We’ve been photographing weddings for a long time now….14 years, actually, which is hard to believe. Even after all of these years, I am still in awe of the power of love!

The real joy for me is seeing how love presents itself in so many different ways. Sometimes it’s quiet and reserved and harder to see, and, other times, it’s so big and in your face, it nearly knocks you over. I must admit, I tend to love big myself, so I am more affected by this kind of love.

But, even for me, the love shared between Jenn & Jordan came as something of a surprise….a wonderful, glorious, inspiring, this-is-something-to-celebrate kind of surprise. In fact, it moved me in such a way that I’ve struggled with how to really do it justice in this post….and it’s taken me longer than I like or expected to compose my thoughts and craft words that would honor Jenn & Jordan and their beautiful love.

Sorry Jenn & Jordan, but you guys are just too freaking awesome, what can I say?!! And, Jenn…..after your vows, which completely blew me away (and everyone else in attendance)….I just didn’t know how to follow that!

But….I’ll try.

If you’re a regular visitor to this blog, you probably remember Jenn & Jordan, and how I gushed about them back in May, when we got together for their engagement session. Andy & I had been looking forward to photographing them since first meeting months earlier. And, watching them together in front of our cameras confirmed everything we expected….such sweetness, silliness, complete adoration and oodles of love. Still, nothing could have prepared us for what was to come.

Yes, the details were stunning. The flowers were gorgeous, the bride a vision and the setting could not have been more perfect. But, the love….oh, man, the LOVE! It was overwhelmingly beautiful, and getting to be there and be a part of it was truly a gift! Their Chatham Bars Inn wedding gave new depth and meaning to the vows so many take, perhaps without really thinking about them. For Jenn & Jordan, they had already begun living their vows before they spoke them to each other with such sweet sincerity.

An outsider looking in would have no idea that just a few weeks earlier Jenn was diagnosed with Stage III Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. A second opinion reduced it to Stage II, but doctors still wanted to start treating Jenn aggressively…and right away.

She had surgery to put in a port and began treatment. At about that same time, Jenn’s grandmother passed away, with Jenn at her side. The stress of seeing her granddaughter suffering and her daughter (Jenn’s amazing mom, Mary) beside herself with worry proved too much for her failing heart.

All of this might make some question whether to go ahead with the wedding, but not Jenn & Jordan. Their love cannot be denied and besides, “for better or worse” had already begun for them.  Plus, if you’re lucky enough to know Jenn & Jordan you know they are two of the most lovely, kind, wonderful, loving, positive people you could ever hope to meet. And although they’re not the type to complain, they and those who love them most all needed something to celebrate, a break from the cloud that hung over them and a chance to focus on all that beautiful LOVE.

And, focus on love they did….in a big, beautiful, someone-pass-me-a-tissue kind of way!!!

Watching them together, pledging their hearts to one another, when “in sickness and in health” had more meaning than it does for most was truly a gift. Couples like Jenn & Jordan are why we do what we do. Getting to document that kind of love….the kind that makes you a better person just for being around it….is just the coolest thing!

So, without further ado…we’ll let the love do the talking….and invite you to share in the joy that was Jenn & Jordan’s wedding day.

Jenn gets the finishing touches on her hair, while her soon-to-be mother-in-law, Linda, and sister-in-law, Jackie, look on with all smiles.

You can tell how wonderful Jenn & Jordan are by the company they keep. Days after finding out about Jenn’s diagnosis and the treatment she would soon be undergoing, Jenn’s friends secretly rallied and started a Go Fund Me page to help with the unexpected slew of medical expenses, figuring too that Jenn would likely have to miss work while she focused on her health.

Within just a few days, their friends raised thousands of dollars. Click HERE if you want to help too. They surprised Jenn by gathering together at her mom’s house to show her a book they’d put together with photos and messages of love & support. And, the last page highlighted the secret fundraising website, which left Jenn unusually speechless and in a puddle of happy tears.

But that wasn’t all. After the wedding, an old friend from high school, whom Jenn hadn’t seen or spoken to in ages had heard about what she was going through and wanted to help, so he arranged another fundraiser/fun night out at the Boston Improv Comedy Club to help lift spirits as the honeymoon was put on hold so Jenn could continue with her chemo.

All of this love and support could most definitely be felt on the wedding. There were some tears….though most were happy, loving, supportive tears. I may have shed a few myself. But, all of the scary ugliness that comes with a cancer diagnosis was put away for a most glorious day of love and joyful celebration. Here, Jenn’s besties, Kerri, Sheri & Elizabeth oozing with love & happiness for their gal pal….

Happy, wonderful, delightful Jenn has her veil put on….

After her hair & make up is done, Jenn gets a warm embrace from her sweet momma, Mary. Love this sweet wedding hankie Jenn got to dry her mom’s happy tears. So beautiful!!

Sheri & Mary help Jenn get in her gorgeous wedding gown. Va Va Va Voom…

The girls gather to help button Jenn in….

Meanwhile, across the property in another room at CBI, Jordan and his mates snap on their suspenders and pull up their socks in preparation for what was to be an unforgettable day…

Jordan gets a little help from his BM Robb. Sweetest guys.

Checking out the bling….

First looks are my fave….look at how these two react to seeing each other for the first time on the day they become hubs & wife. Just delightful!

Sooooo much love!!!

Love the pink-a-licious invites they choose by Splash Stationers in Sandwich and the gorgeous blush inspired flowers by Enchanted Florist in Centerville. And, per their request…..a fun snap for their guest thank you cards. Adorable.

