Buffalo Wedding Photography » Modern, Photo-journalistic Wedding and Event Photography by Jenn and Ben Ayres, husband and wife creative photography team based out of Buffalo, NY.

There are really no words I can say to express how we feel about Christine and Rick. I’ve been sitting here for at least an hour, staring at the blinking cursor, trying to put into words what it meant to us to be a part of their wedding day, but nothing I come up with really does it justice. When we first met Christine and Rick, we were psyched. They were totally laid back and very sweet as they sat there talked to us about the vision they had for their wedding day. They wanted the day to be all about love, friends, family, and having an awesome time – exactly the kind of couple we always hope to work with. When they officially booked us, we were super happy to have yet another amazing couple on board for our 2011 wedding season. As time went on, however, and we spent some time getting to know them, we were kind of floored. Christine is actually one of the kindest, most selfless, thoughtful people I have ever met. She is also an incredibly strong and courageous woman, and I admire her deeply for that. Rick is also extremely kind and thoughtful. He is one of those rare people in this world who can show that he cares about you as a fellow human being, just by looking at you. How many people do you know who can do that? He is full of life, is always smiling, and seems like he has the gift of seeing the “good” in every situation in life. It’s easy to see how much they love each other, how perfect they are together, and that they will absolutely take care of each other for the rest of their lives. It was an honor for us to document their wedding day, but it was even more of an honor to have gotten to know them over the past year.

In keeping with my new blog feature, I had Christine and Rick submit their Top Five Favorite Wedding Day Memories, so I will definitely be sharing those throughout the post, but Christine also wrote a sort of “overview” of the day that I would like to share first, before I start blabbering on about these images.  Sadly, Christine’s father passed away recently…just a few months after their wedding.  Here’s the story that she wanted to share:

“These pictures and the day itself have become even more special to me. This day was really the last happy memories we have of my dad. He was determened to walk me down the aisle and he did. I remember when he first saw me, he burst in to tears and kept saying, ‘oh wow, oh wow’ so much so, I had to tell him to stop! I know he was honored to give me away to an amazing man. He loved Rick and knew he would always be the one to take care of me. He had a blast at the wedding, and was so proud of his “father of the bride” title!  The Wizard of Oz was mine and my dad’s favorite movie, so it was a given that ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow’ by Judy Garland would be our father/bride dance (again he cried and I had to stop him!)  He LOVED the idea of inviting all the father and daughters on the dance floor with us to Stevie Wonder’s, ‘Isn’t She Lovely,’ the song he said he’d sung to me as a baby.  Another special moment was right as the ceremony ended.  They say rain is good luck but let’s be honest, nobody wants a rainy wedding day!  So just my luck, I break my toe the day before AND I wake up to rain!!  If you know me, it wouldn’t have been right if something didn’t go wrong.  Anyway, with the rain on and off throughout the morning, it was that one magical moment where I was taken a back.  As we finished the ceremony we were walking back down the aisle, right on cue the clouds seemed to disappear and the sun came out. I knew right then and there, my mom was looking down on us and gave us that sunshine.  There is no doubt in my mind.  Rick and I wanted our guests to have the best night. Thats all that mattered to us. With all the smiles, laughs and dancing that I remember, I know we were successful in making it a fun night for everyone. We feel so lucky to have the people in our lives that we do. We are forever grateful for being able to share such a special day to us, with all of them.”

Words cannot express how happy we are to have captured such beautiful memories, for such wonderful people.  :)

I started out the day with all the ladies at Christine and Rick’s house.  It was super calm and anxiety free…I had a great time capturing the “getting ready” process!
Christine had a fabulous team from Capello Salon doing her hair and make up.  They did an awesome job!  One of Christine’s Top Five:  ”Spending the morning getting ready with my bridesmaids!”I love this shot of Christine getting on the limo.  The hilarious man holding the umbrella was the limo driver.  It always proves difficult to get a shot of the bride getting on the limo without the driver weaseling his way into the photo.  I understand their job is to take care of the bride, but jeeeeeeez.  Well, I guess he’s forever a part of their wedding day memories….wish I could remember his name.  I’m sure I’ll see him around next summer.  ;)Then, we headed on over to St. Peter and Paul for the ceremony!  We loooooove shooting at this church.  It’s right in the Village of Hamburg, literally two minutes from where we live, and it’s always cool to shoot in your “hood.” How cute are these children?!  I actually included two shots of them because they’re just that cute.Two more of Christine’s Top Five:  ”Having my Dad walk me down the aisle,” and “Seeing Rick’s face at the altar.”  One of Rick’s Top Five:  ”Watching Christine walk down the aisle with her Dad.”  :)  It really was a beautiful and emotional moment.  It’s really a good thing that I had a big camera in front of my face during the whole thing…seriously.  (You can actually see me in the next photo with said camera in front of my face, and my weird knobby knees, but I love the shot.)

Some priests ask the bride and groom to write letters to each other before the wedding day, and he shares them during his homily.  I love it when they do that!  It really personalizes the ceremony.  Christine and Rick’s priest had them do this, and he shared a story about their first date that was both heartwarming and hysterical.  ;)
After the ceremony, we headed over to the little park across the street from the church to do some family photos, and a few shots of our gorgeous bride and groom.  As Christine mentioned, it had been raining all day, but literally when we walked out of the church, it stopped and the sun came out.  It was perfect.  We got to hit up the old-style trains in the Village for some wedding party shots (which I LOVE), and then we made a super quick stop at the Bills’ Stadium at Rick’s request.  ;)
These were so much fun to shoot…such a great group of people!More Top Five Wedding Day Memories!!  Christine:  ”Walking into the venue and seeing everything set up for the first time.”  Rick:  ”The candy buffet!!”  (LOL!!)  Yes, Rick…the candy buffet was pretty sweet.  I loved that they had baby pictures in frames on every cocktail table – that was such a great idea!Christine made those gumdrop trees herself.  Isn’t she crafty?!  They were so cute.  ;)This is honestly the most serious cake smash I’ve ever seen.  She looks so determined!!All three of these dances were just beautiful.  We both loved capturing these moments!Christine and Rick very wisely booked DJ Eric Volk, who is (in our opinion) hands down, the best wedding DJ in the area.  If you can get him – DO IT!!  It will be one of the best vendor decisions you make.  You are guaranteed an awesome dance floor experience.  Just ask Christine and Rick…they’ll tell you.  ;)

More Top Five Wedding Day Memories!!  Christine:  ”Rick’s grandparents dancing to Notorious B.I.G.’s Juicy!”  Rick:  ”Dancing to ‘Hey Baby’ with all my college friends (that was the song we always played when we went out together at school)!”

We did manage to sneak out for a few quick night shots in the parking lot.  It’s amazing what a few lights and some colored gels can do to a parking lot…I love these!!!

Christine and Rick’s advice:  ”Remember to make the day about the two of you. Do whatever you want, whenever you want.  Listen when people tell you it goes by fast because, IT DOES!!  So be sure to take a step back and soak it all in.  And lastly, Rick’s words of wisdom….’Have a blast on the dance floor…its the only time you can act like an idiot and get away with it.’ ”

Christine and Rick – I know I said a lot already, but again, we want you to know how truly grateful we are to have been a part of your day. It was amazing! We love you both, and wish you all the happiness in the world! You deserve it. J + B :)