Wedding photos of Nate & Nikki

Warning: LONG post.

It’s not often that I get to shoot for a family member.  This was the closest family member I have – my brother!  He was born 2 yrs after me and we grew up very close.   Nate told me he was getting married August 15th and I told him he wasn’t!  We had a wedding that day (great fun too!) and I told him he HAD to move it.  So he called me an hour later and said “Ok, it’s August 1st…right?”  “Yep!  That works.”

Fast forward to the week before the wedding.  Sarah and I took the kids to Maine and had a mini-vacation.  Yes, this is one reason we’re running a little behind on blogging and editing.  We helped setup the tents, plan a bit of the details and got to get in on a little wedding dancing at the end!  All in all, it was a fantastic wedding.  We had sooooo much fun.  I am happy for Nate and Nikki and when you look at the images keep in mind Nate is NOT a smiler.  He’s a fighter.  MMA style, kick your butt fighter.  Smiling = not on the agenda.  This day, though, it was.  I’m very glad to see him this happy.

So meet my family!  I don’t usually caption images but in this case I’m going to do it so you can meet my peeps.

My mother was one of the first in the salon – while my niece (Nate’s daughter) got her hair done, too.  These two are pretty close and play online computer games and stuff together.

Our fearless bride, Nikki’s just hanging out, chillin’ while the others get their hair done.

My niece, Kadence, thought it would be a great idea to blowdry my sister’s hair.  Fortunately we had a pro to finish the job after and then Kadence got her turn.

Ah, Brandon.  My nephew is the best, funniest kid pretty much ever.  I HAD to shoot this underwear shot.  Someday he’ll be mad at me for it – right now he’ll laugh.  HAHA!  Sorry B-Rock.

My youngest brother, Stephen, got himself ready, then worked on Brandon and my other brother, Mike, more.  Yes, I have 3 brothers, 1 sister, and a MESS of neph/nieces.

The groom!  Meet my brother, Nate.  He loves having his picture taken.  Of course he does.  I mean…ok, I’m lying.  He HATES it.  He did very well for us though.

I’m not sure what Mike was laughing about but it scares me.

Stephen, Nate, Mike – my 3 bros.  The only time I ever wished I had chosen not to shoot and had been in the wedding was this one shot.  I think it would have been nice to have the 4 of us in our suites there.  Ahhh well, ’tis my calling to be the shooter.

Nikki’s BFF and Maid of Honor, Amy.  I don’t know her well but she’s HILARIOUS.

Nate’s daughter, Saige, is a smiler.  Really.  No, she’s a teen girl.  Sorry, no smiles yet. Angst and nerves, yes.  Smiles, no.

“Stand over there to test the light for me.”  “Ok!”  Yes, Steve, you’re a goofball.  We love you anyways.

Another of the infamous nieces.  This is Kaiyley.  Or however you spell her name!  Too many vowels.  I call her KAEIOU-LEY.  She’s cute either way.

My mom and dad – these are the two best photos of them together that ever have existed.  This is why I love being a photographer.

Mark played “Father of the Bride” very well.

I can’t really caption this image very well.  I don’t know Nikki’s family.  I know that her parents are in the front row.  I’m pretty sure that’s her aunt’s family behind them and beyond that, new people for me to learn!

I’m happy for Nate.  I don’t honestly think I’ve ever seen him so happy.

This is my immediate family.  Not kidding.  Only my parents, siblings and their kids. I’ll give this a go.  Brian, Tom, Steve, Kiyle (front), Emily, Dylan (front), Bryson (front), Mike, Kaiyley, Saige, Nikki, Nate, Brandon (”B-Rock”), mom, dad, me, Sarah, Maggie (front), Ashley, Kadence (front), Kevin, Kevin Jr. (”Bubby”, front)

Nate, Nikki and their kids, Saige and Brandon.

While Sarah was shooting this image, Nate said the funniest thing.  “I’m too buff for this pose!”  Yes, Nate…you sure were.

Doin’ what we do.

I told you my brother Mike was mental earlier!  Here’s one bit of proof.  There’s another dancing shot where he grabbed my mom’s butt like he was a high school kid with a crush.  He’s RIDICULOUSLY funny!  I’m not posting the butt grab out of respect for my mom.  But I’ll talk about it.

My mom was very happy and proud – look at that smile!

WOOHOO!!  I got a dance!  And maybe a butt-grab.  It’s hard to tell where my hands are with that long shirt on.

First time I’ve ever danced with my mom.

So that’s the end of this story.  I hope you enjoyed this tremendously long post.  I don’t normally show off so many photos but I know this is the ONLY way many of my relatives will ever see the images and I wanted to show off our huge family to them.