I have always been drawn to soap operas because I love being a spectator to the human experience.  I mean, who doesn't enjoy going to the mall to people watch, I know I'm not alone.  It's just so entertaining to watch others live their lives and just be a fly on the wall to the joys, the laughter, and even the tears (but only good ones in reference to this post).  I think this is why I love photographing weddings.  It's like people-watching on someone's greatest day in their life.  

While every wedding moves me, this wedding touched me more deeply than I expected it to.  The wedded couple's love story was so incredibly romantic and their wedding was a true testament to that. Their nuptials spanned two days, two weekends, and two cities.  Why did this happen? How did this happen?  Well, the couple is originally from Pittsburgh, and that's where all their family are from.  But Pittsburgh is not the place where they started their relationship nor it is the place they solidified their love after it was challenged.  No, that honor belongs to the one and only Brigantine, NJ.  It is here that their love has a home and that is why their ceremony occurred on the Jersey Shore while the festivities continued two weeks later in Pittsburgh, PA.

Every wedding, I have a favorite moment that makes me tear up, laugh hysterically, or just be thankful for the honor of being allowed to witness this great union.  By far, this moment belonged to the groom when he first laid eyes on the bride.  To see this bear of a man, so tough with his tattoos and his piercing eyes, with his beers in hand and the NFL network playing in the background while he got ready, he was the picture of a man's man. But in one moment, with one look, his big burly facade was felled when his devastatingly beautiful bride walked the sandy path leading straight to him.  It really gave me pause and made me appreciate, once again, the power of true love and how it can make us forget all pretenses, forget the world around us, and only see that person whom we are promising our forever to.

Sigh....I want to hug my husband now!

All that romance aside, can I tell you that I almost begged the bride to let me come to her reception in Pittsburgh?  I had such a blast with this outrageously awesome bridal party!  I did NOT want to leave at the end of the night!  I had so much fun with the guys, I couldn't stop looking at the girls and their amazing body art.  And the families were some of the kindest most friendly people I have ever met.

And then there was the scene stealer.  The little lady who stole my heart.  This will be obvious from the pictures.  I had to keep reminding myself of why I was there and not spend my entire time entranced by her drool-stained, goldfish scented self.  I guess this is what happens when two amazing people come together.  You get one REALLY amazing little person.

And for the record, while "that shot" was not my idea, I love that they let me capture it!  What is "that shot"?

Heheheheh...you'll see! 

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