Hiddenbrook Golf Club, Vallejo CA

Caitlin and Kevin
September 15, 2007

It took until about halfway through the first dance for me to realize how much I identified with Caitlin and Kevin. We spent more time than usual together shooting their E session at the Vacaville Fair, which meant more time to get to know them. And some aspects of their relationship do mirror mine; like how long they've been together and the sometimes rocky road they've traveled to get to a place of stability. Also many of the details of their wedding were how I would want mine to be--the personal vows, the music, the candy bar... (who needs dinner anyway when you've got a vase full of grape taffy and tootsie rolls?) ;)

As a result of this I found myself imagining my own wedding in some parts of theirs; such as when I stood, trying to hide my tears behind the camera, while the couple danced their first dance together (it didn't help either that the song was Five for Fighting's super sentimental "100 Years"). Or again near the end of the night, when Kevin surprised Caitlin by pulling out his guitar and serenading her with the "I Want to Grow Old With You" song from The Wedding Singer movie. Just two of many perfect moments that had a great impact on me.

I turn 30 in December, and I'm in that transitional period...still nostalgic about the excitement of my early twenties, an intensity born of naivete that can't be recaptured. Everything seemed much easier then. Values are changing too: where I once wanted to change the world, it can be hard not to feel somewhat pathetic now for being more interested in a nice comfy couch to sit on and a healthy savings account.

Yet what I saw at Caitlin and Kevin's wedding touched me deeply, reminding me that love and contentment are valid, and have their own purpose. As I drove home at the end of the night I felt happy to be alive, and grateful for the comfort and love that awaited me there.

A few shout outs: The incredibly gorgeous flowers were by Atalanta Jackson, Flowers by Atalanta. Seriously guys, I see a lot of flowers, and I was REALLY impressed by hers. Ceremony music was played beautifully on classical guitar by Jay Alvarez who, ironically, also played the ceremony music at Gabriela and Ron's wedding at the Martinelli center in Livermore last fall, although I didn't have a chance to say hi to him this time. And Caitlin's dress was from Gesinee's Bridal in Walnut Creek. Finally, Shannon, the event manager at Hiddenbrooke, was lovely to work with and very helpful to me throughout the day.

Some highlights:













Slideshow
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