143
July 19, 2010
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142
July 13, 2010
I've said this before, but is something magical about an elopement, especial a Yosemite elopement. Once you strip away all of the fluff surrounding a wedding you are left with nothing but the love between a man and woman. Doing this along the banks of a river and under a grove of trees in Yosemite just feels right, like the way love was meant to be.
Kelly is a preschool teacher, something that you would probably guess after spending a bit of time with her. She is so bubbly and happy about life, it's infectious. Jorge kept his emotions a bit closer to himself, but once they were together it was pure love. You know those romantic movies where a couple can spend an entire day and night on a beach all by themselves, laughing the night away? That's Kelly and Jorge.
After they were married we traveled around the park for a bit stopping by some of my favorite spots. Where ever we went the scenery changed, but the look of love in Kelly and Jorge's eyes stayed the same. It was as if they had already been married for the past twenty years and were looking forward to the next twenty.
After spending the day with them, it's fitting that Kelly and Jorge spent a week traveling for their wedding. They have each other and the world ahead of them.
Big thanks to Dylan for assisting me with lighting all day!
Officiant: Reverend Carol Dewey
Comments
Kelly says:
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Ahhh Patrick...these pictures are so beautiful it makes my heart hurt. This is a beautiful way to remember our day. Thank you for everything.
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141
July 7, 2010
If you've been with me for a while in this journey through weddings, you now how much I appreciate the uniqueness of each wedding. My experience has been that the more a couple brings their own style to their wedding, the better the wedding is. Period.
Vanessa and Marc's wedding was one hundred percent their own. Their love of the outdoors and spending quality time with their family and friends influenced every planning decision they made and set the atmosphere of the day. They created a small destination wedding in Big Bear Lake so that they could slow down and focus on relationships.
Vanesa and Marc rented a large lakeside cabin in Big Bear for their wedding that served as both housing and a reception venue. Katie and I joined them at the cabin early in the morning to find Marc cooking breakfast for everyone in the house. Upstairs Vanessa and her bridesmaids were unhurriedly getting ready. The whole vibe in the house was both relaxed and in quiet anticipation of what was to come. Before we left for the ceremony, Vanessa wrapped herself in a cloak so that Marc wouldn't see her dress. And did I mention that Marc wore a sword?
Their ceremony was at simple clearing in the forest three miles up a fire road and across "the pit from hell". It was amazingly beautiful and peaceful with the sounds of the breeze pulling through the trees and birds finding breakfast. The story of how they actually found this spot is even more amazing - let's just say it involves about 13 miles more snowshoeing than I would be willing to do.
After the ceremony we all enjoyed a picnic lunch at a campsite down a short trail from the ceremony. It was the perfect summertime hangout, complete with a pinata and kids climbing trees. Once lunch was over, Vanessa and Marc lead a group of their guests on a short hike through the high country, wedding dress and all.
In the evening everyone gathered at the cabin for a dinner reception. There was no formal seating, everyone joined together at tables around the house or reclined in couches to enjoy each others company. It created the atmosphere of a special family gathering rather than a stuffy wedding reception.
As Katie and I left them, the cabin had been transformed. The entryway was the dance floor, the living room was a lounge, and the bar was the place to be. Their personality had been infused into everything and everyone. It was if it was their own home.
Vanessa and Marc made it clear that with each other, you have everything you need. None of the decorations or beautiful locations made the wedding what it was - Vanessa and Marc made the wedding. Congratulations again!
Comments
Melissa Kennedy says:
Friday, July 9, 2010
Absoulutely beautiful.
Vanessa Blackstone says:
Friday, July 9, 2010
Patrick, I knew that your photographs would be lovely, and they are, but the writing that goes along with them is so very special too. You and Katie joined us and became just as much a part of the day as our friends and family. I can't tell you how much I appreciate your presence, your art, and most of all your heart!
Patrick says:
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Thank you both again for including us on your wedding day. You words are too kind! You guys are awesome and I hope that these picture will always remind you of how you felt on your wedding day!
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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?
Comments
Dennis Pike says:
Friday, July 2, 2010
beautiful words and photos. I LOVE the Panoramic with the two of them
ted says:
Friday, July 2, 2010
Wow!! They had the ceremony on glacial point?? This is awesome, Pat! The Pano = instant wow!
Patrick says:
Monday, July 5, 2010
Thanks guys, I appreciate the kind words!
Shanna says:
Saturday, July 10, 2010
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. =)
Carol Cardinale-Ruiz says:
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
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!
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138
June 29, 2010
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Kerry says:
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Patrick, I can't wait to see the rest. These are simply beautiful.
Celia says:
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
I love the two preview pictures! I can't wait to see the rest!
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Patrick, the picture looks amazing! cant wait to see the rest of them. Seeing you work in person, I see your passion and dedication. Happy Anniversary to you and your wife!
Stephanie,
Thank you so much for the kind words!! You guys are amazing and I loved working with you - so much personality. I just posted a larger set of photographs and I love the way they turned out. Thank you for the anniversary wishes too!