This weekend I was honored to be a bridesmaid at a wedding for one of my dearest and closest friends from High school, Allison. Since I started my business I hadn’t been “just” a bridesmaid, or a guest at a wedding.

Packing piece by piece in my grey roller suitcase I reminisced to my Senior prom. Allison and I had planned our dream prom night. We were going with a bunch of friends and planned to meet at a certain time to take a stretch Hummer to dinner Yeah… we’re classy. She called me frantic half an hour before we were supposed to meet. “Mekina! My hair looks like a mushroom! I need you to fix it! PLEASE!” I laughed and immediately met up with her to touch up her gorgeous locks.

Allison and I had found our dream dresses at the same place, we got our make up done, had handsome dates and after some adjusting had picturesque hair. Everything was coming together and all the planning of what our prom was supposed to be was about to happen. Well, believe it or not we made it on time to the Hummer and took hundreds of pictures before loading in. All I remember is everyone’s parents, including my own snapping away. I think we stayed in the same pose for 25 minutes going from one end of camera flashes to the other. My date was specific about my corsage matching my dress. One of the Mom’s was adamant about having our picture in front of the fire place. Another parent wanted photographs in front of the Hummer. I wanted just girl pictures and just guy pictures. A picture with each person and well just a whole lot of pictures! I think you catch my drift. It wasn’t all about Allison and I and what we wanted for our prom but also what our parents and dates wanted. It was about the overall experience of being with so many close friends all dressed up in one place.

I stuffed the last dress I could fit into that grey suit case without it bursting and decided I couldn’t go without my camera either. Without a second of hesitation I placed my equipment into my adorable Kelly Moore bag and slipped in the heels I was debating, zipped tightly and headed out the door.

Allison’s wedding was a dream. There was no hair crisis, and the weather was perfect. The flowers were exactly as Allison had envisioned and everyone had arrived on time. Allison was a beautiful bride and she had a pretty rocking wedding party if I do say so myself. It was rather emotional but we made it through the vows, toasts and parent dances with minimal sniffles and faces full of smiles. It was all about the bride and groom, but it was also about their families, friends and coming together in one place to celebrate their love for each other. Honestly, being “just” a bridesmaid this weekend connected me in a different way to how I hope to connect with future brides and grooms. I want to know the most important people in the lives of the couples I photograph so I can best capture the love they share, both with each other and with their friends and families.

Sparingly I drew out my camera throughout the weekend and captured a few photographs of what I love… people surrounded by love. 🙂

Even during the rehearsal, Allison’s dad was as precious as could be as he practiced giving his little girl away. 

The Heafner ladies, welcoming Allison to the club! 

JOY! they’re almost married! Hooray!

Groggy from just waking up, the realization of Allison’s wedding day set in. Allison began grinning, rolled over and while she didn’t get much sleep do to all the anticipation, she was more ready than ever to become a wife. Allison and Kolby had decided to write letters to each other the morning of their wedding invitation. Allison wants to frame them and keep them as a reminder of what they promised to one another on their wedding day.

Before the real hustle and bustle of the wedding day began, we relaxed, enjoyed mimosas, jumped on the bed and hugged on each other. 🙂         
Love these Lanka girls!

In a matter of hours Allison’s day became a cherished memory for all her family and friends.  What a beautiful, precious day we got to spend with one another. I feel so honored to have captured little moments throughout the weekend but also truly thankful to have experienced and been a part of these memories as a bridesmaid.