every wedding day has a story. this one reads more like a fairy tale. weddings should never be about me- i am happy to be present, witness and document amazing celebrations, and i’m happy making other people happy. i have to tell ya though, this charmed little tale made me feel a little bit like a rockstar. i blushed a bit, but to be honest, it did feel pretty amazing.
i met rachel and jeff for the first time two weeks ago. i had a DC wedding that had been canceled, but i decided to come out and spend the month here anyway. not long after making my decision, i get an email from jeff asking me if i’d be available to shoot their wedding that was then three weeks away. the photographer they’d hired turned out to be sketchy mcsketcherson, and jeff’s spidey senses were tingling… and long story very short, i think with very good reason. the fact they picked up on this and did something about it – and i’m not just saying this because they chose to hire me in particular- is amazing.
too often as photographers we hear from couples who were unhappy with their photographer, the service, the photos or flat out didn’t get their pictures at all (who these photographers are that do this I have no idea but sadly it seems like there are a ton). no matter how often we try and educate people on choosing the right photographer hoping to spread a little knowledge around, we always hear the stories and meet these couples too late and there’s nothing we can do to help. but not this time. to add to the little miracle, their wedding date happened to be on the date i had the cancelation. while there was a little bit of drama, there really was no crisis nor any major horror story, but i think we all felt one had been averted and a happy ending was being written before the day even began. we were even able to sneak in a day to do a last minute engagement session which garnered a little yelp out of Rachel that i heard over the phone after I said we could make it happen. they were excited, i was excited.. a day after our conversation jeff overnighted the contract with with a hastily scrawled note in giant letters, “I CAN’T BELIEVE HOW THIS WORKED OUT!” me either.
and now to the real story.. rachel and jeff. two of the cutest people ever! they are SO IN LOVE it makes me downright giddy. they are amazing together. they work together, play together and laugh like crazy together. i am so privildeged and honored to have been part of such a sincere and joyous celebration.
and the glenview mansion.. UH-mazing location! the place has it all! super cool modern artwork indoors with TONS of natural light, a great little outdoor ceremony site, acres and acres of trees, grass and arches.. oh my!
a little pre-ceremony courage
and as if all this wasn’t enough.. it was raining cats and dogs all morning and was a brisk 45 degrees.. not a good day for an outdoor wedding (and btw rachel apologized for not giving ME and outdoor wedding- who does that other than the sweetest person ever?). fifteen minutes before game time, one of the groomsmen bolted upstairs and told us to look outside- the sun had parted the sky and every available hand moved chairs and flowers to set the stage in the great outdoors under a big beautiful blue sky.
jeff is jockying for a position as my assistant. he made asuggestion for a group shot behind the mansion which was just made for a bridal party.. good call!
helloooo cherry trees!! after two weeks of fighting with crowds at the tidal basin, i really didn’t think it was possible to see such gorgeous trees outside of a zoo-like setting. we had them all to ourselves!! some hadn’t even bloomed yet.
ooh, in hindsight, i should have seen this one coming. i don’t know why i didn’t expect it from sweet little rachel, but she even looked at me at one point like “are you ready?”, and i thought.. um, sure?.. and then the cake went right up jeff’s nose and i thought. OOH, for THAT! but yup, i got it and i rach i bet you have one mean right hook.
this photo CRACKS ME UP. as a big surprise for the couple, the bridal party arranged for a car. jeff’s dad jumped in just as they were enjoying their first moment alone together. *love* the look on jeff’s face.
whoohoo!! what a day! it was one for the record books. so much fun and so much emotion.. i loved every single minute of it. thanks again to both of you and everyone present for allowing me to feel the rockstar love for a day too. hopefully it won’t go too much to my head. i can’t WAIT to hear about Greece and Spain!!
by kim seidl
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