Warm, moisture-filled hands.
Heavy lashes blinking, from that extra layer of the lash glue.
Tears trying to roll down the sides of the cheekbones.
Shaky fingers.
The sound of an abnormally fast heart beat.
One that you don’t recognize, but it turns out to be your own.
Your loved ones. All around you. Looking at you. Waiting for you.
Friends, I’ve attended and photographed countless weddings. I have experienced more weddings than the average person. And many of them I have been fortunate enough to spend time with the bride and groom prior to the wedding.
And without a doubt, there’s always nerves involved. So many nerves.
Which is MORE than understandable. I’ve never been married, but I imagine I’d be a hot mess of a pile of nerves.
It always goes from all the nerves pre-ceremony, then as soon as that’s over, it’s celebration time.
I find so often that brides attempt to hold in their emotions for fear that they’ll cry and mess up their makeup and everyone will be looking at them, watching mascara running down the sides of their faces.
But do you want to know something that’s even more beautiful than any amount of makeup can create?
Genuine, raw, emotion.
Feelings.
Ladies, my biggest piece of advice to you is to allow yourself to feel your day. Your moment.
Stop being so scared of tears.
We all cry. Some try to hide it more than others, but there’s no reason to.
THIS IS YOUR DAY!!! Your wedding doesn’t come around very often, and the biggest favor you can do for yourself is to allow yourself to feel. To live through your feelings and emotions.
Even if that means tears, even if that means nervous laughter, even if that means a big huge smile plastered on your face.
Let it happen. Allow yourself to love. Allow yourself to be present in the moment.
This is your day, beautiful. And I will capture every tear that you shed, every emotion you feel, and every piece to your forever.
xoxo
