And the best first wedding of the year that I could ask for: Racheal and Nathan...

Racheal and Nathan appealed to every part of me that loves people and weddings: true love, live acoustic music, huge amounts of love for family, willingness to go along with my somewhat silly requests, touching moments, smiles from the eyes...you get the idea. :)

But when you look at Racheal and Nathan, you can't help but see souls full of life, journeys lived with passion and kindness, and the ability to be unabashedly silly and laugh at my jokes (yay!). It's like winning the "wedding model lottery", espcially when you tie in how beautiful they both are.

On that chilly, first Saturday of January, here are the goodies that keep coming back to mind...

Nathan wore his father's watch on his wedding day (his father has passed), and his grandpa was his best man.

Again, that whole "laughing at my jokes" thing will get you far!

Ooh! The yummy cupcake tree that was quickly devoured by the guests...

The emotional slideshow played at the reception...not a dry eye in the whole place...

The connection the newlyweds have to each other-it was so evident in the communion-I was speechless...

Seeing how proud Racheal's daddy was of her...

Nathan's super-classy grandma! She was so pulled-together and stunning. I can only hope to be her when I grow up...

The family photo we grabbed after the ceremony! Can I just emphasize how cool this is? Everybody in the family, from both sides, me on a huge ladder and the big party/hug that is your family? LOVE it!

And the kindness, the genuine kindness both of them have, for each other and every person they come into contact with. It's inspirational, and makes me proud to not only be their photographer, but to know I get to be involved with genuinely good people. :)