In a way, photographing weddings has ruined me. I’m snobby when I plan an event now. “No, no, no, we cannot just use plasticware.” “White folding chairs???” I remarked to my mom with a groan. “Yes, Elizabeth, it’s a three-year-old’s birthday!” Darn.
Snobby, indeed.
When Nick and I got married, we were 19, one year out of high school, determined that we knew exactly what we wanted, and by golly we were gonna have it. Sadly, I had no idea how to plan a wedding, and with my do-it-alone attitude I settled for many of things that I shamefully hang my head at now. Two years into our business and we said – “Ummm….we want a do over!” Nick included, it wasn’t just me! The more weddings we shot, the more I longed for our first dance to have been under gigantic crystal chandeliers illuminated by candle light. On our third Christmas as a married couple, Nick re-purposed **can you even do that???** and told me to plan the wedding of my dreams, and we will do a vow renewal on our 5 year anniversary.
After starting to plan, we quickly realized that both of our dreams were now spoiled with all the weddings we had shot, and it would take years to create a budget large enough to satisfy our hungering…. So now we have said 10 years (which is only 3 years away – don’t ask how the budget is coming, I’ll start to cry).
Why the long back story, Liz, get to the pictures!!!?! Okay, okay. Here is what happened. I walked into the Grand Tradition on Adam and Alyssa’s wedding day and gasped. Like gasping to catch my breath after running a marathon. It was stunning. No… it was EXTRAVAGANT. It was everything I had ever dreamed a wedding should be. Throughout the day you could catch a glance at me tearing up as I wandered around photographing details. And no, it was NOT pregnancy hormones. I was so in love with every single aspect of the wedding, I could hardly contain myself!
Each moment was more emotional. Seeing the reception hall, Alyssa getting in her dress, the horse drawn carriage, Adam quietly wiping a tear as Alyssa walked towards him… I don’t know enough superlatives to describe the incredibleness. I can tell you, my dearest Alyssa, that in three more years, when we have our vow renewal ceremony, don’t be surprised if you feel de javu when you show up. I am still….weeks later…swooning over your wedding.
