Joy, Joy, Joy!
If I had to describe the vineyard wedding of Stan and Laura, it would be Joy. Joy in the midst of so much. Joy in spite of so much and yet, because of so much. Although I must admit, I didn’t get to know Stan as much as I would like to, in a way, I did. Because everything that day was about Stan. Things like, “where is Stan?” “Do you think Stan will like my dress?” “I can’t wait for Stan to see me!” “How is Stan?”. So many things did not go as planned at the wedding. From the flowers not being what was ordered, to the downpours causing the outdoor wedding spot to become a swamp, the decor missing, and a slew of other issues that kept creeping up, Laura kept joy. And in any moment she looked as if she would cry, I simply had to look at her and ask, “Why are we here?” “Because I get to marry Stan, my best friend.” At the end of the day, those details didn’t matter. Laura was happy, because she was with Stan. Stan was her joy.
An enchanting setting in spite of storms
It was easy to see why the couple chose the venue they did as the wedding backdrop. The beautiful vineyards were completely green, the antique touches throughout the bridal and groom suite building were a picturesque setting for their before portraits. Balconies overlooking the vineyard below made for gorgeous sunset shots, and we even stole away to shoot a few private images in the middle of a vineyard row. The pictures were the thing of story tales. It is easy to see what each sees in one another. Few perfect matches exist anymore, and these two are absolutely perfect for one another. Every time we thought that was the last spot to take pictures, we would walk back towards the group, only to find another.
A note regarding the venue
It is always my policy to look out for what is in the best interest of my brides and grooms. Knowing how many struggles the couple went through, what they dealt with on the wedding day, and getting the full picture of what all went wrong or not according to what was paid for and requested, I could not in good conscience list that venue by name. If additional information is desired about the location of this shoot, please email me. I’d be happy to share both the name, as well as the couples’ experience with the venue. It was a shame that so much went wrong. Your wedding day isn’t the day to have to be asking for things such as bouquet corrections, the location of the decor you brought up to the venue for display at the reception, why all of the food tasted the same, the DJ not having the correct music, and the lack of drainage at the wedding ceremony site. It was the first wedding in which I had to do a wardrobe change due to shooting in ankle deep mud. After considering all sides, the couple had every right to be upset.
Nevertheless, true love prevails
All of that said, in my opinion, the pictures are amazing in spite of the struggles. Both Stan and Laura, their families and their bridal party turned it on for the cameras, and did an amazing job of remembering the focus of the day: Love. Every time I look at these images, my heart jumps to my throat, and I choke up with joy at the absolutely warming feeling of love present in every shot. You guys are amazing, and I cannot thank you enough for trusting me to capture your big day! Please enjoy my faves from this timeless wedding that’s one for the books!
