RIO VISTA WINERY WEDDING | Jay Eads Photography

I can’t possibly write eloquently enough to explain how much I love this wedding, or this couple. Lisette and her family have been a part of our family for years… we share the day after thanksgiving together, she is my 5 year old son’s best friend (ask either of them), and she is half of my daughter’s namesake. I have photographed her family, her sister’s senior portraits, countless shoots for fun, and I couldn’t have been more honored to have her ask to photograph her wedding. That’s what I thought, until she asked if my kids could be the flower girl and the ring bearer. I knew I was going to lose it at this one, and my emotions did not disappoint. The first look, the first dance, the father daughter dance, the speeches… I cried at all of them. My wife cried as we looked through the images on the couch. I’m hoping you cry, even if you don’t know them. FYI, it is basically the same crew as this wedding, another favorite.

Some highlights: They danced so hard they lost power… but the group singing of Queen, lit by iPhones was just as memorable. The love these girls have for each other is undeniable. The tears when her dad saw her the first time. The wedding started with lightning the night before, and my wife and daughter stayed up with me until 4:30am, and I secretly wished we would get more lightning the night of the wedding for a nice set of bookmarks. I got my wish. Enjoy.

Words of Advice from the Bride: Planning a wedding can be daunting. Rather than letting yourself become anxious and overwhelmed by your mile-long checklist, try to embrace it. Just like your wedding day, the experience of planning the most exciting and meaningful celebration of your life also only happens once. Make those long hours spent addressing each of your invitations by hand (I don’t regret it!) into memories, not the cause of your bridal meltdown.