I had countless people telling me I was nuts to photograph my daughter’s wedding. “Don’t you want to be in the pictures?” Uh no. I had many good reasons for doing the photos myself, but the main reason is that I have photographed almost every single aspect of my daughter’s life, from birth, through sports, portraits . . . one of the most photographed kids I know – how in the world could I sit and watch someone else record this milestone?!
So – wedding – yeah – normally one has about a year to put together an event such as this. NOPE – we had about two months. It was like a village getting together. It was amazing. Jason (the groom) had the invitations ordered so fast it would make your head spin, and had already contacted his friend at the hotel to help him put it together. He and Caitlin (the bride – my daughter) did the planning with the hotel. The ladies all went crazy sharing ideas on Pinterest. I asked my favorite creative mother/daughter team – Diane Snyder and Angela Snyder Marshall) to create the details – flowers, decorations down the aisle, centerpieces and candy bar. I am forever in their debt – they did an AMAZING job. They found someone local to create a beautiful and frankly REALLY YUMMY cake. My family came together to provide mimosas for the bridal party and alcoholic beverages for the mother of the bride after the rehearsal – and helped me clean up after the reception (I still have leftover candy)! I know other stuff happened and other people contributed, but now it’s just a blur! I think I mostly did photographs and contributed a few dollars – and stayed uncharacteristically calm the entire time.
The day honestly went off without a hitch, it was a gorgeous day in San Diego (hot for the mom of course 78 is hot to me) at the Marriott Liberty Station. Ceremony on the water – beautiful set up – the hotel even installed – not just hung – but literally hard-wired installed market lights for the reception! Then we enjoyed the after party around the fire pit with snack food and special individually wrapped s’mores packages created by my friend Diane (candy table lady)!
It all almost made me wonder why people really bother taking a year to plan it!
Enjoy the highlights (you may have to click on HD on the bottom)! It’s a long video, but it’s my Valentine’s Day gift to my baby and her husband.