Chris and Ash’s wedding day started as an overcast afternoon in the mountains. When I arrived Ash was having fun with her bridesmaids, all in matching robes, getting dolled up and drinking mimosas together! It was suppose to rain all day but as we headed out for her and Chris’ first look the sun began to shine! Their first look was sweet, intimate and I loved the reaction that they both had. Chris smiled from ear to ear and could not stop looking at Ash, and Ash placed her hand onto his cheek and looked at him with admiration in her eyes.

Ash dawned a Stella York wedding dress, sparkly flats and a rose gold bracelet that was just as sparkly to match! Chris looked handsome in a grey suit with a succulent boutonniere and a tie clip that had his monogram engraved on. The tie clip was also his gifts to all of his groomsmen, with their monograms engraved on them. Right after we got their portraits finished, Ash made the call to move their wedding ceremony inside instead of on the hill overlooking the mountains, because there was a storm coming! Believe me, there was a storm coming, because as soon as her wedding ceremony started inside, the sky opened up and you could hear the rain pouring down! The rest of the evening was spent celebrating Ash and Chris, dancing and eating Ben & Jerry’s ice cream from the ice cream truck! After toasts Chris stood up to acknowledge his love for his Mother who unfortunately passed away before their wedding day. He announced they had a video to play during what would have been their Mother/Son dance.

The video began to play and I quickly realized that this was not going to be a slideshow of pictures. It was Chris and his Mother walking together down a short path in front of Great Falls waterfalls. He kissed his mother on the cheek and sat her down as he stood and waited for Ash. Ash then began to walk down arm and arm with her mother and as she passed Chris’ mother, she blew her a kiss and smiled sweetly. The video hummed a soft song as Ash and Chris said their vows and panned over to Chris’ mother through out the ceremony. Which at one point she stuck her tongue out at the camera and went back to watching this special moment. Chris’ Mom and him shared a dance together in front of the waterfalls and then they all went to the picnic area to share a toast. The video wrapped up with Chris’ Mom toasting to the newlyweds and telling them that they needed to have at least three children, and the clip then went back to the moment she stuck her tongue out at the camera during the ceremony. Ash and Chris got married last year in a small ceremony so that his Mom could be there. This is the kind of love that I am honored to be asked to photograph and I feel that way to have come into Ash and Chris’ life to have been able to photograph their engagements, which she was able to see last fall.

Retelling this moment could never do it enough justice but I had to attempt to retell such a beautiful and humbling moment! It felt like the closest act of a real and loving hug for Chris and Ash that you could get on your wedding day. As I listened to Chris’ mother toast to them on camera in the park I was in awe! I was in awe of them and their family and that I was chosen to be there. This moment, and moments alike, remind me that I know that I am exactly where I am suppose to be in my life and that I am entrusted to make moments last forever, long after they have gone. That is the root to why I am a wedding photographer and Ash and Chris make up the very reason why I love being a wedding photographer.

After such a heartfelt moment that that video brought to everyone Chris and Ash got up to share their first dance! As that proceeded to end, they did not stop dancing! They broke out into a fun and choreographed dance that some of their bridal party joined in on! That dance is what got their party started! Besides their guests taking breaks for the ice cream truck, the celebration for Ash and Chris never stopped! Congratulations to Ash & Chris on your wonderful marriage!

Wedding Venue: Briar Patch Bed & Breakfast

Wedding Planner: Lemon Thyme Events

Wedding Dress: Stella York

Makeup Artist & Hair Stylist: Akilah Bradshaw & Daniela Silvera

Videographer: David Speroni

Caterer: R&R Catering

Musician: Sharif Music LLC

Wedding Cake: Edibles Incredible

DJ: DJ Manny V

Photo Booth: Snap Fiesta Photo Booth

Invitation: Wood Chick

Videographer: ND Visuals

A tremendous Thank You needs to be said to Elizabeth Friske Photography for spending the entire weekend with me, traveling and second shooting their wedding day with me! Thank you!