When you first start to photograph weddings, you need to find couples who are willing to take a chance on you, a newbie, to capture the most important day of their lives. It’s a big job. An important one. And it’s hard to “break in” when there are many other photographers with years of experience who are offering the same work. For me, I was lucky to have found Rachel and Geoff who not only invited me to photograph their wedding day, but welcomed me as part of their entire extended family. Over the years, I’ve had the pleasure of photographing multiple events for them: birthdays, babies, and most recently, Ashley and Danny’s wedding…a day…no a weekend…where I felt like not just a hired photographer, but a piece of the family, and capturing memories for them made my heart so happy.
Ashley & Danny’s day was not just a wedding, it was truly a celebratory event. Ashley and her mother, my beautiful friend, Lisa, gave all of their guests (all 400+ of them!) a weekend experience: from a welcome party with s’mores and a Mug Club, to big, huge breakfasts, to a wedding that will go down in the books, to after parties with caricature artists and so, so much more. But most importantly, they created a feeling–one of love and thanks for the friends and family who attended. I don’t think one single guest left this wedding weekend feeling anything less than important and special in the lives of Ashley, Danny, and their families, myself included. But perhaps the thing that stood out the most to me during this weekend was that this wedding was not a joining of two families–because Ashley and Danny’s families already seemed like one.
I know you are here to see the pictures from the wedding and not hear me babble on and on about how much I love these two and their families, and I promise, I will, but I just have to say a few more things about the bride and groom before I do. My dear friend, Ashley, she is truly one of a kind. I honestly don’t think I’ve seen anyone more welcoming and more genuine than her. Her heart is so big and although she was so involved in every single spectacular detail of the weekend, she also was so laid back and totally understood that her wedding was not about color pallets and decor, but more importantly, spending time with the ones she loves. And Danny…we all fell in love with Danny this weekend. I am not even sure I can put into words what a great guy he is so I don’t think I’ll try, but will just point you in the direction of the photos of Ashley dancing with her dad and him tearing up as he watches, and all the pictures of him with the second love of his life, little Vera, the flower girl, or the shot of him dancing with his 91 year old grandmother on the dance floor. I knew I loved Danny when we hung out after our engagement session this winter and he was a blast, but I had no idea what a gigantic sweetheart he is.
OK. I’ll forgo telling you about all the amazing details created by Ashley, Lisa, and the girls for Darling Creative Company, or telling you about how we almost lost our lives in the off road vehicles that climbed to the top of wet and muddy Loon Mountain during our portrait session, or the train we road into the reception on and get right down to the good stuff.
Ashley…break out the tissues, my dear!
Huge, huge thanks to my friend, Matt Wood, who joined me for the weekend and got some spectacular shots, including the getting ready photos of the guys.
The middle picture is so Ashley. Love you, girlfriend!
Did I mention that Ashley and Danny hate having fun? 😉
These two…
Your day was perfect. Every detail was well planned and amazingly executed. But I don’t have to tell you that it wasn’t about that—it was about never ending love and knowing that the bad days will come, but being able to celebrate the good. I love you ALL! Thank you, thank you, for letting me be the one to make your memories last.
Venue: Loon Mountain Resort | Details & Design: Darling Creative Company | Video: Curtis Weddings | Music: Joey Scott and the Connection | Dress: Country Wedding | Hair: Julia Ceruolo of Avanti Salon | Makeup: Jackie Donovan Off Road Vehicle: Alpine Zipline | Cake: Jacques | Flowers: Stems in Style
