I did – I do! Ben and Mary, who met in law school, couldn’t wait to be husband and wife, so last year they officially got married by the justice of the peace. This year, they got to say “I do” all over again. This time with friends and family gathered from more than a dozen states.
The celebration was authentic and genuine and full of all the right kinds of emotions as guests gathered at the beautiful Gray Gable Estates. My lovely new niece-in-law, the bride had meticulously planned the wedding down to the minutest detail. She planned and executed the wedding of her dreams.
Every bride and groom I photograph is special to me, but when the groom is your nephew, the couple is even more special. I thought of his angelic looking face and energy as a child as I photographed the man he has become. The connection with family members, made the formal portraits go by fast. I even jumped into one of them.
Gray Gables Estate was the perfect intimate place for friends and family to gather to celebrate Ben’s and Mary’s wedding. We had the use of the entire estate to photograph in and I have to say the location was just dreamy for a photographer. The Estate Lawn is where Mary and Ben first saw each other. After getting ready in the old world style bridal suite which was full of natural light, Mary walked down the stairs and onto the front lawn where Ben was waiting. And the bridal party had the perfect vantage point to watch.
We then walked to The Garden, which was a photo op just waiting to happen, to start the bridal photos. I could look in any direction and see a spot I wanted to use. As guests arrived to the Koi Pond, which is where the bride and groom chose for the ceremony, Mary ducked inside out of sight and I took the Ben back to the man cave for some groom photos
The lovely and heartfelt ceremony was officiated by a friend of the couple. Ben lovingly wiped away Mary’s happy tears during the vows. Following the ceremony, the guests proceeded to The Ballroom for mouth watering appetizers and to greet the married couple.
I wish Mary and Ben as much joy and happiness as they had on their wedding day through out their marriage.
