Every parent will tell you she DOESN'T have a favorite child.  The same goes for wedding photographers, we don't have a favorite wedding, either.  Each wedding is our favorite as is each child, just each in his own way.  Every wedding I have ever had the privilege of documenting has been my favorite in some shape or fashion.  

With that in mind, let me tell you why this was my favorite wedding.  

From the moment I met this bride this past summer to, what I believe, is the most beautiful engagement portraits I have yet to take, to this utopic wedding day, I literally have not stopped smiling whenever I have any memory from the romantic journey this bride and groom took me on.  

I could tell you so many of the reasons why this wedding brought me joy.  Maybe it was the fact that it was a USCG wedding.  The comely groom just about epitomizes what every girl dreams of when she talks about "a man in uniform".  Think I'm kidding?  Just look at the pictures of him below and just TRY not to envision yourself as Debra Winger being picked up in his strong arms to be carried off to happily ever after (I know, I know, Richard Gere was in the Navy but work with me here...).

Or maybe it was the wonderful people I got to meet this day.  The loving grandfather who delivered the most heartfelt sermon at both his daughter, and now his granddaughter's wedding, and the little baby who came THISCLOSE to crawling on her hands and knees in honor of the day (I even have a video to prove it), plus the bridesmaids and groomsmen who just made the day that much more fun and enjoyable with their affable personalities and dance moves.  Or maybe it was just DJ Jack Fahey's irrascible personality that made the day just so great or the incredible experience Sea Oaks Country Club offers its guests...I cannot tell for sure. I cannot tell you what about this day made it so magical, because there was just so much that brought me joy!

Oh wait, I can pinpoint one thing that made this wedding my favorite.  I'll give you a clue.  It rhymes with absolutely-beautiful-devastatingly-gorgeous-I-cannot-believe-how-lucky-I-am-to-be-her-wedding-photographer bride.  Oh please, you try to rhyme something with that.

Yes, this bride just made it for me.  When you see the pictures, you'll see why.  She is just exquisite.  But what I loved most about these pictures is her modesty, her complete blissful ignorance of her beauty.  Heck, some of my most favorite pictures, she was not even posing, I think a few times, she forgot I was taking pictures of her.  She is just that beautiful, naturally.  

I know, must be nice, right?

But what you may not see is her gentle spirit, her kindness towards others, her massive love for every member of her family, from her adoring grandparents all the way down to the furry beast she calls her own.  Every person (and beast) who is lucky enough to be loved by her felt her love on this day, and most especially, that man in uniform.  Her own personal hero.  The man who has been in her life for SEVENTEEN years who only a few years ago found the courage to profess his love for her.  

And you know what...I am so glad he did.  <3

Thank you again to my gestating partner in crime, Laura Napoli. She is just a gem of a girl!

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