Patricia and Marc’s wedding at Salem Golf Club was spectacular from end to end. I arrived at her mom’s house and was greeted with the most open arms from Tricia’s mom, sister, and bridesmaids.

Tricia took me into her childhood bedroom where I was going to shoot the details and told me not to make fun of her when she pulled out all the special details she wanted me to photograph. What a silly thing to say! When she showed me, I basically cried. The first thing she pulled out was a pyrex dish holding all the dried rose petals that were on the ground when Marc proposed to her. The second was a vase of dried roses from all the bouquets Marc has given her over the course of their relationship. Cue all the emotion!!

After we finished the prep, myself and all the girls headed to the venue where they got dressed and Patricia opened her gift from Marc! CUE THE TEARS AGAIN! He proposed in the woods on a trail they often walk on and carved “Will You Marry Me?” on a stump. He then went back and sawed off the top of the stump (to her surprise) and framed it with pictures from the proposal in a shadow box. Oh goodness you guys. It was the sweetest!! And Patricia got him an equally amazing gift and had their proposal location PAINTED! It was incredible!!

After everyone was ready, it was finally ready for the first look. When Patricia got about 10 feet away from Marc, she whispered “Marc Ryan” and he didn’t turn around. A few seconds later he finally turned, clasped his hands over his mouth in awe and shed a few tears. After taking it all in, they embraced in the sweetest hug imaginable. When she asked him why he didn’t turn around he said he needed a moment to take everything in!! They are so adorable together!!

After all the formals were taken and guests started to arrive, we took a gold cart down near some of the bridges on the course to take more portraits before having Tricia and Marc hide away before the ceremony.

Come time for the ceremony, everyone got situated under a beautiful old tree and the clouds kept rain at bay all day! Their ceremony was so personal. It was officiated by their great friend Brian and they both said personal vows. They had a chuppah that was held by four of their friends and it was the same chuppa that all of Marc’s siblings and his parents used on their wedding day 41 years ago. I loved the symbolism of it all, and was really moed by the story of the chuppah as Marc’s father told it.

Patricia’s Uncle Pat also spoke during the ceremony about her side of the family and the strength that they have as a unit. Big hearts, strange wiring he said (as he was dressed head to toe in costume). I loved how personal everything was about this day!

After the ceremony, everyone enjoyed cocktail hour on the patio followed by quite possibly the BEST dance floor and reception I’ve ever ever been a part of. The dance floor was so good that I told the DJ’s to keep it going and I’d stay late to photograph cake and group pictures because I didn’t want them to stop the dance floor! From Whitney Houston to Backstreet Boys, the room was LITERALLY SHAKING and I loved getting to be a part of the celebration! I even got to spend some time with a past Laura Lee Couple, Kaylin and John!

All in all, I can’t imagine the day being any better for Patricia and Marc.

Patricia and Marc, thank you for allowing me to be a part of such an incredible day. It was an honor serving you and your friends and your families. I wish you a lifetime of joy, love, health and happiness for decades to come!