Weddingbee Blog

The wedding party and our families gathered beneath the tree in the side yard. Our candid “photo session” produced more frame-worthy photos than I had hoped for.

(Mark Hayes Photography)

With 80% of my “bridal brigade”:

(guest photo)

Mr. Husky and his brother:

(Mark Hayes Photography)

Filling the groomsmen’s flasks:

(Mark Hayes Photography)

Me with my dad:

(Mark Hayes Photography)

Mr. Husky with my dad:

(Mark Hayes Photography)

Me and Mr. Husky with his dad, brother and uncle:

(Mark Hayes Photography)

MOH Husky and BM-K in animated conversation:

(Mark Hayes Photography)

An emotional embrace between me and Mama Husky:

(Mark Hayes Photography)

The first of many times MOH Husky (also my sister) said to Mr. Husky, “Brothers don’t shake hands - brothers gotta hug!”

(Mark Hayes Photography)

The joining of families - FIL Husky with Mama & Step-Husky:

(Mark Hayes Photography)

The ladies attempted to bustle my gown:

(Mark Hayes Photography)

I monitored their progress:

(Mark Hayes Photography)

They finally found all those pesky buttons and hidden loops:

(Mark Hayes Photography)

There was laughter:

(Mark Hayes Photography)

(Boot) Glasses raised in celebration:

(Mark Hayes Photography)

Infectious joy:

(Mark Hayes Photography)

In the time that has passed since the wedding, I have only become more confident in my decision to forgo formal portraits and use the time between the ceremony and reception to capture these brief, beautiful moments. But for the sake of honesty, I will admit that we were convinced to pose for one family photo:

(Mark Hayes Photography)

Some of Mr. Husky’s family (now my family!) had requested a group photo with all members in attendance. We obliged - but before I get called out as a hypocrite, I need to explain. The folks in that photo above come from all over the country. Among the states represented above: Texas, Alaska, California, Colorado, Oregon, Ohio, and Iowa. It had been several years since that many of them were together, and it will likely be many years until it happens again. So we all gathered together and smiled at the camera.

I will also say that the experience of capturing this single group photo only further reiterated my reasons for not wishing to have more of them. It took a minimum of 20 minutes to gather all of the family together and have everyone stand still while the photographer clicked away. I am happy to have this photo, but if we had to spend 20 minutes on each variation of a family photo, I don’t know how we would have found the time to enjoy our reception.

*All photos in this post courtesy of Mark Hayes Photography, unless otherwise noted.

Previous episodes:

• We hugged it out with family & friends.
• We vowed our love and traded rings.
• FIL-Husky performed our ceremony.
• I improvised traditions.
• Step-Husky spoke.
• I walked the plank.
• Almost time!
• The ladies beautified.
• We rehearsed.
• We unloaded and assembled.
• Someone unplugged the fridge.
• The music played.
• We honeymooned.