140
July 1, 2010
Recently I was asked by a couple to tell them about the best wedding I have been a part of. I've thought about this before, but I can never answer. In a sense, it's not a real question. Every wedding that I have been a part of has such a different feel than than the last, because each couple is unique. Each couple brings their own perspective on life and love to their wedding. That's really the best thing about weddings to me, learning new perspectives on love and life.
For Shanna and Phillip love is time spent together and they built their entire wedding around that simple idea. That's why they decided to come to Yosemite with their guests to marry. They rented out a set of cabins in Yosemite West for their guests and themselves to enjoy for the entire weekend. Even before the wedding day came, their celebration and the party had begun with late night bbq's and hot tub sessions.
On their wedding day, Katie and I joined them as they prepared in separate cabins. Shanna and her family & close friends were getting ready at a healthy pace, not too fast but on time. Meanwhile, just up the road Phillip sipped from a glass as he leisurely went through his morning. They saw each other for the first time that morning before the ceremony and it was perfect for them. Later that day, they both told me how relaxing it was to be with each other at that moment, as if any nerves washed away. After all, this is the person that you want to be with for the rest of your life, wouldn't you want to be with them all the time?
Their ceremony was atop Glacier Point on a stunningly beautiful day. The weather was perfectly warm and the view was, well it was the view from Glacier Point. If you haven't been there, it should definitely be near the top of your list. The ceremony was officiated by Phillip's life long friend and former roommate. With firsthand knowledge of their relationship, the ceremony was wholly Shanna and Phillips.
What will stick out most clearly in my mind when I think back on Shanna and Phillip's wedding is the open emotion. During the ceremony, everyone had a tear in their eyes because of Shanna and Phillip's tender love. It was as if we all knew they had stumbled upon one of life's greatest secrets, love. Some of the men even began to joke in good humor that it must have been the sunscreen in their eyes, because it couldn't have been the love that got them choked up. Of course that sunscreen kept running in their eyes all night long - it was beautiful.
On the way down to their Ahwahnee reception, we stopped off at a few places to take in the wildflowers and waterfalls. Shanna and Phillip were so in love and relaxed it was almost like we weren't even there. Meanwhile, a bus took all of their guests down to the Ahwahnee to enjoy cocktails, appetizers and good company. Once we all arrived at the hotel, Shanna and Phillip surprised all of their guests with a specially choreographed dance. Instantly the mood for the night was set, starting off the party right.
A four course dinner was served in the Solarium as toasts and memories were shared. Just like the ceremony, the words had a real weight to them and emotions ran deep. As the night moved forward and dinner ended the focus remained on relationships. Everyone would dance for a while, then step outside into the cool air to share a drink or a story under the stars, only to start the cycle again a few minutes later. Katie and I left Shanna and Phillip back at their cabins just as the after party started. I'm not sure how late it went that night, but I have a feeling the conversation was good.
Throughout the day and especially at the end of the night, Shann and Phillip kept talking about how everyone told them to make sure they stopped and enjoyed the wedding before it passed them by. This too they found out, didn't make sense. While they definitely took time to enjoy their wedding, there was no stopping. You can't enjoy life from the sidelines, you need to get right in the mix and soak it in - sharing hugs and tears. That is how they lived their wedding - right in the middle of it. Pretty darn cool if you ask me.
And after all of these photos, there is still one more picture to come soon. Isn't there always one more with me?
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beautiful words and photos. I LOVE the Panoramic with the two of them
Wow!! They had the ceremony on glacial point?? This is awesome, Pat! The Pano = instant wow!
Thanks guys, I appreciate the kind words!
Patrick! It's so great coming back from Fiji to these photos and your thoughtful comments. Phillip and I were just looking through and re-living our wedding day (which we can't stop doing!). These photos are fantastic, and really capture the essence of the day. THANK YOU. =)
Beautiful! I love all these shots! My favorite HMMM I think the one of her dancing w/ Dad! Also Shanna and Philip w/ yosemite valley behind them! Breath Taking!