Nervously, I rang the doorbell.  Yes, it was a hotel, but still… I rang the doorbell.  That’s how the Wynn Las Vegas rolls, I guess.

Immediately a familiar and friendly face opened the door.  In a white satin robe and a glowing smile; Sarah greeted me.  It was the first time that we had met outside of the realm of the internet; however, her blanket of warmth and friendship immediately enveloped me… as it did all of the others in the room.  I quickly recognized faces and introduced myself to the wedding party… comparing profile pictures I had seen online to the real life faces that smiled back.  The ladies in the room came from the east coast to celebrate Sarah and Jack’s wedding day, and I was honored to be able to document it all.

In true Sarah fashion, she swayed around the room.  Checking in on her friends.  Making sure that they had everything that they needed.  She thanked each person for being there on her special day; however, she effortlessly made the day special for all of the others in the room.  Because (from what I heard in the speeches later in the night) that is what Sarah does.  She makes sure that everyone else is okay… happy… comfortable… without even a nod to her own needs at that moment.

Sarah’s ability to make you feel like you are the most important person in the room has served her well in life.  She has surrounded herself with the most kind, loving, and genuine people that a person could ever wish to meet.  Especially Jack. Jack is quiet, yet humorous.  He slides his hand into the small of Sarah’s back as they walk and quietly protects her… with each step.  They smile together, laugh together… and after eight years of dating… can finally call each other husband and wife.

Sarah and Jack.  You are so special. You are wonderful people that I only wish didn’t live on the opposite side of the country.  I was so honored to document the moments of your wedding day… that you will forever cherish as memories.  Thank you.

Here are just a few photos from the gorgeous event that was coordinated by Sarah with the help of Scheme Events.  You can see more of the wedding day on Sarah and Jack’s wedding website.

Sarah and Jack’s ceremony was held at Primrose Garden inside the Wynn Las Vegas.  Due to the Wynn’s exclusivity the ceremony was captured by the photographers provided and endorsed by the hotel.  I had the opportunity of documenting the remaining portions of Sarah and Jack’s day.

Thank you so much to my second shooter, Natalie for the image above.  I loooooove it!

Sarah and the girls at Scheme Events put together a dream team of vendors to make their day run smoothly and look gorgeous… roll the credits…

Design & Coordination: Scheme Events

Ceremony Location: Wynn Las Vegas, Primrose Garden

Reception Location: Vintner Grill Strip

Flowers: The Palette

DJ & Entertainment: Mike Fox & Company

Make-up & Hair: Jennifer Durivage

Linens: Creative Coverings

Dress: Casablanca

Shoes: Kate Spade

Well, in the traditional sense, no… this wasn’t a wedding.  Wedding being defined as:     {{wed·ding - the act or ceremony of marrying; marriage; nuptials.}}

You see… Natalie and TJ are married.  Happily married. For several years, actually.

Natalie and TJ got married on October 30, 2006 in Ranchos Palos Verdes, California in a breathtaking ceremony.  She vowed her love and support to him while he matched her sentiment with the promise to spend his life with her.  Happily ever after.  This sounds perfectly magical.  However, something was missing.  Them.  They were missing.  The details that made the day uniquely theirs were noticeably absent.

Natalie met TJ in high school.  They ran in the same circles.  Had the same friends; however, romantically it just wasn’t meant to happen.  Yet.

Natalie and TJ both went off to college.  Both diligently studied the Civil War and the Civil Rights movement, and both fell in love with a history deeply rooted in the soil of the southern United States.  Before falling deeply in love with each other.

When Natalie and TJ both returned to their hometown and began to rekindle old friendships from high school; the spark was lit between the two of them.  This time, the spark was fostered by a newfound romantic interest in one another along with the common interest they both shared in studying the Civil War; more specifically the life and trials of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

About five and a half years after their picture-perfect wedding, TJ surprised Natalie by scheduling a wedding shoot in which they incorporated everything unique about how the foundation of their relationship began.  And, of course, the shoot was scheduled for January 15th.  The birthday of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

TJ and Natalie’s day was pulled together with the help of those closest to their heart, and to their marriage.  Natalie wore a dress she borrowed from her sister, and the birdcage veil was lent to her by the beautiful girls at Bridal Elegant.  Her mom helped her hand make her bouquet while TJ wore the suit in which he graduated from college.  TJ’s tie was also borrowed from a dear friend who served as a groomsman in the original wedding, and Natalie’s necklace was something she purchased during her days in college.

The shoot took place on the streets of downtown Las Vegas where one street over the city prepared for the parade that would honor Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

As we approached the Courthouse, TJ surprised Natalie again by arranging for a private ceremony to renew their marriage vows to one another.  Again, Natalie vowed her love and support to him while he matched her sentiment with the promise to spend his life with her.  Happily ever after.

Here are a few moments from their day…