to be the bride...

To be honest,  I tend to appreciate and connect with the groom and what he goes through on the on the wedding day.    Like many men, I've been there.  I can also empathize with the father of the bride. I think about my two  daughters and their future during every father/daughter dance I shoot.  

However, as a storyteller, I try to final the common human themes that connect me  with all the other characters on the wedding day. This can be a little challenging, in some cases.   The most challenging one of all is the bride.   Its hard to put myself in her shoes.    Its not just a guy thing, though.   I don't think that anybody can truly understand what she is going through on that day.

Even other women,  who have made the trip down the aisle themselves,  can't possibly know for certain what this specific bride is experiencing on this specific day.   Her experience is uniquely her own.

Even the bride does not know for certain how she will be her wedding day.  For this reason, the bride is an exciting character for those of us that tell wedding stories.     She is the true heroine of our story and one that is often out on her own and often misunderstood.  

Kate thought about her wedding day long before it arrived.  By her own admission, she has been planning this her whole life.  She even became a Bee on Wedding Bee and has been helping other brides plan for their day. But dispite all the planning in the world, there were still surprises,  some not so good and others, simply amazing.

Kate really amazed and intrigued me.  She experienced such a wide range of emotions on her day. From fear to total excitement to deep and committed love for her husband, family and friends.   In the end, it was a great day.  One that, I bet she will cherish for the rest of her life. 

Kate and Brian were ideal clients for many reasons.   But, the main one was the simple fact that they knew that there were stories to be told on this day and that these stories would be the ones worth telling and the ones that may never see the chance to be told again.    They were right.

Ceremony:  Sacred Heart Cathedral, Richmond, VA

Reception:  The Jefferson Hotel

Wedding Planner:  Windy Jennings

Photographer:  Jessica Oriole