My birthday was yesterday. I got to do something pretty
awesome. I photographed a Marine and his bride on their wedding day.
And, my second-shooter was … my husband!
My birthday gift was a new 35mm, f/1.8 lens. I was a happy
lady! It was perfect for this wedding inside a conservatory.
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| My husband bought me a 35mm f/1.8 lens for my birthday, and my kids bought my second camera body a new body strap and hand strap! |
Over the past several years, I’ve had the distinct honor of becoming friends with several Marines – whether through work, writing articles about
them, photographing them or being introduced to them through other Marines.
So a wonderful Marine friend of mine (who I think boxed up
some sun from Florida and sent it here just for today … because if you live
in the Midwest, you know we haven’t seen sun in forever) introduced me to a
Marine friend of his, who introduced me to his girlfriend, who then became his
fiancé, who, yesterday, became his bride. And they asked me to do their photos.
Weddings are beautiful, but this wedding held a special
place in my heart. The couple is courageous and deeply rooted in faith. It was so
evident throughout the planning and the ceremony that the bride and groom were
focused on the people whom this marriage would bring together – and the bond of
marriage itself – rather than just this day. And that made the day all the more
special. Throughout the day they demonstrated a focus on self-sacrifice, love,
commitment and patience.
Their perspective made me reflect on my own marriage and how
blessed I am, thirteen-and-a-half years later, that there is a comfort and a
love that sustains us as we continue to navigate the waters of marriage. This
couple’s love for each other was unmistakable throughout the evening ~ and it made
me even happier that I was there to shoot alongside my own husband.
Photographing kids makes me happy. And this wedding had a
lot of them.
Watching the groom wait for his bride made my own heart
flutter. I couldn’t help but smile as he eagerly anticipated catching a glimpse
of his future wife. What a beautiful time -- those moments in between seeing your fiancé and calling her your wife!
The bride’s smile was contagious. Her heart was so focused
on taking care of everyone at her wedding and her reception. She is truly a
kind and generous person. I watched her tend to crying children, hug family,
run to the door to welcome others as they walked in and make certain that,
above all, people knew that they were loved.
And, also, it was a Marine Corps wedding – Semper Fi and
Oorah were heard early and often throughout the night. There is something
beautiful about the Marine Corps loyalty. I was honored to be asked to capture
some of its magnificence on display tonight.
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Congratulations, L and C ~ your marriage and your family
truly are blessed!
After the ceremony, the after party was hosted by Gene’sPlace, owned and operated by a U.S. Marine veteran, and there a nice little
nook to take some photos of the groom and his fellow Marines looking serious
with the Marine Corps flag behind them.
Another shout out to Steve with Ahoj Productions for doing
the videography.
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