I have butterflies in my stomach as I get ready to make this blog post. Why? I love this couple. I loved this wedding. I love these photos. I met Claire and Matt earlier this year when they first contacted me about wedding photography. We met over coffee and I went home and told my husband how excited I would be if they chose me as their wedding photographer. I didn't hear from Claire for a couple of weeks. I'll be honest, I was heartbroken. When Claire did call, it was to tell me that they thought I would be the perfect fit for their wedding day. The feeling was completely mutual. She also told me about how her mom was diagnosed with cancer and was going through a tough battle. My own mom is my best friend so my heart ached for Claire as she explained the diagnosis and everything that her mom was going through. Claire and Matt live in Florida but Claire stayed with her mom in the Sacramento area for weeks on end. Claire and Matt offered to put their wedding on hold, but of course her mom was having none of that.
As September 25th finally rolled around, I was excited to see Claire's plans manifest themselves on her wedding day, but I was also nervous to meet her mother. I was worried that she would be very sick. I wear my emotions on my sleeve and I knew that it had the potential to be a very emotional day. I am so, so pleased to say that Claire's mom is doing wonderfully and was a ray of light on their wedding day. I met her and would have never known how ill she had been. God is good!
This was my very first wedding where the bride and groom did a first look and saw eachother before the ceremony. I was so excited! The couple wanted to do some photos in Matt's uniform before the wedding, and to be honest, a first look just fit with Claire and Matt. Claire was strikingly (as in girl crush-like) beautiful in her simple gown and bare feet. And okay, admit it, what's better looking than a man in uniform? Claire and Matt also told me beforehand that they are lovers of black and white, which is why you will see more black and white photos than I normally do. I too love black and white which made editing their wedding photos even more enjoyable. PS - this gorgeous, perfect location is The Flower Farm in Loomis, CA. I'm not even kidding you, if I would have known of this place back in 2005 it's where I would have been married. This venue is AMAZING.
Everything about Claire and Matt and their wedding day was raw. It was honest. It was true.
I am very sad that this couple lives across the country. I know that we could be great friends if distance weren't such a barrier. In fact, they made me feel so comfortable that I allowed myself to have my very first glass of champagne at a wedding in which I was working. Normally I turn it down, always airing on the side of professionalism...but as we were standing in the warm September sun and the wonderful catering staff came out offering it to all of us, I'm pretty sure I would have felt just a little less "me" if I turned it down.
Matt & Claire.....you are beautiful. Your wedding was beautiful. Thank you.
