2017 Best of Weddings

Looking back on 2017, there is only one word that comes to mind. Blessed. And I do truly think this word is so overused, especially with a hashtag in front of it 😉 But when I think about the couples I’ve met and the moments I’ve captured this year, I can’t help but realize there’s absolutely no way I could have come across these amazing people on my own. It’s so much more than just good luck! Which is why I know God put them in my life for a reason, knowing they would be the biggest factor in why I love may job. Because when you’re not only passionate about the work you do, but the people behind it, your cup is never empty!

2017 was such a stand out year for weddings for so many reasons, but the biggest was that I was pregnant for every single wedding I shot this year! I found out just days before my second wedding of the year, and from then on, the way I worked and my thought process completely changed. I was so much more intentional about the creative decisions I made, mainly because it was really hard to bend over to recreate a detail shot or move locations if the light wasn’t right haha! I was also overflowing with emotions (blame those pesky pregnancy hormones) so I thought to myself, “Oh, her mom will love this photo!” or “She will look back on this and show her kids one day!” These are thoughts I always had before, but becoming a mom just does something to you and turns every slightly sentimental moment into a mushy mess of weepy sentiment. Moving forward, I love that I think this way now, because I only think it will make my work that much more meaningful to my couples.

And oh, my amazing couples. I am so thankful for them, it’s insane friends! The first three months of my pregnancy were really hard, and happened to fall in the midst of a crazy busy Spring season. I shot around 10 weddings before anyone knew I was pregnant, and between the nausea and fatigue (and the flu and sinus infections), I was struggling. But my couples were so sweet and wonderful, it made it so. completely. worth it! And the places I was able to go this year! From a San Fransisco City Hall elopement, a snowy wonderland straight out of Narnia, a Temecula Winery secret ceremony, and every beautiful wedding in town, I can’t even begin to describe how floored I am to have been there for all those amazing days. Every first look of the groom seeing his girl in white for the first time never failed to make me tear up, and when I close my eyes at night, I picture these unforgettable memories that I get to share with my couples forever. There’s simply no words for my thankfulness! So here’s to a year that saw pouring rain, frozen toes from the snow, intense wind, and insaaaane heat (hello AZ)! Because for every crazy situation, there were happy tears, beautiful flowers, and shoes thrown to the side of the dance floor. And one donkey in a flower crown. I will never forget 2017, one of many years where I was truly, greatly blessed.