photographer is taking a step back and seeing everyone. Not seeing just them but getting to see their excitement build as they gradually get ready for the ceremony. Getting to see the father of the bride dote on his wife that was all dolled up. Getting to see the younger brother watch his sister get ready to be a wife. There is such a reverent excitement about it that only follows a wedding day.
Every part of her getting ready was perfect. The hair and makeup stylists were working their magic, the music was playing, and most of all Whitney was getting ready to be called a wife. Something she has been looking forward to a long time. Even down to the details was just perfection.
Bridals
Bridals are arguably one of my favorite things on a wedding day. You can't really beat the love and excitement of the ceremony but there is something so soft and slow about bridals. I try to never rush bridals, I love seeing their love expressed in photos and as I direct them in poses and prompts. I get to see how they make it their own and I just get to see more and more of their love. The deep type of love that you notice in the little things.
When doing bridals I get to see how the groom picks up the back of her dress as they walk to the next location, I get to see him push her hair out of her eyes or fix a bump because he knows her well enough to take care of that. It's how she straightens his jacket and when she licks her finger to wipe a smudge off his cheek. The very real moments of love that are usually taken for granted are able to bloom in bridals.
If I could do bridals for every shoot I probably would, they are just too fun!
Reception
Now comes the party! Wedding receptions are the most unique parties because you can go from tearing up at the couples first dance and last dance with their parents to laughing and jumping up and down to YMCA and Dancing Queen. These two truly knew how to bring the party! There were people of the dance floor all night and laughter all night.
The shoe game brought more laughter as did the cake cutting when they got a little rowdy.
Just the whole feeling surrounding weddings is just the best. There are no wrong ways to do it and to see a love beginning start is not a blessing I take for granted.
A peak into the gallery
