MICHELE & BOBBY

I can’t stop thinking about all the perfection and happiness from Michele and Bobby’s wedding! Seriously, a Renaissance inspired Catholic church that looks like it’s straight out of Italy, French country reception vibes complete with tons of florals, greenery, lemons, lavender and blue and white patterned chinoiserie jars, a gorgeous and head-over-heels in love couple who were crazy on the dance floor and friends and family from all over who rocked it with the band all night long. I literally could. not. get. enough. Not only that, but their families were the sweetest people you could meet and made me feel like part of the family immediately. #dreamwedding here, people.

The girls started their morning in the French blue floral PJ’s getting their hair and makeup done, interjected with the occasional flash mob dance and breakfast break together. We eventually made our way upstairs to cheers with some champagne, capture the “obligatory PJ pic” and officially begin the day’s festivities. The girls gathered on the front balcony where Michele unintentionally popped the champagne’s cork into the trees and I think that was the perfect illustration of what was to come for the rest of the day. Every moment was filled with sky-high joy and excitement (and surprise).

While we were setting up for the first look I gave Michele the run down of what to expect and then quickly headed over to Bobby to prepare him, which was absolutely necessary because he was so surprised when I came up behind him he thought I was Michele and I think I made his stomach flip over for a second! After a huge deep breath we continued with the first look to his real wife and it couldn’t have been more perfect (except for the hilarious moment when we realized Michele had just informed Bobby that his fly was down). No one had noticed, but I’m glad we cleared that up before the family portraits and the look on Bobby’s face was priceless.

The church was bursting at the seams, standing room only. It all made sense because Bobby is the principal at St. Catharine’s school and is adored by all. One of the classes came in their uniforms and sang a song for them before the Liturgy of the Eucharist and one of the 8th grade girls was the cantor for mass. It was the most precious thing to see all these sweet kids performing for Bobby and Michele! But, as Msgr. put it, as much of a joyful day it was there was also a twang of somberness as Michele “was about to break the hearts of every second grade girl at St. Catharine’s.” Everyone got a laugh out of that once.

Mass was followed by a few more portraits in the grassy fields of The Spring Lake Golf Club before cocktail hour and then entry into photography bliss as we began to capture the reception details. I couldn’t get enough of the set up that Michele and Kate came up with. Round and long tables interspersed in the outdoor tented area with towering vases of white Gladiolus paired with lower arrangements of white, greens and yellows. Lemons accented all the tables and the long tables were adorned with greenery runners, lavender sprigs and coral cabbage roses. It was beyond perfection. To top it off, topiaries and chinoiserie jars were added to the remaining space on the table and it basically made me want to just sit there and stare at its beauty for the rest of the night.

But there was certainly no time for sitting, especially once the newlyweds were announced on the dance floor. They kicked off the night with a first dance to Wake Me Up, and then invited the rest of the guests onto the dance floor for a faster paced version that had everyone (especially her brothers) losing their minds and breaking out their best dance moves. This continued for a good half hour before we sat back down for speeches.

I cannot say enough about how amazing the bride and groom’s families are, but it was readily apparent in the heartfelt and charismatic speeches of their sisters, parents and friends. This wedding day was truly one for the books and I’m pretty sure it will go down as the best night of their lives. I’m so incredible happy for Michele and Bobby and I wish them the best of the best in the years ahead. Congratulations you two!!