lauren and brendan’s wedding felt like one of those timeless affairs. everything was sorted. the i’s were dotted, the t’s were crossed. all that was left was to enjoy every rich moment. the day brimmed with pleasure and beauty, as a wedding day always should for a bride and groom. but something was different. everyone — not just lauren and brendan — seemed to be enjoying the luxury of relaxation. realistically, i know this kind of meticulously planned wedding day demands a huge amount of support from family and friends, and a whole lot of behind-the-scenes running around. still, eileen and i were struck by the way siblings and parents, friends and grandparents all without fail shone with delight as they folded programs, arranged decor, shared life lessons, and so on. i believe it’s a tribute to the kind of people lauren and brendan are. they are both gracious, personable, fun-loving, and fiercely loving. they pour their lives into the lives of others. so this wedding was much more than a celebration for celebration’s sake. it was a huge thanksgiving party for God’s goodness in these two lives, now one.

eileen and i will never get over the fact that we get to experience all of this right at the bride’s and groom’s side. once again, congrats to you guys, lauren and brendan! we have been blessed getting to know you, and sharing in this incredible time of your lives! enjoy every moment together!

i got an early start with the guys at the hooch club, shooting golf. (with my camera, not for sport. believe me, you don’t wanna see what happens if i get a club in my hands. not pretty. my best stroke ever was one on which i missed the ball completely, then launched it backwards on the backswing.)

the girls kicked things off at joseph and friends salon. then it was off to perimeter church. the church just finished new landscaping on campus, and we had a ball discovering creative ways to use it to our advantage. they also had one of the best-planned bridal prep rooms i’ve seen. a great space to shoot in!

i love this shot eileen caught as brendan’s grandmother seems to be passing on some sage advice to lauren. that look in her eye says it all; i can almost hear her voice and beautiful accent just looking at it.

i had to dash up the stairs from the basement to snag this shot before lauren and her bridesmaids disappeared into the bridal room. guests were already gathered outside the chapel; so they snuck her by in a hurry — almost trojan horse style. it must have worked. one guest asked me if i knew where lauren was. when i answered she had just gone by into the room to touch up, they were shocked: “i was waiting to see her this whole time. how on earth did she slip by me!?”

i’m so happy lauren and brendan were willing to slip out of their reception for just a moment to get these couple’s portraits near sunset. totally worth it! the grounds at st. ives country club were beautiful. to think, they were barely able to book their reception here last-minute, after the originally scheduled location fell through. i couldn’t imagine a better reception venue for their wedding, though, as well as this turned out.

okay, so i’ve mentioned how eileen and i (yes, especially i) get more emotional at weddings now that we have a little girl growing up at the speed of light. (she turned one yesterday!) so i was a mess when lauren’s dad began talking about the day his daughter was born. looking right at her as he spoke, he could barely hold himself together. (neither could we.)