Since I met Christine through one of my affiliates, I was both excited and nervous to help create a wedding story for a family that was entirely new to me. Christine and I had a few initial meetings to discuss her hopes for the photos, and during these meetings I was able to see how deeply in love this woman is. As Christine adoringly described, not only her children, but Dustin’s children as well, I was already framing in my mind a couple with two of the biggest hearts I had ever known. This was going to be a pleasure to photograph!

The day of the wedding arrived, and although it was actually freezing outside, the ice on the trees and in the grass sparkled, giving each moment that I was to capture a magical quality. When I arrived at the venue that day, I was very worried that the wedding party, and the kids would be reluctant to brave the cold so that we could get the shots that Christine had envisioned for her wedding album. Not even close! That family was so full of vitality, good humor, and joy that they didn’t hesitate to brave the cold for the bride and groom. Dustin’s groomsmen were hilarious, and kept everyone laughing and having a blast, and Christine’s bridesmaids could not have been any prettier or kinder. The entire group was so welcoming that, by the end of the day, I felt like just another friend of theirs.

Once it was time for the ceremony to begin, even this fun and lively group was rendered speechless by the stunning bride. As Christine made her way down the aisle, the love shone so brightly from her face, that no one could doubt these two were destined for one another. The vows took place on a stage with little white twinkle lights hanging down around them. The couple were each bringing children of their own into the marriage, so that they might form a new family. They chose to incorporate their children into the service with a sand ceremony. Nothing could have been more perfect for a blended family, because when all of the colors of sand mix together and become one, they can never be separated. The meaning behind this was so touching to me, that it brought tears to my eyes. This was the first time I ever cried at a wedding for anyone who was not my relative.

After the vows came the bridal portraits, and I couldn’t have asked for a better subject. Christine was radiant and dazzling in each picture. She definitely did not need any encouragement to show off her beautiful smile, since her new husband, Dustin, spent the entire time doing his utmost to keep her warm.

Speaking of warm, after the bridal portraits came the toasts. This was one of the most endearing parts of the entire day, and each toast had an underlying theme of just how right for each other Christine and Dustin truly are.

As with most weddings, the celebration culminated in dancing, and the couple’s first dance to Ed Sheeran was so incredibly tender that I had another first as well- I cried again. Christine’s Dad was ailing and not able to be there, so in a show of amazing family love, Dustin’s Dad made sure to dance with the bride. Meanwhile, Dustin danced with his daughter, and the other grandparents started pulling the other children in to dance. Throughout the wedding there were frequent demonstrations of just how much love it takes to bring two families together and make them one. I frequently have the honor of seeing a bride and groom completely in love, but I left that evening knowing that this was a whole new family of people that genuinely loved each other. Even better, I was no longer a stranger, and got to count myself as one of their friends.

Christine & Dustin

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