Alternate titles for this post include:
- The Blog Post You've All Been Waiting For
- "I swear I'm a better photographer than I am an actress."
- I'm on a boat.
- Surprise! It's a wedding: Madison Square Garden // VIP Suites
- On Repeat: Zac Brown Band
- We should be friends: the story of a bride and her photographer.
- Reasons I love my job #7 - #346
In case the above list didn't say enough about how much I loved this wedding, allow me to say it again. I loved this wedding...
I met Jacquie and Kyle shortly after they were first engaged a few years ago and we hit it off then. In August, Jacquie e-mailed me to set up a meeting about their wedding with specific instructions not to tell anyone about it, on the off chance that I should run into one of the 238764 people we just so happen to know in common (between that e-mail and our meeting, I, of course, ran into nearly all of them). Hearing about Jacquie and Kyle's wedding plans to me, was the equivalent of Christmas morning to a small, very excitable child, and since I was among the very limited number of people who knew about it, I couldn't exactly go running through the streets shouting about it or telling random people I meet like I usually do when I'm excited about something.
On Friday night, I drove out to Cosimo's and hid out in the wine cellar until Jacquie, Kyle & their families got there for a family dinner. I awkwardly lurked in the corner trying to remain inconspicuous. "I'm here to do marketing photos for Cosimo's," I lied (I'm a terrible liar). I asked Kyle's mom what the dinner was for and she winked at me. I think she knew something was up. The families gathered for a "group photo for your trouble!" and I clicked away, ready to capture some reactions. Somewhere in the middle of the flashes, Jacquie shouted, "So are you guys all ready for my wedding tomorrow?!" Jacquie's mom looked genuinely surprised. The others sat frozen, camera ready. Smiles, faltering for no news - for no surprise wedding! I was impressed. They eventually broke. "I'm not really here for marketing materials, guys!" I said as I snapped away at the laughs and hugs and tears. Jacquie's nephew, Landon, was unphased by the news. He continued to eat his carrots.
Saturday rolled around and as I prepared to leave my house, I couldn't help but feel a little off. I soon realized it was simply because, before that day, I had never worn jeans to photograph a wedding (blasphemy!) (don't worry they told me to). I arrived at Cromwell Manor in Cornwall to find Jacquie, her bridesmaids, her dog, Tilly (!!!), TWO gorgeous dresses, VERY sparkly shoes, and beautiful, beautiful jewelry and accessories (if you sing that to the 12 days of Christmas, you'll be able to grasp the extent of my excitement). We took pictures, Kyle stopped by and saw his soon-to-be-wife and then the ladies and I piled into the limo...
The Lexington was docked at Chelsea Piers and everyone was on board waiting to surprise Jacquie with a party! The surprise was on [some of] them, though, because - I don't know if you got this part yet, but - it wasn't really a surprise party for Jacquie! It was a wedding! Their ceremony was sweet and emotional - Jacquie and Kyle were so happy, as was everyone around us - and after they were pronounced husband and wife, it was all hugs and tears and champagne. It was the happiest boat I've ever been on.
And then Kyle made an announcement that shocked even the "I totally knew it was a wedding" guys! After the cruise, we were all going to Madison Square Garden! To the Zac Brown Band Concert! In VIP Suites!!
The only part of this wedding that wasn't surprising was how awesome it was. Everyone had a blast - myself included.
Many thanks to Jacquie & Kyle,
the Gaspards and the Hendersons,
the ladies and gentleman of the bridal party,
the folks aboard the Lexington,
the Zac Brown Band,
Matt Versweyveld for second shooting,
and everyone else who attended and contributed to one of the coolest weddings I've ever photographed.
Thank you, thank you, thank you!
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