Eric and Caitlin will always hold a very special place in my heart. Not because of the connection we had before the wedding but because of the trust and understanding they showed my best friend during the hardest time of her life and for the invaluable lessons I learned at their wedding itself. 

The Tuesday before their wedding, I got a phone call from one of my best friends asking me if I could shoot her wedding this Saturday because her husband passed away. It was one of the hardest phone calls I’ve ever received. Not only did my heart break for my friend, I was also thinking of “how is she even thinking clearly enough to call me and ask me right now?” I of course said I would and went straight to her. Making the call to Eric and Caitlin that night for my friend was one of the toughest calls I’ve ever had to make. I was so worried about what they would say… what if they said they didn’t want me? What if they didn’t like my work? They never batted an eyelid. They embraced me from the word go on the phone that night and haven’t stopped since.

Before the wedding, I was able to say my goodbyes and then I left to put on my brave face to shoot that wedding. Here’s the thing about weddings and being a wedding photographer. We don’t get to have a bad day. A sad day. An “ehh” day. We have to be fully present. Fully alert. Fully aware of our surroundings. Because if we’re walking around with our head in the clouds, we will miss something or could miss everything. We have to be in a place of happiness and “ON” 100% of the day. There’s no do over. We owe that to our brides and grooms to be 100% THERE on their big day. Whatever happened at home that morning, whatever has us upset or annoyed gets lost and left in the car when we walk into that hotel room because we owe that to our couples who are paying us to capture THE HAPPIEST DAY OF THEIR LIFE! 

I am so honored that Becky chose me to shoot this wedding. I thank God I wasn’t already booked and that I could be there for her when and where she needed me most. I am forever grateful to this amazing couple who welcomed me with arms wide open to capture their day. Aside from the sadness of the week leading up to the wedding, this is a wedding I am super proud of. I showed myself how strong I can be and even surprised myself by that strength. 

Caitlin looked amazingly stunning when I walked in the room for the first time. Eric looked dapper when I met up with him and the guys. I weeped during their vows and, maybe for the first time, heard every single word that was said during that ceremony. It reminds me of that quote by Frank Ocean, “When you’re happy, you enjoy the music but when you’re sad, you understand the lyrics.” Their first dance had me crying, too! More happy tears than sadness for sure. But seeing the two of them so in love and just starting the rest of their lives together and *I* was lucky enough to be there to capture it… that’s grounds for happy tears. Because of photos, they will never have to rely solely on their memories. And one day those photographs will mean more to them than any amount of money they spent on them. 

So many congrats and so much love to Eric and Caitlin for embracing everything and for the kindness you showed to my friend and I. I mean it when I say, I’ll always remember your wedding with happy thoughts because it was that day I realized how incredibly important my job is and how I want to do it as long as people will have me. So many blessings for a lifetime filled with love and happiness. 

I’ll leave this blog with a poem that was read at my grandmother’s funeral when I was 18 years old and I never forgot it. It’s named, “The Dash” by Linda Ellis. 

“I read of a man who stood to speak at the funeral of a friend. He referred to the dates on her casket from beginning to the end. He noted that first came the date of her birth and spoke of the following date with tears, but he said what mattered most of all was the dash between those years. For that dash represents all the time that she spent alive on earth and now only those who loved her know what that little line is worth. 

For it matters not, how much we own, the cars, the house, the cash,

What matters is how we live and love and how we spend our dash. 

So think about this long and hard; Are there things you would like to change?

For you never know how much time is left that can still be rearranged.

If we could just slow down enough to consider what is true and real and always try to understand the way other people feel. And be less quick to anger and show appreciation more and love the people in our lives like we have never loved before. If we treat each other with respect and more often wear a smile, Remembering that this special dash might only last a little while. So when your eulogy is being read with your life’s actions to rehash…

Would you be proud of the things they say about how you spent your dash?”

Go and live well. Go and love hard. Be kind and smile so much people think you’re weird. Most of all, be happy.

Thanks for reading and stopping by.  Xo LG

Ceremony: Peter Hall- Moravian College

Reception: Bank Street Annex, Easton PA

Getting Ready & First Look: Marriott Hotel, Easton PA

Hair: Apotheca Salon and Boutique

Makeup: Michaela Parlette

Tuxedos: Joseph A. Bank

Wedding Gown: Three Graces Bridal

Bridesmaids Gowns: David’s Bridal 

Flowers: Aunt of the Groom- Karen Hahn 

DJ: DJ Fly Guy 

Cake: Cupcakes from Sweet Celebration, Baklava from Daddy’s Place

Hashtag: #beautyandthebudge