Leading up to weddings we very rarely look at the weather. Why? Because we are already prepared. We have umbrellas and raincoats, changes of shoes, etc. in our car at all times. So for us, its just about making sure we are ready for whatever comes our way because sometimes you get hit with a rainy day. Or in the case of Francesca + Peter.....A MONSOON! Poor thing. I know you were a nervous wreck when we showed up. Our girls at Taffeta were there killing it as usual. Everyone was reassuring you ...it's going to be fine.
During this time of excitement and maybe a little bit of bride panic I shot my favorite image of the year. After I put the rings on the window to take a picture of them in front of the raindrops I walked away for a second to get my macro lens ...came back and one of the flower girls was trying on the engagement ring in front of the window. OMG. I got goosebumps for days and started snapping like a mad woman. I knew I wanted the reflection or it would be an "eh" photo so I scrolled up my f-stop and prayed. Turns out, it is my FAVORITE. Maybe ever. You can check it out on FEARLESS as they thought it was pretty cool as well. We live for moments like this. They feel like a split frozen in time that will live on forever. These cousins had me cracking up. They were so in their own world the whole day and absolutely comical together.
Francesca eventually gave it up to Gawd and decided to roll with it ....we waited ....and THEN..the sky OPENED UP! We knew then and there that someone was watching over his daughter that day. She had dreamed of pictures on the beach and that's exactly what she got. Thanks Dad. Our bride was fearless. Francesca floated across the sand with ease and grace. She didn't worry about getting dirty or the wind that was blowing her hair around. She went with it and we loved her for it. I love saying her name....let's say it again.....Fran-CES-ca! Just rolls off the tongue. There is SO much love between these two so they were all smiles while we walked along the ocean line. This wasn't a surprise to us since their NYC Engagement Shoot was incredible...ALSO the first time we had them scheduled they postponed because of...RAIN...and so when we rescheduled we decided to go on with it despite the rain! Too funny. It all worked out though. It was absolutely perfect.
As we were wrapping up the pictures on the beach it started to drizzle a little....so we headed over to the Seaglass Ballroom at the Icona Golden Inn at Avalon where the ceremony was now taking place. So much of the ceremony was about family and the love surrounding them. Mom and Bro lined up to walk Francesca down the isle. It was really emotional. The best man was Peter's grandfather, Malcolm, and he did NOT disappoint with hilarious speech about losing some weight after birth which I won't go into....but wow, that was funny. So much love was circulating around this couple. The ballroom was filled with laughter. NO ONE talked through the speeches, it was just tears, laughter, respect and applause. Thank you for letting us peer into the window of your lives for a few hours. We had THE BEST time with you!