I love weddings. Ten years ago I never could have imagined that I would be photographing weddings. I was a self proclaimed nature photographer specializing in underwater critters. People (as subjects) weren't even on my radar. If I was going to an event, I didn't even think about bringing a camera. If I was going diving, I packed every ounce of camera gear I owned and rarely had room in my bag for much else.

Oh how things have changed, which is why I had to laugh at myself this morning when I realized I was positively giddy with excitement to go through images from Elizabeth and Jake's wedding.

This weekend was my second time working with the Benoit family. I had the pleasure of meeting them last summer at their son's wedding. Now, after an entire weekend with them, I can honestly say, they are extraordinary people. It was wonderful to see familiar faces at the wedding and even more wonderful to be treated like family ourselves. The groom's team turned out to be a dream to work with as well. The Hanley/DeLucia/Cimmino family was simply awesome. We couldn't have asked for a better crew!

So what do you get when you combine two awesome families, amazing people you have worked with before, amazing people you just met, the best wedding band of all time and 80 people from all over the country at the top of a mountain in a lodge you can only get to by gondola???

Epic Danceparty.

Every single Auntie, Uncle, Cousin and Grammy was out on the dance floor moving like a pro. At one point I looked across the room and noticed Mike "photo dancing" (which is my new term for the phenomenon that occurs when the music is so good that even the photographers can't refrain from shaking their hips and bobbing their heads). I think it's safe to say that everyone in attendance had a fantastic time (including us!)

Now to bring it all back around... I love weddings. I love weddings because of the warmth and contagious, electric excitement I feel when I am in the midst of a group of people who are genuinely thrilled to be together. I love seeing two families come together in celebration of two people they love more than anything in the world. I love knowing that I get to capture beauty, hugs, tears of joy, and moments of genuine emotion. I love knowing that the bride and groom will be able to look at my images and catch up on the moments that flew by when they were caught up in the locomotive power of their wedding day. I also love epic dance parties. 

Cheers to the Benoits and to Mama DeLucia and all the Aunties for a perfect wedding weekend!