One of my favorite weddings from 2011 was that of Kelly and Aaron.  I had known Kelly for a few years and always loved being in her company.  She’s the kind of girl that when you meet her, you just know she’s good.  She’s kind, caring and she loves with a huge open heart.  For as long as I’ve known Kelly, I secretly hoped and prayed she would find her Prince Charming.  She was the girl who loved big and she deserved for someone to love her back in the same way.  Then along came Aaron :)

I was thrilled be asked to photograph their day.  It was one full of emotions…of love, of being thankful.  Just a few months before the wedding, Kelly’s oldest sister, Jen, was diagnosed with breast cancer and was in the middle of her chemo treatments.  I felt such a connection with their family during this time as the wedding took place two days before the 1 year anniversary of losing my own Aunt to breast cancer.  Jen was such a trooper all day and while I know she didn’t feel her best, the day was completely focused on Kelly and Aaron and how everyone in their families loves out loud.

One of my favorite pictures from the day….Kelly and family wore their pink bracelets in constant support of Jen.  She’s also wearing her twist tie “engagement” ring from Aaron.  Aaron had asked Kelly to marry him once before the official proposal, telling her the twisty ring would be her wedding ring ;)  When Kelly gave up her ring to have the wedding band created, she wore this one in it’s place :)

Our time was limited after the ceremony, so Aaron and Kelly opted for a first look.  Shortly after they said their hellos, they realized they had an audience lurking in the balcony!

Kelly hadn’t seen her ring and had NO idea what it was going to look like…Aaron designed the perfect set!

The day started off rainy but cleared to provide the perfect overcast blue cloudy sky.  Aaron had family friends that brought their antique car for photos…it so suits them, don’t you think?!

Kelly’s two oldest nieces literally GIGGLED the entire way down the aisle….what I didn’t show you was her youngest niece toddled in before them and cried the whole way until she got to her mom :)

Love this Air Force tradition!  Kelly got an unexpected tap on the backside from the sword on the left  as she passed through!

In the past couple of years, wedding party entrances have become a time to show a little personality.  Here, each couple came in and did a little dance or something else to get a quick laugh from the guests.  Jen and her groomsman surprised EVERYONE by lifting off her wig-I love how they took the moment and embraced the situation with a bit of humor (and check out middle sis Jaime’s face back in the doorway–no one had any idea this was coming!).

Oh, Aaron..always the showman :)  He did a little dance and sang along to “Foxy Lady” before he took off Kelly’s garter..he had us all rolling!!!

This was seriously one heck of a party.  One heck of a day.  One heck of a couple.

And I’m also happy to say that a year and a half later, Jen is CANCER FREE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Kelly and Aaron-I absolutely adore you guys.  Thanks for inviting me along on the journey-CONGRATS MR. & MRS. SPENCE!!!!!!!!!