Jenn & Jordan and their super fun posse. Love this group!

Jenn & her gal pals….and blue “I do!” proudly stuck to her beachy flip flops.

Guests begin arriving for the ceremony.

Love these candid moments of guests as they excitedly wait for the love fest to begin. This next photo makes me exceptionally happy because it includes two former Bello brides….Jenn’s cousin, Laura (in foreground) and friend Keri, whose wedding we photographed about 10 years ago. She’s as gorgeous as ever and we love the dark new hair, which totally stumped us when it came to immediately recognizing her.

As Jenn stood at the top of the stairs, ready to make her descent, Jordan was overcome with emotion. Me too!!

Loooove how you can feel the excitement, anticipation, love and pride in this next one as Mary leads her sweet girl to her soon-to-be husband. Love. Love. Love!!

And, more love…

The way these two look at each other, it’s just beautiful.

Jordan’s sister, Jackie, read a beautiful reading for the couple and had to hold her heart to keep herself together. It was just so lovely. And, again….the way these two look at each other. Be still my love loving heart!

Jordan’s beautiful vows to his bride were so touching…how he kept it together is beyond me.

And, like Jenn, who was moved to tears by Jordan’s words, Jordan struggled to keep it together as Jenn shared her vows, which like Jordan’s were so so, beautiful! I could barely contain myself.

And, then it was official….our new missus and mister.

Let the happy flag fly…..

Oh, so high….

I swear it did touch the sky.

Hugs from baby brother Stephen.

Let the celebrations begin. Love these guys!!!

But first, a quite moment for our newlyweds….

To take in the magnitude of the moment.

With a little snuggling on the dock.

Jenn was so cute….when we were taking her photo with whomever, she would grab the person’s head to bring it right in close to her. That’s just how she is….she likes those she loves nice and close! Lucky are those to be loved by her!!

And, doesn’t Jordan know it….look at that smile!!

Like I said earlier, Andy & I have been at this wedding thing for a while, and because there are only a handful of truly amazing places to get married on the Cape (unless you’re lucky enough to have a fabulous property on the water) it can be challenging to find creative, new ways to photograph our couples that feels fresh and different, but still appeals to our timeless sensibility. Working at the same places year after year, it gets increasingly more difficult to find places to put our couples that we and no one else has ever used before (at least that we’re aware of). But, it’s that kind of out-of-the-box thinking that Andy & I have always strived for, and truthfully, I think it’s something we’ve done really well. I remember in the first or second year of our career, a very well established photographer had told us that we raised the bar and changed the way others  photographed on the Cape. It was such a huge compliment, and it was in my mind when I asked Jenn & Jordan if they’d come sit in the beach cabana while I tried something new. I have to say…..I am in LOOOVE with the results. And without sounding too big headed, something tells me these cabanas are going to become a new hot spot for photos. I just loove the architecture of the lines! Having a crazy cute, totally smitten couple snuggling in them sure doesn’t hurt either!

Swoooooon…..

Cape Cod perfection….

More fun lines and happy smooches…

The beach house looked beautiful…orchids are my faves! And in touches of gold and grey and I’m in heaven.

Wedding thrones…

Cocktail hour candids….lots of smiling, happy faces.

And, a congratulatory kiss from Grandma. Be still my heart!

These guys know how to embrace life…it’s so inspiring!

Just before being announced into their reception, Jenn & Jordan share a happy look, as the roars of their friends usher them in…..Wooooo hooo!

Their first dance and hubby & wife….complete with dips and twirls and kisses, oh my!

The look of love and complete contentment. Makes my heart smile!

These two….just too much! The way they are together…it’s so natural and so full of love.

Like no one else was in the room…..

Moved by her momma’s words of support and encouragement…

And, then it was the co-best men’s turn. And, this happened.

Sheri showered Jenn & Jordan in more love-filled words…..

A lone tear on Jenn’s beautiful cheek….and a hug that says it all.

A mouth full of sweetness and a smile to match …..beautiful cake by CBI bakers.

Jenn laughs with her whole body and it is infectious. Love this girl!

Time to get down on it…..

Dance floor selfies….

Tearing it up…..

Co-best man, Andrew…..so much fun!

Towards the end of the night, the DJ (who, by the way, was AMAZING….Way to rock it C-Zone) played a killer remix of Rachel Platten’s Fight Song, which has become Jenn’s battle call. Watching her, surrounded by friends, all singing at the top of their lungs, nearly made my heart explode. I’m not sure if Rachel was thinking of cancer when she wrote  the song, but I think it’s a powerful anthem for survivors everywhere. I think of Jenn every time I hear it on the radio and imagine the day she’s doing Limoncello shots with her loved ones, celebrating her recovery, with this song still playing in the background…

….remembering the love that surrounded her this day….as her fight began and her love story moved to a whole new beautiful level of loveliness!

Jenn & Jordan, we hope you can feel all the love we saw surrounding you both on this most incredible day!! We love you guys so much and feel so grateful that you found your way into our lives and our hearts! Thank you so much for sharing yourselves and this day with us in such a warm and welcoming way. Thank you too, to your friends and family, who made us feel like part of the clan. We hope these photos serve as happy reminders of all the blessings of love in your lives and that we can all do it again to celebrate your five? ten? twenty? etc. year anniversary! Love you both to pieces and cannot wait for you to see the rest of the photos. This is such a small sample of all the beauty and love that was your awesomely inspiring wedding day!!! With big hugs & kisses, Chris & Andy xoxoxoxoxo