David and David

Delaware Beach Wedding

This year my wedding season started earlier than I had originally planned. David and David reached out to me last month as they scrambled to look for a replacement photographer. Fortunately, I was available to take part in their celebration, and the result is an amazing kick off to the redesign of my wedding blog.

When David emailed me his itinerary he made me aware that it was not going to be the typical traditional wedding format, and As I read through it, the reception portion put such a smile on my face. David and David had some pretty amazing things planned. When amazing things are planned, amazing memories are born. If I remember correctly, I believe I heard that this MARRIAGE was 17 years in the making. That may seem like a long time to some, but it takes years for the strongest of trees to touch the sky.

Unlike a traditional wedding, everyone gathered before the ceremony to snack, drink, and laugh. It was at this moment that I saw that this couple did not just have family, but they also had friends who were so close they may as well be labeled as family.

These girls were legit with their selfie game. Just check out that phone grip technique which allows her pointer finger to tap the screen to take the shot.

Even the doggies were dressed to the nines! You’ll see why in just a few photos.

It was a little windy out on the beach, but we were blessed with an overall beautiful day. It was slightly overcast which is always ideal for an outdoor ceremony (cloudless afternoon sky leads to squinting), and the sun peaked out in short bursts to help warm us up.

Those doggies you saw getting dressed earlier, they escorted their parent's down the aisle!

It’s photos like these that I cherish the most! Prim and proper is nice, but nothing beats an image that shows off some personality.

Vows can bring out a lot of emotion…

and sometimes it’s those emotions that make it tough to say what’s in your heart.

Of course, the best part about having a beach wedding is getting to play in the water afterwards. She was the only one though, haha. I can only imagine how cold that water was!

The reception was literally a few steps away at Salero. This place is sort of a hidden gem on the Rehoboth Beach Boardwalk. It’s at the top of Henlopen Hotel where you can get ready a few floors down in your room, and party a few floors up.

Everyone attending the joining of these two amazing people in person and in spirit. See those two mics on the chair? Those weren’t for speeches.

The introductions of family went as usual. When the couple was introduced though, they came out in wigs, and proceeded to SERENADE their guests in a round of karaoke. WHat song did they sing you ask? Why that song was none other than “I’m to sexy” by Right Said Fred.

This photo is a glimpse at how much fun it was.

The wedding officiant in his reception attire. I’m not going to lie. Working some of these summer weddings get pretty hot in dress pants. A kilt may have to be a part of my wardrobe. THe only issue is I don’t want to detract from a bride’s gown ;)

Have you ever seen a more beautiful Grandmother with an equally beautiful set of grandchildren! Again, posed photos are awesome, but these have a special place in my heart.

The brother did a wonderful job with his speech as you can see with the smiles around the room. WHat got me though was when he put the mic up to the sister for her two cents…well more like one cent. She responded every time with “Yeah” if I remember correctly.

After the speech and toast. The Grooms brought everyone out to the floor. They had put together a slideshow of all the same sex friends and family who have gotten married over the years. It doesn’t matter what everyone’s opinion is on the matter, all that matters is that love wins.

As soon as the slideshow finished, two drag queens came out. The first one went around passing out gay pride flags for people to wave around and hold up high.

The second one came out, and performed “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.” That performance absolutely tore the place down.

Why are all these people gathered around holding their wrists out? If you look closely, each on of them has “love” TATTOOED on their wrist to celebrate the couple.

You guys know how to floss? I’m not talking about the new dance that everyone has been doing recently.

As soon as I took this shot, I instantly started singing “I whip my hair back and forth” to myself. Her hair is legit this vibrant and epic in person.

After I took this photo, the drag queen on the left told me “You gotta have a little boob.” I thought she was REFERRING to what the Groom was doing. Upon closer inspection of the back of my camera I learned what she really meant.

At the end of the night, David 1 surprised his husband David 2 with a flash mob of a choreographed dance to Dancing Queen. There are group dance songs that DJ’s will play to get everyone on the floor to help keep the party going, but none of those have the energy of 85 people singing Abba at the top of their lungs.

The wedding day was actually the first time I got to meet David and David in person. As I was packing up my gear and heading out the door, I received an email. The email was from the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation saying that someone made a Great Strides donation for My daughter Mila. The awesome people who donated was this lovely couple that you just saw here. After saying farewell, I started packing my bags to head home, and they surprised me again with an easter basket to give to my baby girl. The day was filled with so many laughs and happy tears, and those laughs and tears are still with me as I am writing this today. I always say that I have the best clients, and that I walk away from each session with a new friend. THat has never been more true than right now. Thank you to David and David for letting me be a part of your lives.