Part II of Ryan + Heather’s day was just as fun and emotionally filled as ..Part I..!
We made our way towards ..The Ritz Theater.. for our portrait session! The refreshing air was a huge contrast to the muggy air that lay like a thick blanket outside. Once we finished up, we gave the couple and their friends a chance to enjoy their limo. So Nicole and I headed off towards the reception to capture all of the cute little details!
It wasn’t long before the newly weds were being introduced! Toasts were given and plenty of laughs shared. Shortly after dinner was when the tears began to flow again. A slideshow presentation was being shared of both Heather and Ryan’s childhood memories. It wasn’t long before I spotted Doug {Heather’s Dad} in sobs across the room. His little girl, his only girl, had grown up so fast. A glimpse around the room showed that her family was having the same sentiments. Heather’s memories turned into Ryan’s and it wasn’t long before Terry + Elaine {Ryan’s parents} were in the same situation! A flood of childhood sweetness had overtaken the room and they too had tears in their eyes. After the slideshow was over, I went up to the Burkin family openly admitting that they were touching every single one of my emotional strings! {4.} I knew it wasn’t going to be the last! The dances hadn’t even happened yet!
Heather + Ryan then had the opportunity to cut their cake and as they shared their first piece of teamwork, Heather smeared some frosting all over Ryan’s face. Ryan took it with not a single piece of fight, as she took the opportunity to paint his face. He just lifted his hands and shrugged his shoulders while his family beckoned him to return the love! He much obliged them by giving Heather a huge kiss, mimicking the frosting on her sweet smile!
After cleaning up, the couple was called to the floor to share their first dance as husband and wife. In the blink of an eye their moment was over and Ryan was handing Heather over to her Dad for their dance. The familiar music that he use to play for Heather as a little girl allowed the waterworks to begin again. Doug clung to his baby girl, holding her just about as tight as he could, reminiscing all the years gone by. I’m not quite sure how Heather held it together, but she held on to her Dad with the same affirmation and love. Ryan + Elaine’s dance followed, and they shared little laughs as they had their own little personal conversation.
Once I had the opportunity to put myself back together, I talked with Doug. He looked at me and shared, I remember the days of you and Patrick being young, going to school together and then watching you grow up. Now look at you, he said, you both are married and have beautiful children. In the blink of an eye you will be here. You will be watching your baby get married. It just goes so fast. Yep, you guessed it, I lost it again! {5.} I gave him a big hug, and then asked him not to rush it, as smiles spread across both our faces.
After all the tears {joyful tears}, the party took off and there was plenty of dancing and laughter that took over!
Ryan + Heather, what a sweet, sweet opportunity to capture all the hidden moments within your day. Big and small! Thank you times a million for letting me be such a huge part in it! I wish you both the best of luck in your new marriage and many years of joy and happiness to come!
..MEMORIES..
love, echo
