Down the Aisle: Erica + Tyler

It's always an honor to work with out-of-state clients who entrust me with the responsibility of capturing such an important day in their lives. Hiring a professional wedding photographer is a very personal thing... and having only had the chance to meet with Erica & her mom Karen once... well... let's just say I'm especially humbled. :) When I arrived at the hotel suite the door was open but no one was in sight. Erica's dress however, welcomed me with this pretty smile. :)

The girls buzzed around in a frenzy of powder, perfume, lip gloss and giggles.

This ring shot was a total experiment.... but I have to say I'm pretty happy with the way it turned out! :) Thanks for your help on this one Maggie! :)

The peacefulness of this image stopped me in my tracks...

Tyler's eyes are mesmerizing here... wow!

This was when I first met Terry... Erica's dad. He is a riot! Don't those dress blues look sharp!?

***L-O-V-E***

Terry was hilarious... every now and then he'd pop up behind me with a photo request, one of which was this image with a longtime buddy of his. Naturally, I was happy to oblige. Aren't they adorable?

After the ceremony at St. Mary's, the troops were up for more photo fun....

This was where it all started.... at Brother's Bar where Erica & Tyler both worked (only after another friend twisted Erica's arm and convinced her to apply in the first place).

When I arrived at the reception, my jaw hit the floor when I saw the incredible floral artistry of Stacy Combs over at Petal Creations. She truly is a magician with all things floral!

I've seen a lot of neat things at a lot of fantastic weddings... but this touching tribute truly stole my heart. As Erica's dad Terry explained, there is a tradition in the military of honoring those that are no longer with us. In an adaptation, Erica & Tyler honored their departed family members with a single table setting at the reception, and this following reading:

"We call your attention to the small table with occupies a place of honor and dignity. Although it is set for one, it symbolizes the fact that many of our family and friends are not able to be with us.

The table is small, symbolizing the frailty of each life and every family member.

The tablecloth is white, symbolizing the purity of our love for them and theirs for us.

The vase of flowers represent each person we wish to honor tonight...

The slide of lemon reminds of of the bitterness we feel at their absence and our wish that they could have been here with us tonight.

The salt sprinkled on the plate reminds us of the tears we have shed in their memory and what they have come to mean to each of us in our lives.

The glass is inverted, as they cannot be here tonight to toast with us.

The chair will remain empty, for they are not here.

The candle is reminiscent of the light of hope, that one day we will be together again."

I love things like this too... instead of party favors, guests found this message waiting for them at each place setting:

Time to party! Tyler + Erica's first dance was a special performance piece they put together to entertain the crowd.

Tyler and his mom were especially fun to watch throughout the day.... Holly is a woman of strength and grace, and I love the way they came together in this image.

Congrats guys... best wishes to you all! :)