The day I married Andy was the best day of my life. There have been days since that have come close, but that day was….Special. I was brimming with emotion….love, joy, and happiness like I’d never felt. Family & friends traveled great distances to be with us and cheer us on. It was incredible.
And like a big red bow, topping off all of that love and goodness was an undeniable sense of awe and gratitude….for I had found this incredible man with whom to share my life, my hopes and my dreams.
We both come from divorced families and the idea of marriage was scary with a capital S. But, knowing that he was willing to take the risk with me, that he believed enough in us to cast fear aside, and more importantly, that he was willing to work at it….because let’s not kid ourselves, marriage takes work…and stand by me through good times & bad, through sickness & health…whatever life may throw our way, well, it moved me in ways I could not have anticipated.
So, when the day came to say, “I do,” the excitement was overwhelming. I found myself giving in to bursts of giddy laughter, clapping randomly out of sheer joy, and feeling like I needed to be pinched, to make sure I wasn’t dreaming.
Last weekend, Andy & I were there as another young couple pledged their lives & hearts to one another. You might remember Hannah & Conrad from our love session with them earlier this summer. Click HERE to see. And, in Hannah, I found myself reliving my own wedding day. All day long, at moments that seemed particularly exciting to Hannah, she would just bubble up with happy and clap her hands in a state of utter elation! It was wonderful to see and was the perfect reminder of why I love what I do.
Unfortunately, our wedding was not captured in photos quite the way either of us had hoped (this was pre-Bello and was actually the inspiration that led Andy & I to wedding photography…long story for another day). But, now with Bello, we have the chance to document this special day of celebration for other couples. And we do so with the same love, care and giddy, pinch-me-I’m-dreaming excitement with which we’d wished our wedding had been captured.
And, so it is with great pleasure we share with you some of our favorite moments and details from Hannah & Conrad’s fabulous Wequassett wedding…
Conrad sent this bottle of Dom over to Hannah to help start her day off right. Yay for sentimental hubbies-to-be with great taste!!! I thought it made the perfect backdrop to highlight the couple’s crazy beautiful engagement/wedding rings.
In this next photo of Hannah as she gets ready to step into her gorgeous Romona Keveza gown, you’ll begin to see what I mean about how she bubbled over with excitement all day long…
BEAUTIFUL….
Hannah’s mom, Judy, helps put on a gorgeous strand of Tiffany pearls that Conrad gave Hannah as a wedding gift.
Off to the church we go….still smiling!
Hannah’s father tragically passed away last year, but Hannah’s brother, Ian, gave Conrad this watch that belonged to their dad as a wedding gift. LOVEEEEE that!!!
Conrad enjoying a drink with friends before heading to the church…
I love this next shot of Conrad getting his boutonniere pinned by his super sweet brother, Keith, as friend & groomsman, Ned, cracks up. I don’t know what they were laughing about, but I can’t help but giggle every time I look at this photo.
I love the sun flare in this next shot as the guys walk to the back of the church and out of sight as Hannah makes her way to the church.
Conrad’s dad, Novarro, greets guests as they arrive…
How beautiful does Hannah’s friend & bridesmaid, Lauren, look in this next photo? She & the other girls were waiting by the front door for Hannah to arrive at the church.
Sitting down at the start of the ceremony, Hannah & Conrad exchange a look that vividly demonstrates how they were both feeling. Love it!
I love this next photo of long-time family friends, Joe & Deb. Joe had just finished a beautiful & poignant reading that mentioned Hannah’s dad (the two were childhood friends) and looked to Deb and smiled remembering their dear friend. Oh the love, how easily it did flow…
Father Bob Powell of St. Joan of Arc in Orleans addresses Hannah & Conrad during their ceremony…
We did it! Notice the clapping…
Getting a big congratulatory hug from her dear friend & co-MOH, Steph.
LOOOVE this moment as Hannah’s mom, gets a big, emotional hug from Deb. I have no doubt that the absence of her husband, Hannah’s dad, was felt, but the overriding emotion was one of joy, love & pride! And, I have no doubt, Hannah’s dad was there, smiling down on the day’s happenings.
More cheering from Hannah outside the church.
Hannah & her girls, including co-MOH, Katherine (next to Hannah) share a giggle.
Yay for love…
Conrad’s brother, Keith & the guys had cigars to celebrate the happy occasion.
Mr. & Mrs….
Sharing a little smooch…
Is Conrad a happy guy or what?
Beautiful couple, fabulous light and a gorgeous backdrop = perfection!
Be still my heart! Loooooove this next one!
Swoon….
Hannah & Conrad’s table names were all places of significance to them. Las Ramblas is where they had their first date.
The first dance. I love the concentration on Conrad’s face and the sheer joy on Hannah’s!
Los hombres suaves…
Get down on it…
Hannah & Conrad….you two just looked soooo happy all day long. Being there with you, watching all of the day’s activities unfold was both a joy and a pleasure. Thank you for inviting us to be a part of such a special time in your lives. We hope these photos serve as happy reminders for many MANY years to come. We hope too that the excitement, though it may damper in its intensity as the years pass, grows into something even more special. With love & hugs, Chris & Andy xoxo