I fell in love with a little creation named “Tucker” while shooting this wedding. It was his scraggly look that stole my heart, along with his absolute dedication for the groom.

But let’s get back to the beginning of the wedding, actually before it started. Cydny (whose engagement session I shot in Liberty State Park in NJ on a very sunny day has a business in the Art Factory in Paterson NJ where she wanted the grungy walls to be the backgrounds for her pre-wedding shots. Two thumbs up for grunge : ). Here she is standing with the 3 groomsmen. The couple opted not to see each other before the ceremony, so we had to hide the blushing bride.

Marc, the groom, stands on the far left next to his groomsmen (and his brother… I think you can tell which one that is).

Cydny gets her makeup touched up. The flower girls were a lot of fun to work with and VERY cooperative. I seriously want to know which behavior manual their parents used.

As I said before, Cydny and Marc wanted to see each other during the ceremony for the first time, but they WERE willing to hold each other’s hands without actually seeing each other. The door exhibit allowed us just that. I have the give the creativity credit to Cydny for this one.

Cydny was not only a gorgeous bride, but super laid back. I would have definitely complained walked around that art factory in a heavy dress. It was a HOT day and air conditioning there was not. Yes, and check out her brooch bouquet.

Back at the door exhibit with her bridesmaids and flower girls. I will again let you guess which one her sister is. (And I have to say I love it when the bridesmaid dresses are slightly different).

How much do you love their shoes!

Some photojournalism.

Cydny’s sister stands around with the groomsmen.

Net = awesome.

So here is the fun part. The wedding was in the bride’s mom’s back yard! It was perfect. They even had big weddingy things floating in the pool. (No, no one fell in. Even towards the end of the night).

Behind the scene shots with the flower girls.

Oh Tucker. How I love that bottom jaw of yours.

The wedding was intimate and the backyard was the right size.

Some eye-candy decorations from the wedding.

All the men (including Tucker) are waiting as Cydny’s dad walks her down the grassy aisle.

I think lying down between the bride and groom during the ceremony is as good as place as any to cool off.

Some men were facing the wrong way, unfortunately. I know I talk a lot about the dog, but the ceremony itself was definitely emotional, even for me. The justice of peace was their friend whose booklet cover said something like “How to be a justice of peace – for Dummies”.

Cydny waits to put on a ring on Marc’s finger.

After the ceremony was over we did family shots right against the curtain that served as the ceremony background.

The couple photos came after all the family photos. It’s good to dismiss family members ASAP because usually they want to get back to their drinks : )

I usually try to find a constant shade, but in this case I got out of my comfort zone and snapped some fun shadow pics.

Don’t know if I mentioned this, but Cydny is a professional dancer. I think we stole into an excited neighbor’s backyard for these pics. It’s easier to get away from the guests, who will otherwise attack with good wishes.

The food was served in a really nice tent right near the bride’s mom’s home.

Introducing the wedding party.

A bird’s eye view from the upstairs porch.

Bride and father dance!

Cydny… look at your cute smile.

The speeches of the “best sister” and “best brother”.

Listening to the toasts.

The dancing started while the sun was still up.

Lighting is tricky when you are outside and it’s totally dark. For this I used two off-camera flashes… one on a tripod as a hair light, and another as the main light which I had my wonderful assistant (Sophie) hold with a collapsible soft box on it.

There were a LOT of dancing shots, so I figured a collage would be the best way to represent that.

You guys are just so cute!