Maggie and Kevin were married at Villa Parker—the coolest little Italian style villa out in Parker—(you could have guessed by the name). It was beautiful—it transformed me and I’m sure every guest to another place with it’s old world charm and and warmth. Albeit the rain, the day was absolutely perfect. The ceremony was moved indoors and because all the delicious flowers were brought into the room, the whole place smelled like a flower shop. Seriously. I couldn’t have imagined the day to be better. Maggie and Kevin are absolute darlings! I have loved working with them… They are transparent, genuine and very much make the perfect pair. I love their style and I love their “style”, if you know what I mean…
Ok… I was almost sick with envy over this dress. It maybe my favorite wedding dress ever. It made me kind of want to get married all over again, just so I could find and wear something this fabulous. Maggie has great style. Check out the bouquet, too…. ahhhhhh! So Stunning!
It’s been exactly 10 years since I was last in Italy. I was 22—naïve, fresh faced and brave enough to take off by myself to work in Italy for Legambiente which is the Italian equivalent to Green Peace. I was the only American working in the organization, with no Italian under my belt, and a knack for getting lost. I arrived in Rome, alone after a 22 hour travel stint and wandered my way around the city with a backpack and a travel guide. One of the best moments of my life was my first night in Rome. After a long and delirious nap and an ice cold coke, I took a cap to the Vatican City at sunset to catch the evening mass. I had never been out of the country before, mind you and I was completely overwhelmed with what I was experiencing. It was better than I could have ever imagined and I was immediately swept off my feet. Italy was my first love—my first experience with travel. I grabbed a hot dog and Heineken bomber and sat on a wall perched above St. Peters cathedral with a symphony playing in a park right behind me. An artisan fair lined the pedestrian streets surrounding the Vatican, adorned with antique books, charcoal drawings, handmade jewelry and leather…. Ahhh the smell of leather here is bar none.
So, here I am 10 years later searching for that romance I experienced 10 years ago. The travel bug is like an adrenaline junkie’s search for adventure… but for travelers, it’s a lust for that “feeling” of being alive in another country—seeing completely new architecture, different light, different people and cultures, new smells and trendy fashion, and being taken by it all. It’s incredible and only understood by those who have experienced it, and actually have the “lust”. It is an addition. Although I know I will never experience Italy again with virgin eyes as I did 10 years ago, today is my first day in Florence and I’m certainly taken. The smells that are getting me already–waffles and gelato, the smell of car exhaust that is somehow nostalgic, and fresh garlic. I can hear the church bells ring every hour from my hotel room just down the street from the Duomo and it’s cool enough in the evening for a sweater, but hot enough to really enjoy a cold Birre Rossa. I’m in heaven. And while I go to Paris every year to find my heart and “re-stock the pond”, this trip to Italy is feeling more about gratitude. I’m not yet exhausted from the busy summer season that I call my “harvest”, and I’m still feeling completely invigorated by every thing I see. I’m grateful and pinching myself… can this really be my life? How could I ever complain about anything when I seem to have it all… I’m blessed.
My trip 10 years ago was a life changing gift from God. I found my passion and independence and came home 2 months later believing in myself in a new way. I made all sorts of positive changes in my life and understood for the first time that one can’t wait for life to happen. One has to find it and live it fearlessly. I have a feeling that this trip is going to be just as monumental as my last visit…. It’s Italy, after all and there are all things romantic beckoning me to live these 9 days to my fullest and to bring home a brighter inner-light.
“You know you’re in love when you can’t fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams.” Dr. Seuss
Vanessa and Steve are the poster children for young love. When we sat down for our final “walk through”, Vanessa asked that I would shoot the wedding with young love in mind. I mulled this over and over again in my head. How does one portray young love in a photograph? Playful? Giddy? And then the idea of balloons popped into my head. They somehow were a great metaphor for young love—they are light, cheerful and they represent something to be celebrated. And young love should be celebrated. It is pure and true and perfectly vulnerable. One never experiences love the same after her first.
Vanessa and Steve—you guys truly warm my heart! It was such an honor to be a part of such a beautiful celebration… congratulations!
I’ve seriously been putting off this blog post for a couple of weeks, simply because I don’t want this wedding to end for me… I’ve been looking forward to Ali and Adam’s wedding since we first met about 18 months ago! They are one of my favorite couples ever (for so many reasons) and to be honest I’m a little bummed that the big day is over and it’s only June! Of course I have many more fantastic weddings to look forward to this season, but Ali and Adam have been especially dear to me and I’m going to miss looking forward to their wedding.
Last summer I photographed Ali and Adam’s engagement pictures and summed up the session with a quote by Mark Twain: “Grief can take care of itself, but to get the full value of joy you must have somebody to divide it with.” I have to reiterate this again in their wedding post because it truly sums up the love Ali and Adam have for one another. When I walked in on the 22nd to photograph Ali getting ready, she was rubbing her tummy, saying that she was really nervous… then she said, “I just want to see Adam”. When Ali did see Adam 15 minutes later, I saw every little bit of stress and anxiety melt from her face and the two of them were all smiles. Ali and Adam complete each other. They are best friends, soul mates, two peas in a pod, and completely made for one another. I love this about this about them and it makes me giddy to see such true love. To top it off, Ali and Adam have impeccable taste–the day was decked out in perfect hand made details, couture wedding garb and even a stuffed animal named Brownie. It was a photographer’s dream…
I’m so happy for you guys! I’m seriously hoping that I will continue to see the two of you often, and that your wedding will be just the beginning of a long lasting friendship. You’re the best! xoxo
Ali’s bouquet was made from buttons…. and it was absolutely fantastic!
Elizabeth and Collin shocked me a couple of weeks ago with the news that they will be moving to Seattle… Life seems to throw crazy at you in clusters, doesn’t it? Planning a wedding, moving to Seattle, new jobs… etc, etc. But if anybody can roll with crazy, it’s Elizabeth and Collin! They are super chill and fun-loving. They embrace life no matter where it happens… and this is what I love most about them! They are a truly vivacious couple! We decided to do the engagement shoot at Commons park in Denver to really get that Denver feel, with the skyline and the people and the amazing golden light that seems to ascend on the buildings and grasses in the evening. And we had so much fun walking around for an hour or so! While I’m sure a short engagement shoot won’t sum up their time in Denver, I certainly hope that this shoot and these images will be a fun memory that they can take with them to Seattle….
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