Rachelle and James
It’s funny how clients find you (and visa versa). Had the pandemic not happened, it’s doubtful we would have crossed paths, but as fate would have it, we found one another due to the COVID vaccine. My job is photography, but last spring I found myself with a new, temporary role as the founder of the Vaccine Helpers, a group of volunteers who came together to help senior citizens obtain vaccine appointments. Once word got out about our group, I was put in touch with Rachelle who works for a healthcare company that was offering vaccine appointments. I had the people and she had the appointments, so we were a perfect match!
Speaking of perfect matches, Rachelle and James had planned their wedding for 2020, but as with many weddings, things didn’t happen as planned and they opted for an intimate ceremony, high up the mountains with two witnesses and one officiant. I saw the pictures and they were epic! So, as time goes on, they decide to plan a second wedding, but this time with family, friends, and at 5280 feet. That is where Soulshine comes in…
Due to our MANY email exchanges, Rachelle noticed that I was a photographer and so when it came time to think about wedding #2, she reached out to me. Thank goodness she did too, because not only are they one of the most sincere and genuine couples I’ve ever met, they also got married, again, at The Manor House in Littleton, which happens to be one of my favorite venues on the Front Range!
The minute I met Rachelle, I knew my day was going to be easy - she is stunning and gracious! However, lucky for me (and James, I guess), she is also stunning inside too! She gives off a vibe that is hard to ignore. Anyway, let’s keep going…it’s time for the first look with dad!
When her father saw her, tears began to flow and it wasn’t just between the bride and her dad (snif, snif). Get it together, Sara! Ok…so, once I was done with the bride and the details (which is one of my favorite parts of the wedding to photograph), I ventured down to the “man cave” where I met James.
You can tell a lot about someone based on how they treat their family and friends. I knew nothing about James other than he loves Rachelle, right? However, the same vibe I got from Rachelle, I got from James. Kind, attentive, gracious, and he clearly doesn’t take those around him for granted. During our final phone call, James made sure I knew that this wedding was for family and friends and even though he wanted AMAZING pictures, he also wanted to make sure ample time was spent with his loved ones, which I have mad respect for!
OK, it’s time for the first look! There are so many benefits to doing a first look, but I’d rather focus on the romantic parts. Yes, it is somewhat staged (sometimes VERY staged) but the look on the groom’s face is always authentic! The “look of awe” is what I hope to capture - and his reaction to her look is just perfectly perfect!
After a few private moments, it was on to wedding party photos! Both the bride and groom loved the library, as do I! It offers amazing light, lots of colors and textures! Did I mention how much I love The Manor House? ;-)
Every time I am in this room, I feel like I am part of the movie “Clue”. It was done by Ms. Scarlet, in the library, with the rope. I am clearly dating myself here, but it’s worth it, that movie was great!
As I alluded to above, there are many advantageous reasons to do a first look! Besides the sheer romance of it all, logistically speaking it means that you can get a bunch of the group photos done BEFORE the ceremony, which means you have more time to mingle, drink and be merry with your guests. Yes, it’s less traditional, so if you’re into that, it’s a perfect way to take a chunk of the stress OUT of your big day! Now, it’s time to find dad and take that very short, but long awaited walk down that aisle…
I love capturing that very specific moment when the bride sees her groom waiting for her at the end of the brick walkway. Being the lone photographer at some of my weddings, I have to pick and choose what to focus on since I can’t be two, or three places at once, so my gut instinct is VERY important.
I kept an eye on the groom, but I knew she was going to give me something, so I waited and won!
The same vows were repeated and they did a “ring warming” ceremony which I had never heard of! They took the wedding rings that they had been wearing for the last year, placed them in a bag, and passed it around to ALL the guests who then rubbed them gently with their hands, passing their love into the rings before they placed them on one another’s hands for a 2nd time. I’ve done over 100 weddings and I STILL learn something new almost every time I photograph one.
Ok, so now we’re ready for formals and we caught the sun JUST before it set behind the mountain! YAY, this is another one of my favorite parts! I’ll stop talking now so we can enjoy these views…
And then there was the party…
