Over the last few weeks I’ve hemmed and hawed over this post. How do you sum up an entire year in a single blog post? I felt as though it would be impossible to accurately communicate the depth of my gratitude to every amazing client and vendor we had the honor of working with. I thought about the key things that made this year such an incredible one and really, when all was said and done it was not about epic weddings, gorgeous gowns, or details that were to die for. It was about all the moments in between. The tears, the smiles, the laughs. Capturing those things is exactly what made this year a successful one for us. So, instead of posting our favorite images because, let’s be honest, there is no way I’d be able to narrow it down to less than 200,I decided to choose some of my favorites moments from this year. That was hard enough but I think I’ve narrowed it down to my top 10.

1. Eby’s processional
There wasn’t a dry eye to be found as Eby gracefully made her way down that long garden aisle to her groom as Ella Fitzjeralds “at last” played over the sound system. It was a moment that a lot of people had been waiting for and it was one of the ost beautiful in all my days of photographing weddings. I was so, so honored ot capture this wedding of my dear friends and watching Eby walk towards Jacques was one of my high points. It was a moment I’ll never forget.

2. Be our guest
Never have I seen so many people enchanted all at once except for when I was at Disneyworld itself. Dawn Events pulled off a spectacular event with Rebekka and Mikkel’s Disney themed wedding and as numerous actors and actresses led guests through an enormous castle to the Grand Dining Hall, all while singing “Be our guest”, I swear you could feel a kind of magic that Mr. Walt himself would have been proud of.

3. Abby walking down the aisle
Every bride I’ve ever known is both nervous and excited to walk down the aisle. Sometimes this results in a few sweet tears, sometimes in a huge smile. But for my dear bride, Abby, she just couldn’t keep it all to herself. She walked down the aisle at the gorgeous Crane Estate proclaiming “Ahhh!!! I’m getting married right now!”, “Hi Mom! Mom, I’m getting married!!”, and more. Beyond excited to be wed to her handsome groom in one of the most beautiful wedding venues outside of Boston, Abby was hilarious as she made her way towards him. After realizing how she was reacting, many of her guests switched their cameras from the picture function to video. She brought a smile to everyone’s face because her excitement was undeniable.

4. Jason flying in
I have very little to say here except….why wouldn’t a groom flying into his ceremony on a helicopter NOT make the top 10 moments of 2011? Epic.

5. Kimberly’s dad
There are few things as sweet on a wedding day as observing how a dad responds to giving his little girl away to another man. This family was no exception and helped me remind me, once again, why I do what I do. As Kimberly made her way down the stairs of her childhood home to see her dad for he first time, he couldn’t hold back to tears. The first of four daughters to get married, he was so proud to be handing her over to a man that he both loved and respected. This was such a sweet, sweet moment.

6. Michael and Leah’s first touch
There are absolutely no words to describe how powerful this moment was when, after 4 months of dating, Michael and Leah touched for the very first time as he slipped that wedding ring on her finger. Such a powerful, powerful moment!

7. Michele dancing with her brother
Michele had her brother both walk her down the aisle and dance with her, as her father passed away a couple years ago. This was an extremely emotional moment for their entire family, but such a special moment when her brother took her hand and led her to the floor as they swayed together to “Dance with my father again”.

8. Keith’s brothers speech
Coming from a large Italian family, I can appreciate when siblings have a really close bond. Keith’s brother was his best man and gave a very sentimental toast to him during their wedding. It was both sweet and emotional but, more importantly, very genuine and heartfelt.

9. Harrison waiting at the end of the aisle
There are no words for how much I adore Jocelyn and Harrison. If I had favorites they would definitely be in the top few clients of all time because they are just so special and amazing. Their wedding day started rather chaotically but time stood still as Jocelyn made with way down the aisle towards her best friend and the love of her life. The look on Harrison’s face proves that every chaotic moment that they ever have or will go through is totally worth it, as long as his best friend is by his side.

10. Derek and Christine dedicating Sophia
Derek and Christine were such an awesome couple to work with, for many reasons, but one of the things I loved most about them was that their sweet daughter Sophia was a huge part of their wedding. During the ceremony they dedicated Sophia and spent some time focusing on the beauty of life and the happiness she brought them. It was definitely a special moment.