You are in for a treat!  Our last wedding of 2010 was an incredibly, beautiful destination wedding in Cancun.  The only things more beautiful than the destination are the couple, Lee and Russell, and their wonderful families.  I showed up to this wedding and received some sweet southern comfort!  Lee and her folks are from the great state of Alabama and Russell’s a Colorado guy.  I was welcomed with the biggest open arms, hugs, kisses, you name it.  I can see where Lee gets her sweetness.

Cause you see, Lee is the  kind of girl who, when you see her from across the room, winks at you.  Yeah.  That kind of sweet.  And she says words like darlin’ and fixin’.  She’s got the biggest smile I’ve ever seen and just makes you feel like the most special person when she talks to you.  Russell, on the other hand, is hilarious.  The kind of guy who laughs at himself and cracks these subtle, sarcastic jokes under his breath.  He has this cute laughter, almost a nervous laughter, that follows him around.  And I’m sure he’s cracking a joke right now as he reads my description.  :-)

The best part about this wedding was leaving Mexico feeling like a part of Lee and Russell’s family.  I had made friends with every single person on the guest list and I’m pretty sure I knew them all by name.  And it was that guestlist that made the wedding what it was.  I told Lee at their Reveal, “Even if your wedding was local, I can’t think of a better way to end the 2010 wedding season.”  And that’s because everyone was so connected.  They were so loving.  So excited for Lee-Lee and Russell.  So welcoming. So fun!

L&R, thank you so much for allowing me to be a part of this occasion.  It was perfect.  You are perfect.  I love you!

With joy,
René

Lee had the most exquisite dress and shoes to match!

I loved this moment when Lee’s sweet grandmother walked in the salon. She instantly welled up when she saw Lee.

These pearls were given to Lee’s grandmother by Lee’s grandfather after WWII.

Coming from a girl whose Nana means a lot to her, this shot could be my favorite from the day.

Their first look was so good…

Ugh, I love these two people!

…and these shoes. :-)

Oh Lee-Lee, you are one of the most beautiful people I’ve ever met – inside and out!

Love these reactions from their friend Jeff.  I think he was the first person to see her come around the corner.

Do you see Lee’s Nana on the left?  I asked her what she was looking forward to most about the day and she simply and sweetly said, “Just seeing my granddaughter get married!”  And you can tell the day meant so much to her…

Pretty sure there’s a bride and groom in there. :-)

Can I just take this next photo to tell you a little bit about why I love my job?  These four sweet souls below are all single.  None of them are married.  But widows and widowers.  This photo has been taken before.  Many times it’s been taken before, I’m sure of it.  Except, before there were four other people present.  Yes, these people and their spouses, have been the best of friends for many, many years.  Half of them have since passed away, yet they’ve still stuck together.  This is love, you guys.

When I heard their story, I just had to make a portrait of them.

Lee and her brother: