Look at these photos and I dare you to describe Liza and Straker as anything other than Head. Over. Heels. IN LOVE!! Straker's the kind of guy who means what he says and says what he means and when he said he was head over heels for Liza he really meant it.
I woke up the day after Liza and Straker’s wedding, found my glasses, pulled on a flannel and stumbled sleepily into the kitchen. With a wedding hangover like none other (there was no alcohol involved) I put on the kettle for tea and my achy, tired feet padded across the floor and I opened my laptop to pick out a sneak peak or two from the wedding. Once I settled in I checked my phone and found the most alarming message I’ve ever received the day after a wedding. Straker had fallen down the stairs of their Airbnb and had cracked his scull, his back and had two brain bleeds - he was in the ICU at UVM. I dropped my phone, muttered a few expletives and my sister who had assisted the night before looked up at me from her computer, her face whitening as she heard what happened.
I clicked through the images of the day in awe of the joy that poured out of them. Not all wedding days have this much light and laughter but Straker and Liza’s day was euphoric.
I’ve known Liza well since high school - back then she intimidated the heck out of me. She’s the kind of person who shows up and owns a room, who speaks her mind and doesn’t give a care in the world what other people think, who cares deeply for her tribe and who doesn’t let many into her inner circle. I couldn’t wait to meet the man who mirrored her vivacity and was not underwhelmed by Straker in the slightest. From the moment he bought me a coffee as we hashed out the details of their day I was smitten! I mean get infatuated with couples all the time, it’s hard not to when you’re such an intimate part of their wedding day but Straker and I REALLY clicked and any ounce of anxiety I had about shooting their wedding melted away. You know it's magic when the best man says, "you must have known Straker for years!" And you laugh because it sure feels that way.
Perhaps it is that we have the same no-nonsense attitude about details or that he was so excited and willing to take as many fun and creative pictures as I wanted to, but I was in awe of his energy and the way he showed his love to all of those who came to celebrate with him and his new bride.
Their vows made my eyes well up and I almost forgot I was supposed to be taking pictures as I wiped a tear away. (Cheesy I know!! But you would be crying too!). They spoke of the other in a way that would make anyone want to be in their shoes - that in love and devoted to someone else. The sparkle they spoke of was so real I tried my hardest to capture it in photographic form.
For the following week I tracked Straker’s progress like I would a dear friend and was beyond relieved when we learned he would pull through. I hope I have many more chances to steal Straker’s soul in this lifetime, or at least catch a glimmer of his sparkle.
Many pre-modern cultures believed that a photo could steal someone's soul. I work my darnedest at every wedding I shoot to capture people’s essence. All the parts that make them whole. The laughter, the seriousness, the tears the shouts and the murmurs.
Straker and Liza, so much love to you both! I hope these photos continue to bring you joy and hope! Enjoy this mini-photo-story of your day! xoxo
Venue: Tourterelle New Haven, VT | Florist: New Leaf Organics | Band: The Horse Traders | Engagement Ring: Cathy Waterman | Dress: Watters | Suit: Sam Tailor | Assistant Photographer: Dominique Powers
