Wedding Location: The Pinery in Colorado Springs

This wedding is not like any other wedding.

It was not just another day of preparation or anticipation, it was not just another day of another couple saying their vows or throwing a party to celebrate that fact... and this is not just another blog post from just another wedding photographer.

No, it is and was, more than that. I will never forget this wedding because it is the only wedding I have photographed where I had to wipe my own tears from my camera's viewfinder.

When Courtney and I met for the first time at our wedding consultation I immediately liked her. Now, even though I have had the most amazing clients, to my best efforts I don't always connect as deeply with some as I'd like.. but with Courtney.. I just was drawn to her incredibly humble and inviting smile, and a sweetness that you can't help but just feel connected to. 

During our second meeting a few months later I was SO excited to hear about all the creativity and style she had planned for the wedding..... But something was different about Courtney at this meeting... she was much more reserved. I wanted to ask why, but I didn't want to overstep my professional boundries and pry into her personal life more than I had already.

As I was thinking this thought Courtney opened up...

 "My father has lung cancer", she said. "he hasn't smoked a day in his life, and now he only has a few months to live".

Now, at this moment I was stunned. I was fishing violently for the right words in my head to say. I had this label of wedding photographer plastered to me but I really wanted to just be a friend to her and reach over and hug her. But some people are not the huggable types and can get very uncomfortable with strangers touching them... but now looking back I think I should have just taken that risk. 

In the months leading up to her wedding Courtney informed me that she may just cancel the event all together. She didn't want to plan a wedding and possibly plan a funeral at the same time.

Now, any of you former brides out there can only imagine Courtney's situation. When most brides imagine their wedding day, they imagine 2 things. Seeing their groom for the first time, and being given a way by their father.

Those are the most incredible moments of the entire wedding process, and one of those moments for Courtney was potentially not ever going to happen.

But the beauty of this whole story is that.... it did.

Courtney decided to move forward with the wedding despite the odds and her father's will to give his daughter away on her wedding day was stronger than any cancer that was overcoming his body. Maybe the very idea of seeing Courtney as a bride enjoying such a gorgeous wedding kept him alive.

Come the day of the wedding Courtney's father had made it, but he was fading fast. He was weak, confined to a wheelchair and his life depended on various nurses and machines. 

As the music filled the room, the audience of Courtney and Andrew's family stood to welcome Courtney down the isle. The doors opened to reveal Courtney and her standing father..... standing, and walking her down the isle.

It was a slow pace, but I am sure Courtney didn't mind. They were was savoring this time together.

It was then, I took the hem of my shirt and wiped my viewfinder of my tears. The love in the room was overwhelming, everyone was moved with emotion.

Just a couple weeks later, Courtney's father lost his battle with cancer and went to a place where he is no longer in pain... and what a beautiful thought it is to think that some of his very last memories are of walking his daughter down the isle to a man who will now take care of her, and how wonderful she looked on that perfect day in September.

love her! :)

:)

I just loved these bridesmaids, what an amazing entourage Courtney surrounded herself with.

Gorgeous flowers! Also done by The Pinery

Courtney and her Father

Andrew was such a wonderful groom, patient, kind and treated Courtney like a queen. Incredible guy.

i will never forget this moment as a wedding photographer

And they are married!

I LOVED the that the bridesmaids dresses had pockets! Courtney found them out at Something New Boutique.

Courtney and Andrew love movies and tv shows... how fitting to make them table numbers!

CUTE!

The photobooth was PACKED the whole night.. great idea.

:)

Thank you Andrew, Courtney and your incredible families for such a wonderful opportunity to witness your love for one another, but also for being able to be a part of such a beautiful and touching story.

May you both, and all the memories of your father, live happily ever after....