1. This, clearly, is my absolute favorite! The peak moment in the fleeting life of a sunset, the sensationally vivid colors, the "just right" wind gust, the strong body language - the Universe was in perfect alignment for one amazing second.2. How blue the sky! But what really gets me is the brilliant sunlight streaming through the soft flow of my veil. The angle is striking yet the image is so gentle. 3. Serenity and grace - that's the feeling this picture instinctively insights. The setting is fantastic and the light, rosy and warm, but the focus is so simply defined from a rear-view that's not typically appreciated, but that holds so much beauty.4. This long shot was taken from hundreds of feet down the street. I love our physical structure and the swish of my skirt with the heels peeking out, but what I love more is the approach - our moment appears completely private even in the middle of a quaint downtown among the shoppers and well-wishers. It is ours alone.5. The glow is breathtaking. It didn't come from a perfect tan or the right shade of bronzer. It emanates solely from light and love. This is the quintessential photographic proof that internal luminosity physically exists. Yes, the sun was just the right intensity and in just the right position, but with so much love surrounding you, how can you not simply glow? Every single person in this picture is on fire with radiance.6. Raw emotion. Pure, unchecked, raw feeling. Everything you need to know to feel, to remember, to understand is right there. Without even hearing a single word of it, you can assume every ounce of emotion swelling inside me and precisely comprehend everything said in my dad's toast. 7. These are two of my best friends since high school, Kelley and Emily. I'm certain this gem was gleamed from the "priceless expression" and "holding hands" suggestions on the I Spy card. Everything about them is giddy, joyful, and young - their stance, their faces, the laughter. Seeing people have a wicked awesome time at our wedding brings an instant smile to my face! People are so beautiful when they're happy.8. The groom is always the one to watch when the bride is coming down the aisle. His smile, his tears, and his overall look is so heartfelt and telling. Never will you see so much amazement, gratitude, and love than in this moment. His expressions are contagious to the entire congregation in attendance. 9. Candid excellence at its finest! Just look at that airborne chunk of cake catapulting from his open mouth and the sugary icing smears streaking across chins and lips! What impeccable timing! You can almost hear Ted saying, "HA!" while I attempt to simultaneously chew and keep the cake dribblets contained to my hands. 10. The symbolism and all the major life milestones taking place in this one tiny moment gives me the chills! My dad offering his blessing on our lives together as he lovingly gives me to away to Ted and returns to my mother, my husband-to-be gently, with such awe and honor, taking my hand to symbolize the beginning of the rest of our lives together, our eyes locked in a gaze of unconditional love and commitment. So perfectly captured! 11. Barnie, ever the dutiful best man in all his manly glory. Like a true gentleman and award-worthy best man, he carried my cape, he carried my bouquet, he steadied my balance as I climbed through mountainous piles of leaves in a billowy dress, and he flung my veil into the wind on the count of 3 multiple times while holding the photographer's flash umbrella at uncomfortable angle for even more uncomfortable length of time and balanced bravely atop jagged seaside boulders. He was caught holding my flowers and realized it mid-snap - prompting the "huh...what!?" look. What a guy! 12. The contrast of the shadowy outskirts, the small gap of focused luminance in the center, and cool purple-toned etheral glow from the stained glass windows makes this hug not only meaningful but also phenomenally beautiful. 13. I am so drawn to this picture; it has been one of my very favorites from the moment I first laid eyes on it. Perhaps it's the visibly crisp detail of every grain in the stalk, maybe it's because the olive green of the walls compliments the golden wheat so nicely, or it could be because the bottom stems seem so rigid and strong but the top looks feathery and ticklish. Who knows, but this one detail shot is truly a knockout! 14. What is it with bride's and shoe shots? I've never been a lover of this popular photo-op until I saw this picture. Most shoe-shots are taken at a standstill, but this one is an action shot. It has momentum and movement. It's life in progress. I like the angle, the folding and draping of the fabric, and the autumn oranges, greens and creams in the color scheme. 15. These looks are the epitome of sheer, playful, here-in-this moment bliss. And it is as refreshing as it is addictive. This picture feels alive, like it is happening right now and you can join in. 16. This moment is so tender and so vulnerable, so easy to create yet it runs so deep. There's pride, there's acceptance and there's hope between mother and son. 17. The leaves are falling, the sun is gleaming, the wind is blowing, and the open road of the world is ours for the taking. It is invigorating. 18. Wide toothy grins are universal and trans-generational. To see so much happiness all at once, in one place, is inspiring. 19. Everything is calm and the world is lovely. There is nothing more peaceful than sitting on a park bench beneath the shade of centuries-old trees with someone you love, basking in the sun's warmth as the light dances on the continuously lapping water, knowing you, together, are a part of this moment in time. 20. The color is off, the lighting is lousy and the picture is blurry. The quality is mediocre, to be generous, but dressing is such a personal moment. It is so vain, so humbling, and so human. I am thrilled to have a picture of this man, his handsome James Bond mug reflecting back at himself in the mirror, dressing for the day he becomes a husband. It's edgy, familiar and exciting all at once. 21. This is the longest married couple at our wedding. They are very dear friends of Ted's and they are beautiful. To see them still dancing through life together, their eyes still shining and their faces still smiling after all these years makes me somehow nostalgic for a future I pray we'll have too. Their liveliness and love is palpable. I hope we'll be the longest happily married adorable couple at some youngin's wedding one day. They, too, are glowing.22. This says it all. He is my hero and every day I look up to him for being the wonderful person he is.
Honorable Mention:
Never was there a better brother-sister team. This picture speaks all the words there are.A moment only a girl's true friends understand. The attention to detail shows such a complicated yet loving relationship in that of friendship. This picture is so beautiful, so humanizing, and it simply intrigues me.
