Amy and Nate: THE Wedding

Two people.
Choosing each other.
Choosing to hold hands and walk through life with each other at their side. Choosing to hold each other when life feels like a suped-up game of bumper cars with no exit in sight. Choosing to laugh at each other's jokes...even when they aren't exceedingly funny. Choosing to share their inner thoughts, their inner life, their whole self with that person.
It's beautiful.
And Amy and Nate's wedding was just that.  Because their love is beautiful.  In a world that can be a very dark place, their commitment to each other and their love waltzes in and immediately reminds you of the beauty of life.

Amy and Nate...oh my goodness.  There are not words that could begin to capture how much I adore you.  You two (your families, your entire bridal party and your guests) simply must be some of the greatest people.  EVER.  Amy, knowing you is a gift.  You bring joy to everyone around you.  And Nate...when I saw your Air Jordan's at your engagement session, I knew you'd be one of my favorite guys in the world.
Thank you.  Thank you for sharing your lives with us.  Thank you for all the ways you've continually blessed EVERYONE around you, especially on your wedding day.  Thank you for your humble love for each other.  When I watched the two of you holding hands as we relocated in the middle of your ceremony to avoid the rain, I found tears in my eyes.  Because in that moment, I felt like your relationship was clear.  No matter what life might bring, you won't let go.
Because you won't let go of the One who brought you together.  And we know He will never let go of you.
We love you guys.


* Update: earlier I had a special song just for Amy and Nate courtesy of the unbelievably talented Andrea Bustin on their slide-show.  For the moment, we unfortunately needed to take down her song "Record Player" because she has not received her copy-right papers yet.  And we'd all like that song to be Amy and Nate's song, (and of course Andrea's) and not run the risk of her incredible music being copied.  You are still welcome to view their slide-show and their song will reappear as soon as everything is in order!  But still, please be on the lookout for Andrea's CD release a little later this fall! 


 And now...some pictures

 And yes, I almost passed out from excitement when I first saw her shoes.

This little flower girl was beyond precious.

Amy, you are GORGEOUS.

And why is she doing her own make-up?  Only because she's one of the most talented make-up artists EVER.  Seriously, any future brides out there - remember her.  She's INCREDIBLE. 

[Sigh]

LOVE LOVE LOVE.  And yes, Amy had a matching pair for the reception.

The big reveal.  And can we note what a beautiful mother of the bride we have here?!?

This melts me every time.  After hugging his daughter, Mr. Clancy just couldn't take his eyes off of her. 

These girls?  AMAZING.  And oh so talented.  And sweet.

Amy, you are so cute.

The adorable ring bearer.  (Or as my little girl says, "the bear-ringer")

Love this shot of Nate, his dad and his brothers.  (And my amazing husband took this...  And all the guy preparation shots.  He's my second shooter.  And yes, he rocks)

Can we say GORGEOUS?!?  Their wedding was at Oscar Swan in Geneva.

I loved the programs that doubled as a fan.  And the colors!!!

Nate's smiling because he just broke the sign he was supposed to put up.  And because he's just plain great.  And about to marry the most wonderful woman.

I just melted. Again.

LOVE LOVE LOVE and LOVE some more.

Everyone was cheering for them.  I've never seen a crowd more thrilled for a couple.  It's just one more example of who they are.

And in the midst of having to move their ceremony to their reception tent due to rain in the middle of the ceremony, this was all that mattered.

Okay, I positively LOVE Amy's face here.

And here.  During some of the most hilarious, heart-felt, beautiful toasts.

Their first dance.

Okay, isn't Nate's mom adorable?!?  Their dance was AWESOME.  I kept thinking - that's the kind of relationship I want with my little boy...

Yep.  This is what a gorgeous party looks like.

This little guy made my day.

And so did this...

And finally, here's what you do when you're given rain on your wedding day.  (Prerequisite: be incredibly gorgeous like they are!)

Two Weddings and a Flower Girl

It's been a crazy couple of days.
We watched my brother-in-law and sister-in-law get married.  And it was all things beautiful.  Just like them.
My precious friend, Rachel, amazed me by her love and how she was willing to basically fill in for me with the kids while I had the privilege of being a bridesmaid.
Hannah made the cutest and most hilarious flower girl ever.  And yes, stories will come soon.
I officially received word that I do have Lyme disease.  (and I guess the Health Department will be calling me because this has to be reported.  I find this equal parts awesome and hilarious)
I went 2 days without at least saying hi to my mom and dad.  Strange. 
Yesterday, Ted and I shot Amy and Nate's wedding.  And I came home glowing.  Because of who they are.  Because of how they handled rain pouring down right in the middle of their outdoor ceremony. (Nothing could ruin these two starting their lives together)  Because of their incredible parents.  Because of one of the best bridal parties ever.  And because it was one of those moments where I walked out and knew...I was meant to do this.
There's a real blog post coming soon, but in the meantime, here's just a few of my favorites.  (Which I had the WORST time narrowing down.)

A letter to my future camera...

Dear $2500 Camera that I can't afford,

One day I will own you.  Somehow.  And not because you are $2500, but because your ISO capabilities would make you my best friend.  As would the clarity of your images. 
But today, my friend, is not that day.  So today...I will rent you.  And dream of days to come.
Oh the joys of extremely tight budgets, children and things that like to break.
But on that glorious day that you become mine, I'm pretty sure I'll appreciate you all the more than if I could have just afforded you without this serious struggle.  And please, please be worth it.

Love,
Your Future Owner

PS: Do know, I still love my current camera.  She's so good to me.  But we both know you'll give me some possibilities she just can't.  But that doesn't mean I don't love her and all that she has done for me.

Amanda and Jake

Mutual friends.
That's how it all started.
They just so happened to share some of the same friends, which led them to be at the same house at the same time.  And from there, he realized he had found one of the most amazing girls in the world and she started to realize that he was the kind of guy you'd never want to let get away.
Six years later, he presented her with a ring because she's the girl he'd never want to live another day without.

Next year, Amanda and Jake will be sharing vows to share all of life together.  The ups and downs.  The sickness and the health.  The laughter and the tears.  And to keep choosing love: when it's hard, when you couldn't imagine anything else and every moment in between.  And I couldn't be more excited for them.  Unfortunately, our dates didn't work out for me to be a part of their wedding (although another insanely talented photographer I really respect will be capturing the beauty of that day!) I still had the honor of taking some engagement pictures for them.  To celebrate this moment, this love, this season.

Amanda and Jake, you guys rock.  Thanks for braving oppressive humidity, for laughing at my jokes, and for just being all around incredible.  I'm so excited for you two.

LOVE the way she looks at him.

Amanda.  You are GORGEOUS.

Love this series...