As a wedding photographer, I’ve seen millions of fleeting moments happen at weddings from behind my camera. Some are significant; some are not. One of my favorite moments from Kelly & Joe‘s wedding day was seeing Joe’s face as Kelly walked down the aisle! His eyes pooled with tears and right before her dad handed her off to him, he had to wipe a tear away that fell down his cheek. It was such a sweet reaction before he took his bride-to-be’s hand, and was one of those defining moments that when Kelly & Joe look back at that photograph over the years, they will be transported right back to those feelings of emotion, nerves and excitement that they were both experiencing just minutes before they promised themselves to each other forever.
History also played an important role on their wedding day and Kelly wove it in with a few family heirlooms. Kelly wore the same veil that her mother wore on her wedding day. It was designed via letters sent back and forth between her mom and the nuns in Ireland who hand stitched it. Hidden in the stitches are three leaf clovers for good luck. It was such a special moment seeing Kelly’s mom placing her veil in her daughter’s hair on her wedding day. Kelly’s mom had her wedding album out while Kelly was getting ready and it was cool to see the photographs of her wearing that same veil on her wedding day. Kelly also wore a delicate chain of three strung pearls around her neck which were a gift from her aunt when she was a flower girl in her wedding as a child. She even had the cutest, gold framed picture of her, her sister and her aunt on her wedding day with all of her details she wanted me to photograph when I arrived.
Kelly & Joe are such kind and caring individuals (Kelly is even donating her wedding dress to The Bride’s Project in Ann Arbor) and how much they pour into others was obvious based on how those at their wedding were towards them. You could tell how much their bridal party loved them and they were an absolute treat to work with. They were all so kind and respectful and it made my job a million times easier, which is always appreciated! Her bridesmaids welcomed me in from the moment I arrived, and her sister, Molly, was so helpful. Kelly even made sure I had lunch, which was so very kind.
Kelly & Joe, thank you for trusting me to capture such a joyous day in your lives. I have truly enjoyed getting to know you over the past year and I’m so honored that I had the chance to document day one of your marriage. I hope you love and cherish these photographs forever! Much love, Jen. xx
