Sometimes it about the relationships created along the way. This story is about one of those wonderful unexpected relationships. This story is not about a bride who hired me. It is about a bride who didn't hire me, yet became a friend in the process.
When Melissa "friended" me on Facebook back in February, she did so because she heard about me from a mutual friend. She was getting married in August and wanted to meet with me to talk about her wedding. We met and talked -- she viewed my work -- and we talked some more. She was sweet and genuine and I enjoyed getting to know her and hearing her story.
As it turns out, she hired another photographer for her wedding. It happens. I didn't take it personally and wished her well. Over the months, as my Facebook friend, I had gotten to know her better through her status updates and often laughed at some of her quirkier posts, as well as "awwwwwed" over her very sweet posts about her love for Dale and her children. She had gotten to know me as well. She commented often on my updates, which I really appreciated. it was nice to know that even though she wasn't a client, she was becoming a friend.
I did attend Melissa and Dale's wedding, but not as their photographer -- I attended as their guest! I was thrilled to be there and really wanted to capture, in photographs, the Melissa I got to know over the months. My challenge, of course, was to be the guest. I brought one camera - one lens - one memory card. Okay, so my long lens probably gave me away since Tony Wencil of First Glance Photography (http://firstglancephoto.weebly.com/) - the photographer Melissa hired approached me and said, "I see you brought your heavy artillery with you!" I introduced myself we got to chatting. He's a really nice guy and told me that I could have free reign. I knew that if I took him up on that generous offer, that I would turn into photographer-maria, so I stuck with my back-seat-plan. I convinced myself that if I stayed in my back-row seat, that I would remember my role as a guest. I did pretty good. I got up just once for a quick couple shots, but (as she rationalizes) I stayed in the back behind all the guests.
The wedding? It was as beautiful and emotional as I knew it would be. Melissa and Dale were a gorgeous bride and groom. I was so pleased to be a guest and to see first hand how the story of the rest of their lives truly begins.
Some photos of their wedding...
Dale gets pinned...
The pastor as he reviews his notes before the wedding...
Payton has a whoopsie! moment....
This was such a touching moment. Melissa was a vision of joy as she waves to Dale. Her dad struggles to keep it together. He did and although he didn't want to let her hand go at the end of the aisle, the smile on his face couldn't have been bigger!
I love this photo -- and the look of love on Dale's face as he watches Melissa walk up the aisle...
Melissa's maid of honor looks on...I love the bright and cheerful colors she chose for the bouquets, dresses and decorations...
Melissa's son reads a touching tribute...
This look on Melissa's face really gets to me -- love is written all over it!
The kiss...
Happily Mr. and Mrs.!
Payton was the perfect flower girl and this little dress was gorgeous!
A kiss from her dad for the first time as a Mrs.
Seriously...can it get any more gorgeous than this?
A beautiful ring and gift of bracelets from Dale...
Her beautiful bouquet...
I hung around for a few minutes during the portrait session and couldn't resist taking this photo of Payton standing between Melissa and Dale...
And finally, before I left, I took a quick shot of Tony Wencil doing his thing. I cannot say enough how much of a great guy he was!
