NOTE: This will probably be the last post for a few weeks because my husband and I are taking a much-needed vacation to Italy, and then I will be traveling to San Diego for another wedding. Of course, I will have photos of our adventures, but those will come later!!! 🙂 So please note that I will be out of the office during this time and I will respond to any emails and phone calls when I’m back in the office in mid-May.
So anyway…. I’m torn between being speechless and wanting to ramble on and on about the amazingness that was Caitlin & Jeff’s wedding. As a wedding photographer, I would say I have a pretty good feel for what makes a wedding stand out from the rest. And in this case, what stood out with a blaring effect was their effort to putting their personalities in the wedding– from the details, the color palette and the personalized vows to the uncle who married them with an iPad in hand… the wedding was so THEM!!!
And in Caitlin & Jeff’s case, that is a good thing.
Add that to the fact that these two surround themselves by the friendliest, most fun and welcoming crew of friends and family… and I couldn’t have asked for more. Amber Cutler, a fellow Kansas City wedding photographer, was my sidekick for the day, and she and I gushed to one another time and again about the glow that was coming from the bride and groom AND from their friends!
I’m sure I will blab more later…but let’s get this party of a beautiful wedding started. (As you’ll see, Cait’s taste is impeccable…gives Anthropologie a run for its money…)
The pair opted for a first glance in the romantic graffiti-adorned alley next to the Hobbs Building. Cait & Jeff are so genuinely smitten for one another, that it’s like Amber said…”it’s palpable.”
Did you see it? The raw emotion in their eyes and their laugh. Man, it took some effort to not forget I was there to take photos instead of bawling like a baby watching a love scene in (insert your favorite romantic movie here.)
In Jeff’s words…these are a few of the reasons he loves Caitlin. I DARE you to not tear up.
“I love Cait’s passion for living; she takes in all the small things in life and relishes in them. I love her adventurous spirit, as she always is trying new things and convincing me to get out of my shell. I love her ridiculousness and carefree attitude–the way she thinks you should dance like no one is watching because really all that matters is that you’re happy! And lastly I love how truly loved she makes me feel. Never before have I felt this loved and accepted in my life. I know she loves me flaws and all. Truly.”
In Cait’s words…these are a few of the reasons she loves Jeff. (And she noted that the reasons really are innumerable…)
“Jeff has the most mischievous, wicked smile that always makes me to want to kiss him and find out what he’s thinking about. I love the way he holds me because it makes me feel so cherished, comfortable and simply loved. 🙂 He dances with me anywhere…in the grocery store, in the kitchen, at Target. Few people humor me and my random ideas like he does, and that makes everything even more fun and memorable. He makes me smile and feel like I’m sparkling on the inside, which is one of the BEST feelings in the world.”
So is it any surprise that their friends are just as vibrant and fun? (And great sports when it’s sooo windy and their skirts and ties are blowing crazily around!!)
And they brought CONFETTI! Which I LOVED…but I loved the chimp-like behavior that happened AFTERWARDS even more. 😉
Can I get an Ooooh-eee-ahhh-ahhh? Or a banana? Anyone?? Anyone?
Let me take a moment to tell you about their ceremony. One of the few things I feel so strongly about when it comes to personalizing weddings (from the point of view of a past bride who did this, from the point of view of a guest who loves when this is done and from the point of view of a photographer who gets to document the emotion when it happens…) is to WRITE YOUR OWN VOWS. If your officiant will allow you to (and you don’t HAVE to get rid of the traditional ones, you can supplement them!!) then I promise on everything I am that you will evoke true emotion from not only the one you’re marrying, but those there who are witnessing the occasion.
Cait & Jeff did two sets of vows… one from Dr. Seuss (something like these) and ones they wrote on their own. One set had us all giggling and the other had us choking up. Now THAT is a ceremony worth attending!!!
With every look between them, there was adoration, sweetness and pure joy.
What’s more to love was that the bridal party were awesome fans…they did the wave and hooted when they were excited. Much to everyone’s continued amusement, the passing train did a “hooo-hoooo” as well!
And then the touches throughout… (many of which I hear were put together by Cait’s step-mom…who ROCKED it!!)
My love for cheerful colors and vintage-modern details made my heart go batty!!
The dance was pure craziness. I think Amber & I got whip lash trying to keep up with all the shenanigans that were going on at every turn.
Don’t ask. Seriously. Because I have NO idea how to answer….
CAITLIN & JEFF (And their family and friends…)–thank you for reminding me of EVERY reason I love weddings and love and people IN love. Your wedding, from beginning to end, is gush-worthy. I can only hope these photos enable you to relive at least HALF of the wonderfulness of your special day. Best wishes to you as you embark on whatever ridiculous adventures come your way. 😉 xo
Kansas City vendors of note who made all of the above complete:
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Florist–BecoflowersCakery–Classic CakesCaterer–Feasts of Fancy (resident caterer for the Hobbs Building)DJ–John Cissell
