Kelly + Michael - Glen Sanders Mansion, Albany, NY Wedding

I was six when he came into this world. Up until then I was an only child. He came along with these crazy blond curls, amazing eyelashes and dimples to boot. I didn't have a chance after that.

He was wild, crazy and as funny as heck. Despite our age difference, we find the oddest things funny, and laugh until we cry when re-telling stories of our crazy family.

Preface:

I was distracted to say the least. My girls were both in the wedding party.
So, it was an adventure just to get everyone ready and on time.

Child number two is screaming, someone has child number three (who I can't seem to locate) and child number one has not stop tapping my arm, "Mommy, this is soooo cute", "Mommy, Mommy, Mommy. MOMMY!" I was really trying to hold it together but I was clearly hanging on by just a thread. 

The wedding march began, and I took one look at my little brother and it all went to hell. I tried. I did, Mike. But it's impossible though to frame and have composition when you can't see a darn thing.

As the song goes, "...you gotta know when to hold 'em, know when to fold, know when to walk away..." so I put the camera down and just enjoyed being a Mom and a sister instead of being the 'photographer'. When your emotionally attached to the subject, you're bias. Nothing looks 'wrong' through the lens because the feeling feels so right.

Michael, I'm so proud of all that you have accomplished. Who would have thought the kid that was bumming out at my house for four months would have gotten to this point in three short years?! Your master's degree, your career, your home...your awesome wife!

I'm sure if Nani was here still, you would have found a bunch of 'Chiclets' (for those of you who don't know, it's a type of gum) in your honeymoon suite on your wedding night. Although she didn't leave the gum, she sure did have a hand in leaving you with the perfect wife for life. In fact, I'm sure of it.

Kelly, is perfect for you.

I. Love. Her.

So without further hesitation...here is a look at the ummm five pictures I captured of your big day. Sorry I suck. But, let me tell you, the memories I have from that evening will last me a lifetime and I'm forever  grateful for that. Thank you.

                                                                   

   Getting dolled up!

Finishing touches...

"Out of the Box' shot, love how my little girl is looking on...

          Father and son...

The men.

You may have seen this pose in a previous post.

I just like it. I think the men look distinguished in it.

My little bro...

Baby number 2, who took a running start before child number one was ready.

No flowers, no sister and saying "hiiiieeeeee (her favorite word), down the aisle.

She still got a round of applause.

It helps being cute!

'A' took her job very seriously.

Holding her flowers, getting down the aisle/steps and dropping petals...

It goes to show, that all girls multi-task quite well!

So I debated about posting this next series of shots.

Why?

Well, you see society has an image of men having to be 'macho' and of coarse

I didn't want to embarrass him.

But as I thought about it more and more, I don't think there is a girl in the world that wouldn't want to see a reaction like this from her husband.

   Complete raw overwhelming emotion.

   Michael's first look at Kelly descending down the aisle...

I can see why Michael.

What a vision...

This is where it all started to fall apart. As if we weren't all a mess before, they begin to read their own written vows!!! There wasn't a dry eye in the house when they were both over come by emotion while reading them. I was bawling at this point and couldn't keep the camera still. This next shot is out of focus but I wanted to include it anyway. It gets me choked up now, just looking at it.

     The folks...

Party time!

I'll close with prince charming and his beautiful new bride....

  Welcome to the family Kel.

 Thank you both for making my life so complete.

p.s.

If you want to see a more complete look of their day, check out the slideshow below for a peek!