Two and a half years ago, dad was in New York to photograph the fabulous wedding of Shannon and Duane.  It was one of dad’s favorite weddings!  The church was gorgeous, dad had lots of time to take the bride and groom around for pictures, the bride grabbed the mic for an impassioned rendition of “Ice, Ice Baby”at the reception, wedding crashers were invited in to come party with the family, and the bride and groom met up with dad just after sunrise the next morning to jump in a lake in their wedding attire!  But of course more importantly Shannon and Duane are kind, down-to-earth, fun people and dad really enjoyed spending time with them and their families.  He was happy when he got the news that they were expecting and we all got to meet Shannon when we were visiting New York and dad photographed her maternity session.  She had her session on a rooftop garden in Rockefeller Center where she worked and we even got a quick  tour of a few of the studios in the building!

When Shannon told us that her sister Jamie was getting married on a cruise, dad really wanted to be there to share in another important day for this family.  He felt very blessed when things worked out and he was able to join Jamie and Tommy and their close family and friends on a cruise to the Keys and Cozumel for the wedding!  Things were all set for the wedding day when the ship docked in the Keys, and then for more pictures the next day in Cozumel.  Then a week before the wedding, Jamie got the news that the ship was canceling the stop at Key West!  Mom says the email Jamie sent out says everything about what a wonderful couple Jamie and Tommy are.  They told everyone, “When life gives you lemons, add Tequila and head straight for Cozumel!”  Because everything was planned for that stop, Jamie and Tommy had to put everything together again for a wedding the following day at Cozumel.  It was wonderful to see how positive they were when many other couples would have let the stress bring them down.  Instead, Jamie, Tommy, and all of their guests squeezed those lemons and limes and it was Tequila time!

Shannon and Duane’s little girl has gotten so big!

Partying as the cruise begins:

The wedding day!

Jamie and Tommy walking around Cozumel with dad before the ceremony began:

The ceremony at a hotel in Cozumel:

Jamie had a nautical theme and the bridesmaids all carried beach balls instead of bouquets (much easier to get through customs than flowers!)

Khaki and navy are so pretty together.  The groomsmen wore navy shirts and khaki pants.

Enjoying the Mexican sun:

Jamie’s parents trying to get Tommy to behave himself during the garter removal:

Jamie and her dad taking a swim.  Mom thinks Jamie should have worn the flippers around the rest of the day!

Jamie and Tommy taking the plunge…literally!  Soon after this, almost everyone was in the water!

Mom’s favorite picture because she says it summarizes the day perfectly.  Beautiful and romantic, yet you can tell it was quite a party too!

Thank you so much to Jamie, Tommy, and their family and friends for having dad there to share in such an wonderful trip.  He had a blast and said everyone was terrific!  Congratulations newlyweds, and we hope your future holds all the happiness, beauty, love, and celebration that your wedding did!