Saturday, June 29 started out lovely…..and we were on our way to a beautiful beach wedding in South Haven, to celebrate with Robert & Nancy and their family and friends. There were so many details to look forward to, so many little special touches, adorable flower girls (their daughter), and the fun of having the entire wedding party & event in one beautiful location.
Like a number of our couples from out of town, we had never officially “met” them prior to their wedding. She and I had a lovely skype meeting a few months earlier, but because they are living in Texas, we didn’t meet until the morning of their wedding. Didn’t matter. It was easy, it was comfortable, and sharing in their day, well, I felt like I’d known them both for quite some time!
The mood was relaxed, the friends were excited, and the location – gorgeous! With the colors Nancy chose and the beautiful floral by Elements of Elegance, they achieved what Nancy wanted – a caribbean-style wedding on the banks of Lake Michigan, where she grew up.
As the day progressed….so did the rain clouds. While a backup plan was in place – what Nancy wanted — and deserved, was the wedding of her dreams. I don’t want to hijack my own post for a little soapbox moment, but since it’s my blog, I’m going to take it. As a photographer, I believe beautiful images are important. Oh, I really do. I love having plenty of time in a wedding day to “get everything.” I love time with my couples, exploring location & relationship. I love knowing I’ve got it covered. But when rainclouds come in and you look at a schedule….and at a bride with tears in her eyes….you know in your heart that what is MOST important to the couple is having the wedding day they dreamed of having. I knew we would probably have to cut out some of our picture time – but fewer portraits at the end meant nothing in the face of having a happy bride on her wedding day.
So we waited. It rained. Not much, and it was pretty fast. Guests hung out together, and everyone scrambled to cover electronics & put together a plan to dry off the chairs. The rain passed….and the skies were creamy & overcast, and Rob and Nancy had the most beautiful ceremony on the shores of Lake Michigan, just liked they planned.
Being a two-photographer team, we can work pretty fast and make up lost time, and we did. We got lovely images, and then we went on to the reception to celebrate!
There were so many fun elements to this reception – my favorite being the song & dance performed by her sisters (sorority) – it’s a tradition – and it was neat to see it, and that bond of sisterhood and friendship that is so strong.
It was truly a beautiful wedding, and such a joy to be a part of it. Rob & Nancy, we wish you and your family a lifetime of happiness…..and may every drop of rain in life remind you of your wedding day, and the joy you felt as you promised together forever!
– Lynell & Dan
