So Gina and Kevin have a very special significance to both me and my business. Way back when I was first starting out, these two awesome strangers offered themselves as guinea pigs for my very FIRST engagement session. They had already had engagement photos done with the pro photographer they had booked for their wedding, but they thought it couldn’t hurt to have a few more. Well, they ended up liking my photos/style so much, they actually cancelled their wedding photographer and asked me to shoot their wedding. Back then, I was shooting with a D60, had no lighting equipment and knew I wasn’t equipped. I finally talked to my husband and we decided to make the proper investment in my business and Gina and Kevin were the very first couple I ever booked for a wedding.

A year later, things had really taken off for me. I ended up doing so many weddings before theirs, but I never forgot that when they booked me, they thought they’d be my first and they believed in me anyway. To this day, I am touched. It was their faith in me that truly gave me the confidence to pursue my dream, which is now an unbelievably amazing reality.

So without further adieu, let the wedding photos begin! My husband, Sean, second shot this wedding for me, and he took these awesome pictures as the guys were getting ready. It started with a letter that Gina had written to Kevin and had delivered by their daughter the day of the wedding.

I was over with the girls getting ready, taking some details shots myself and photographing the events of the day as they started to unfold.

Since Gina had done a bridal session with me prior to the wedding as well, I had the luxury of being able to take just one quick bridal portrait, which made time for some other fun shots in front of the limo.

If you ever wondered what quadruple fisting looks like, haha …

We then hopped in for a VERY short ride to the church. It was literally only 3 blocks, but I did manage time to grab this photo of Gina’s daughter as she just passed through my frame taking shots of the girls.

At long last, it was time to get these two hitched! The church and the ceremony were so beautiful and full of emotion. My favorite part was the last shot from this set, which was taken just after Kevin accidentally said, “I, Gina, take you…” Even I couldn’t help cracking out a laugh, then covered my mouth as I realized it was a pretty loud one!

We rushed in the family formals after, then headed over to the courthouse to do some fun bridal party shots, and some couple shots. I have to say, Kevin really knows how to dip a girl right!

Afterwards, we got back in the limo to head over to the iron furnaces. I tried to keep the couple in the shade, but the BLAZING heat definitely got to us.

Before we knew it, it was time for the reception, which started with Gina and Kevin’s first dance.

I then tried to sneak in a detail shot or two before the cake cutting.

During the mother/son dance that ensued, we had another hilarious wedding moment when suddenly the groom’s mom took a spill on the dance floor. I really have to hand it to her though, looking at the photos as it was happening, she was smiling and laughing the whole way down!

As the party began to heat up, the DJ announced that a previously “banned” song had been “unbanned” and proceeded to play YMCA, to which the groom and his boys went completely nuts! It was quality entertainment the whole way.

After that, the party just didn’t stop!

To Gina and Kevin, your wedding could not have been more perfect or more amazing. I feel so honored you entrusted me with your precious memories from this day and my goal was to give you better photos than you could have ever imagined the day you chose me as your photographer. I never dreamed from that first shoot at Nay Aug that our relationship would grow to what it is today. Before I left the night of your wedding, Gina said to me, “I owe you my life,” but I truly think it’s the other way around. From the bottom of my heart; Congratulations again you two.