Danielle and Cyler are two of the sweetest people I have met since starting my adventure as a photographer. Genuine, funny, loyal, polite, and loving, they almost seem unreal. Spend just five minutes in the same room with them and observe how they interact with not only each other, but everyone else in the room as well, and you will understand what I mean. I actually credit these two for my desire to photograph more weddings...because there is something about being around two people truly in love with one another that will brighten my own outlook on love within this world in a way that daily life is unable to. I know that Danielle and Cyler will continue to walk in faith through this life, spreading the word of God and all his glory...inspiring everyone they come in contact with to live life a little more freely, a little more stronger, a little more lovingly, and of course, with a lot more laughter!
Choosing photographs for their blog was especially tricky because I wanted to capture their emotions so perfectly to hopefully describe everything I felt when I was with them on their wedding day...the final picture in the incredibly long blog below perfectly sums up everything that Cyler and Danielle are to one another. I hope you enjoy the sparkle in Danielle's eyes when she looks at Cyler, Cyler's strength when he stands next to Danielle, and the way that their loved ones look at them from afar.
Just before leaving the hotel (slightly late!) for the ceremony, I could tell that Danielle was uncharacteristically quiet and antsy. I told her that we were going to sit down for a few and just take a couple of deep breaths, say a prayer if she wanted, and just bring the peace back into the moment. I admit, by this point, everyone was a little stressed trying to quickly pack up their bags, load the cars, find the car keys, figure out where all the bridesmaids were, and make it to the church on time. When I turned around after checking my gear (an excuse to give her a few moments to herself), I found myself staring at Danielle with her phone in her hand. She probably didn't even know I snapped this picture when I saw her but I just had to because for the first time all day she seemed like herself. Content, happy, calm, and at peace. When she looked up with a glowing smile on her face I asked what she was doing and she said, "just reading something Cyler wrote." It just goes to prove that the shoes and timeline, the pictures and the flowers are obviously important to a wedding day...but the most important thing on your wedding day is that you are making the decision to spend the rest of your life with someone who will always lift you up, be your best protector, your best friend, your best everything. The stuff will always come and go but the person you marry will be by your side for life. Thank you again Cyler and Danielle for asking me to photograph such an important day of your life.
