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January 5, 2012
Exactly three years before this day, Elizabeth and Nick met for the first time. Since that day they've fallen in love with each other while living on opposite sides of the planet, with Elizabeth in Los Angeles and Nick in London. Meeting with them on their wedding day, I could feel that sense of earned love that only living apart will give you. They have known life apart and life together, from this point forward it's only going to be life together. Of course three years ago, I doubt they could hardily imagine what would be in store on their wedding day. Even when I talked to Elizabeth for the first time in November, I could hardly imagine what would be in store on their wedding day.
On the day of their wedding, Nick did not see Elizabeth until she walked out from behind a tree with her family, walked down an imaginary aisle, and across a meadow towards her husband. It was an absolutely gorgeous afternoon, with the sun peaking out from behind the clouds, casting Yosemite Valley in a magical light. But the real magic was with Elizabeth and Nick. It was in the way they held each others hands and looked into each others eyes and wiped away each others tears. If you were there you could have felt it in the air.
Officially husband and wife, they walked through the meadows of Yosemite Valley for a few minutes enjoying the breath taking views. The weather so far this winter has been very dry in Yosemite, leaving the meadows without snow and bathed in golden grasses. This weather also has left the high country completely accessible as Tioga Pass remains open, giving us an incredibly unique opportunity that I was hoping to take advantage of.
I think it was right around the time that I mentioned that they could have "the most unique wedding photographs in Yosemite" that Elizabeth and Nick decided to come up to Tenaya Lake with me. The idea of walking across a frozen Tenaya Lake on their wedding day was too much to pass up, so we quickly headed up to the high country arriving just in time to catch the final rays of light skating on the granite domes.
The few tourists that were there stood in amazement as a bride and groom jumped out of my car and walked out into the middle of the lake hand in hand. The whole thing was an incredibly surreal experience. All I remember is moving as fast as I possibly could to make the most of the sliver of light we had to work with and constantly asking myself if this was real. The alpenglow lighting up the granite and reflecting on the ice was stunning. I can only imagine what Elizabeth and Nick were thinking, standing on the frozen ice of Tenaya Lake and taking this all in on their wedding day.
We were not at Tenaya Lake long before heading back down to the Ahwahnee were they were once again joining their family for a celebration dinner. We made one final stop in the valley, a photograph that stands in stark contrast to the valley just a few hours before, a photograph showing the majesty of the sky above.
For me their wedding day was an incredible experience. To be able to share Tenaya Lake with a couple on their wedding day was magical. But really all of that is just the icing on the cake. Elizabeth and Nick are the true stars of the day and getting to know them was the real treasure for me. The are both such wonderful and warm people; honest and true with emotion and deeply in love. Isn't it all about the love?
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the shiznits man! Good thing the ice was solid!
Wow! Patrick, these photo's are amazing...all I can say is thank you so much for all your hard work, kind words and creative genius. You are right, we never could have imagined something so wonderful. I am so happy.
Wow! Patrick, these photo's are amazing...all I can say is thank you so much for all your hard work, kind words and creative genius. You are right, we never could have imagined something so wonderful. I am so happy.
Patrick, you made me the happiest bride!!! These are incredible. You really made our day, Being with you on the lake was incredible. Nick and I will forever be thankful!
WOW Patrick!!! What an awesome way to remember Elizabeth's and Nick's magical wedding day! You captured the spirit of the day so it can be relived every time we look at your pictures. Thank you sooooo much!!!
THese are absolutely amazing! I am so glad you got these pictures! Now I can pretend like I was there too!! So amazing! I am so happy for you two! CONGRATS!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wow, these photos are fantastic -- literally, they look like they came out of a fantasy story. Definitely recommending you to anyone I know getting married soon.
These are amazing! SO happy you got such great photos. Now I can pretend like I was there :) Love you both and congrats!!!
These photos are absolutely breathtaking and truly capture the radiant energy between Elizabeth and Nick. I am in awe. As Colleen said, especially after reading the accompanying blog post, I feel like I was there! Congratulations Elizabeth and Nick! Patrick, thank you for sharing; you have a true gift!
Wow, amazing couple and amazing pictures. Be blessed.
These pictures are beautiful just like the amazing couple in them! So happy you two have these unique pictures to remember your big day!
Wow, just wow! I especially love the long exposure at the end. Amazing work, Patrick. Just amazing.
These pictures are great!!! Congratulations!!
Sadly I could not be at the wedding for health reasons but these wonderful photographs bring home to me what a fantastic day it was for my son and his new bride, my lovely daughter in law. I am a very lucky and proud man. Thank you for the stunning photographs.
After seeing the first picture of Liz on Tenaya Lake, I was stunned by the beauty and contrast of the photo, as well as hoe beautiful my friend looked in the afternoon glow! After seeing the rest of these "first peek" masterpieces, I am even more amazed. The silhouette photo on the lake (second to last) might be my second favorite scene. So classic and romantic. Congratulations, Liz and Nick - and good job, Patrick. :)
These pictures are absolutely amazing!!! Nick and Liz will treasure these forever! I am sooo happy for you two and wish you all the best!
These pictures are absolutely breathtaking! I am sitting here, at work, crying while I look at this magic day. Congratulations Liz and Nick!! I am so happy for you!!
Patrick you helped make this day great, and your pictures tell the story of how great the day was. This wedding was God sent and so was your talent, thank you, elizabeths dad and nicks father in law
Congratulations again! Amazing photos, gorgeous day in Yosemite and the frozen lake photos are just ridiculously awesome! Liz-I love the dress, you look so pretty! Wishing you both all the best for 2012!
The pictures are incredible! I especially love the black and white pictures, they remind me of an old fashion wedding/romance and the background is so beautiful. The last picture with the stars in the sky is just amazing and I think wraps up the wedding theme. I wish you both nothing but best wishes and blessings
Stunning beautiful pictures....they made me cry. Nick and Liz look so happy and in love and to capture that for all of us who could not be there is truly magical...thank you.
These are truly the most beautiful wedding portraits that I've ever seen! Gorgeous photographs with a gorgeous couple. Congratulations!
Absolutely stunning, can't even being to pick my favorite! My niece absolutely loves Yosemite and you have made her special day even more special, thank you for your work!
Looks like it was an amazing and intimate wedding! I am very happy and excited for you guys! Great photos, the last one is my favorite with the millions of stars and the light around you guys.
Beautiful. Really beautiful.
Absolutely stunning!
Awesome pictures! Congrats again guys
Nick and Liz, these photographs are fantastic. What a spellbinding day you must of had it looks literally out of this world. I couldnt be happier for you both and hope that a big UK celebration is on its way in 2012 or as soon as you can make it back. What a gorgeous couple! x
You continue to amaze me Patrick! You are a Rock Star! Absolutely stunning!
Well what can I say,
The photos look amazing, what a location. The frozen lake pictures are fantastic. Liz looks beautiful and you scrubbed up alright too Nick! I'm so happy for you both and can't wait to see you in the summer. Wishing you every happiness.
Lots of love,
Jamie
Wow, these photos are amazing. It must have been really special, I look forward to hearing all about it!
Nicki,
xxx
Beautiful Pictures! Congrats guys.
You got married at my favorite national park! Congratulations, Liz and NIck. I wish you happiness, lots of laughter, and good health for the rest of your lives. This is a beautiful album and a great start to many wonderful memories.
Maria
Elizabeth, I'm an old childhood friend of your father, who is, in my opinion, a great servant of God and who has been a far better friend to me than I to him. He told me where to see these photos. They are truly a beautiful rendition of your wedding. I wish you and Nick all the best for a lifetime of happiness together.