MICHELLE & JOE

Married | The View On The Hudson, Piermont, NY

To wrap up 2016, I had the privilege of witnessing the marriage of two awesome fellow Rutgers CSA’ers whom I had the pleasure of meeting during my college years. Michelle and Joe celebrated the sacrament of marriage on a perfect winter day and we were even blessed with a dusting of snow RIGHT during the end of our portrait session! The whole day was a blast, but the photos from those few minutes are epic! Between the expressions of pure shock and joy that were on all of our faces when the wind blew in the flurries, to the quieter, intimate moments revealing the love they share, the day was one that will go down as a truly beautiful and magical affair.

I share a special place in my heart for Michelle and Joe’s love story because it is so similar to mine and Joe’s. It all started when they first met each other on a Catholic Student Association retreat at Rutgers. I think it is fairly obvious to say that the retreat focus was more on “finding/growing in your relationship with God” rather than “finding your spouse,” so Michelle and Joe simply regarded their newfound acquaintance without thinking a ton of it until they were constantly bumping into each other around campus! (I love all the mysterious ways that God works.) Shortly after, they both joined in on a group of friends going on a swing dancing date. Not only did they enjoy swinging, but they stayed partners with each other the entire night! Their chemistry was undeniable and from that moment on they were “Michelle & Joe.”

It was such a joy to photograph Michelle and Joe on this milestone in their life. The bridal party were champs, especially the girls in their gowns and stoles in the cold weather! I have to say probably the cutest moment of the day was during the reception when the flower girls thought they were in Elsa’s castle from Frozen. And who might Elsa be… Michelle of course! She even flaunted the gorgeous curled side braid like Elsa. The DJ took this moment to another level when he played the Frozen theme song and all the girls were running around the dance floor singing with (or to) Michelle who was their snow queen! You have to see the photos. So precious!

Here are some highlights from the day. Enjoy!