Lianne + Nik // Paros, Greece Wedding

In the depths of my 2020 Covid stress, I often wandered over and through the thought of, "Can my photography business can come back from this?", and while I braced myself for a possibly wonky 2021 wedding season and potentially more rescheduled weddings, I pleaded with the universe to let this wedding that has been on my calendar for what feels like forever remain unscathed. Greece opened its borders to tourism only a few weeks before this wedding was scheduled (not stressy at ALL), and it was the biggest Christmas miracle (in July), and wiped away all residual Covid-blues from the moment we landed.

Every once in awhile, I get to shoot not only incredible destination weddings, but I also get to shoot weddings for very special, dear people in my life. This wedding was a combination of both, and I have known the bride, Lianne, and her family for what feels like a lifetime, and they have been such amazing supporters of me/my entire family for as long as I can remember. It felt only natural to volunteer myself for the role of Lianne and Nik's wedding photographer, and I was really excited when they didn't reject this offer/me. :)

Lianne and Nik have one of those love stories that feels too "The Notebook" to be real, but truly and wholeheartedly, they were meant to find each other again in this exact season of life. Their story is not mine to share, but it's a heartmelter, and it made this wedding day so special to document. I have never seen such a bright, permanent smile on Lianne, and it brings me such friend-peace to know that she found her person, and to meet Nik even just once, is to love him forever.

Cheers this couple that made this trip possible, and also ruined me on international vacations. I really can't understand why i'd ever-ever go anywhere else.

Jennifer & Benjamin // Orebro, Sweden Wedding

Three international flights+one 2 hour bus ride later, and my built-in second shooter (husband) and I have arrived in Orebro, the seventh largest city in Sweden and home to a medieval castle, better known as Orebro Castle. This city is where Jennifer and Benjamin will be getting married the following day, and that castle that I keep humble-bragging about is where their wedding reception will be taking place. I did as much Google image-stalking as possible prior to this trip, but nothing could have prepared me for the beauty of this day, this town, and most of all, Jennifer & Benjamin's love story that unfolded in front of my very eyes. Not even going to lie: I fell in love with Sweden about .2 seconds after I arrived, and more specifically, Orebro. Jennifer and Benjamin's wedding was a cultural experience in and of itself, and a beautiful homage to Benjamin's Swedish ethnicity. I watched in amazement as customary, Swedish traditions played out (ex: when the groom leaves the room, male wedding guests quickly form a line and swiftly kiss the bride until the groom returns, and vice versa), and I had the incredible opportunity to take a short cab ride with the bride and groom to capture the essence of the local village, featuring the "Falu Red"-dyed paint, a hue that is specific to Sweden. Much of this day felt (and looked) like a medieval fairytale, and I am so thankful for Jennifer and Benjamin for giving me an opportunity to both see and capture such a marvelous (other) side of the world. I'm already nostalgic for this day, for this couple, and the sheer beauty that draped ever square inch of this day. Forever thankful to these two for letting me tag along and showing me the adventure of a lifetime.

Avisha & Ron // Puerto Vallarta Wedding

"80% chance of thunderstorms" is usually somewhere near the top 10 list of wedding photographers worst fears, the night before said outdoor wedding, especially one that is set in a location that boasts exotic, jungle terrain and meant to be enjoyed near picturesque, white-sand beaches. It is the day before Avisha and Ron's Puerto Vallarta destination wedding, and I am on my way to their rehearsal dinner where I would be meeting them in person for the first time, prepared to bring all the good vibes and weather luck for the following day, but being open to idea that the impending forecast might literally put a damper on their wedding day, and thus their spirits. Upon arrival (sweat dripping down my actual face, about 10 levels past "dewy"), I was greeted by the bride's sister, Amira, who graciously showed me around the small, yet expansive property of Villa Verano, a 17,000 square foot estate on an acre & a half of a beachfront private paradise. A few moments later, Avisha arrived, greeting me with a giant hug, and it was clear in an instant that her and Ron had a "zero cares" attitude regarding the ominous forecast for the following day, and from that moment on, I only witnessed the happiest, calmest energy from the couple and every single one of their guests as they all proceeded to have an amazing time in a magical place, celebrating each other along with their community of supporters. I left their rehearsal dinner feeling so inspired for whatever the next day would hold, umbrellas and all, knowing my subjects were already just so happy to marry each other, and that type of energy is so much more important to capture over less-than-ideal weather conditions. So remember that whole, "80% chance of thunderstorms" on every.single.weather.app? It never happened. Not even a drop. I greeted Avisha in her room that next morning, and brought as many of her details outside as possible, thinking that I could at least get some images of the Puerto Vallarta landscape in the background prior to the weather turning. But then the whole day turned into taking shots outside, and never once did we need to scramble for shelter or overhangs, and instead, we all just had the best day ever. My "work" day honestly just felt like I was hanging with a bunch of awesome friends who occasionally like to jump in a pool with all of their wedding clothes on, and I mean it when I say Avisha and Ron were the most laid-back couple, who completely trusted me to do my thing with absolutely no questions asked. This wedding was only a few months ago, yet I'm already nostalgic for this day, and I desperately need this couple to renew their vows every single year, and with all of these same people, in this exact spot. Cheers to this lovely, outrageously sweet couple who made my Puerto Vallarta dreams come true, and THANK YOU for sharing all those churros with me. I may or may not have eaten more than my fair share??Venue: Villa VeranoPlanning: Mar WeddingsDress: Laudae Bride