For weeks on end, I have been going over the words in my head when thinking of what to write for this post. Sentences would come in and out of my mind – flashbacks of the days down there. And now I sit here, at my computer… pictures are all ready to load in…. long pause. This has to be one of my absolute favorite weddings of all time. It wasn’t the destination, it wasn’t the fact we took pictures in a penthouse that will forever be out of my pay grade, it wasn’t even the fact I got to walk on sand that was so soft that it felt like you were walking on ice cream * thank you to Stephanie Sherwood who came up with that analogy , as it was the best possible way to describe it. What made it the best was the love. Not to sound like a sap, but it was just there. All around, from family members to friends. Every one involved in the details of the wedding felt it as well… When you can sit on a beach with the bride and groom , her sister and father and they pick french fries off your plate, there is something to be said about that. Friendship is too small of a word to try and sum up what I felt down there. And if all these words sound longwinded, trust me – they are not. This wedding meant the world to me and changed my perspective on alot of things. With that being said, I must do justice to how much this weddinghas made an impression on me. So I added some words along with the imagery.

______________________________________

Doing what I love most in this world, next to making people laugh, is taking pictures. I am lucky enough to have met so many great people in this field.  One of them is  Stephanie Sherwood, of Photography by Sherwood .We both have a yearning for all that is awesome, and when she asked if I would assist her on this wedding ( and after doing a Redd Foxx impression of almost having a heart attack)  I gathered my marbles and said yes . We flew down a few days ahead of time to scope everything out, meet Karen, Dennis and family and try to plan out how the day was gonna go. We were so excited, we couldn’t wait for the wedding day.

Then, after much anticipation, the day finally came. We headed to Grace Bay Club and while Steph went with the girls, I headed to where Dennis was getting ready with the guys.

After that, we headed up to the penthouse. For the First look and formal portraits…

Now, if you ever find yourself with $18k to spend nightly, this is definitely the place to stay. Luckily, we weren’t staying there, just doing some pictures and making use of every corner of it as it was a photographer’s dream to shoot in there.

One of the little known moments for me was when the mother of the bride looked over  for a few seconds. She had to  catch a breath from all the emotion. I smiled back and without saying a word, she too felt the solace in the fact that she wasn’t the only one witnessing this. It was the kind of  reassurance that got me  nifty hug and an ” I needed that ” afterwards.

Part of doing what I do, and what any photographer does, is to look around and see what is going on. When you look out at so many people and they are all crying, it’s gotta say something to you intrinsically. Couple that with the vows, and Karen reading a quote from Winnie the Pooh, where she said …

“If you live to be 100, I hope I live to be 100 minus 1 day, so I never have to live without you.”

What you get is:  a photographer who’s eyes are watering from behind the camera as much as Dennis’s was at the altar…

And of course it wouldn’t be complete without members of the bridal party and guests diving into the pool in full attire… one of those moments I was glad I didn’t put my camera away just yet…

Below is one of my favorite images… By no means is it the best, but to me its the realest. It’s the good stuff. It ‘s the moment that :

driving one of the bridesmaids to the venue on the back of a scooter with dress in tow,

sitting outside with the family watching a football game at a bar and buying my new friend’s a round,

 and sharing such great moments with people that aren’t clients, but a warm family that has invited you into their fold,

that creates memories I will never forget…

is all about.

________________

I would like to thank Stephanie for giving me this opportunity to share in this trip. I came back someone different, someone greater. I shared time, conversation and food with some of the greatest people I have ever met. I saw so many amazing things and experienced so much. For that, I am forever grateful.

I would also like to thank every person down there who made me feel welcome.

You have set the bar of Awesome.