Seasons of Love: Best of 2010

It's only natural during this time of year to start reflecting on the year as a whole, evaluating how you lived these moments of 2010 that completely soared by! As I've been thinking about 2010, the song "Seasons of Love" from Rent keeps popping into my brain. 

"How do you measure, measure a year? 

In daylights, in sunsets, in midnights, in cups of coffee? 

in inches, in miles, in laughter, in strife?

In 525,600 minutes?

How do you measure a year in the life?

How about love? Measure in Love. Seasons of Love. "  

Measure in love? Yes, I think that's a good ruler to use. And by these standards, I have had an incredible year! I've been witness to so much love this year! 

I decided to pull a few of my favorite moments of the year together: 

This Spring, I started the season off with some incredible beach weddings 

Some of the more emotional moments.... 

There were some hot summer days this year!!  

I witnessed some great friends tie the knot with out all the frills of the big wedding (below). This was probably one of the most beautiful and honest expressions of the love between two people I've ever seen.  

Definitely a memorable moment (above)!! Cindy and Keith did a flawless argentinian tango for their first dance. 

This photo, below, won 8th place in the WPJAs Quarter 3 contest under the category of "Other vendors". The WPJA has members all of the world and I'm always extremely honored to place in one of their contests. 

Another extremely memorable moment came this fall at the wedding of Cassandra Cherco and Tripper Shea when Cassy (who had recently recovered from Chemo) tossed off her wig on her way into the reception!!  

I lost it during this moment (above). This was the purest and most beautiful reaction to seeing his bride walk down the aisle.  And he still had that look on his face at the end of the night (below). So much love! 

Some moments were just silly (above) 

Above, a bridesmaids hand-stiches her friend a "something blue" to be sewn into her dress. 

Measure in Love. Seasons of Love :)  

Some random snowfall in November made for a chilly day of photos (above)

This year ended with a white Christmas spent with my family in Raleigh, NC. Here's a photo of my 2-year old nephew, Wes, playing in the snow the day after Christmas. 

Measure in Love. Seasons of Love. 

I feel thankful and honored that I'm surrounded by so much love and am already excited about all the new and beautiful moments that 2011 will bring. 

Happy 2011 Everyone! 

Kristina and Jon in Roanoke, VA

What a FANTASTIC thanksgiving weekend I had at the wedding of Jon Hillman and Kristina Montuori in Roanoke, VA. Jon and Kristina met playing soccer at UNC-Asheville (They were both #9 and played the same position!!) and were married in Kristina's hometown of Roanoke, VA this past Saturday, Nov. 27th. 

Here are a few highlights from this love-filled wedding day:  

Saturday morning, while Kristina was getting ready for her wedding day, she got a letter from Jon (above and below). This was such a sweet moment! 

In the Italian tradition, Kristina's family lined up outside her house as she headed off to the church, tossing flower petals and coins at her for luck (above).  

St. Andrew's Catholic Church in downtown Roanoke is SO beautiful!  

Jon and Kristina exit the church (above) and head straight into their stretch hummer (below)

The Limo took myself and the wedding party around Roanoke for some photos! This wedding party was so much fun!! 

"With our powers combined...." (above)

Jon gave his groomsmen the coolest gift: Custom superhero cufflinks! Jon's superhero identity is Superman!  

We made a stop at the grocery store (below) for more champagne and a little fun!  

Jon and Kristina's reception took place at the Hotel Roanoke and it was so beautiful there! 

Below, the couple shares their first dance. I've included a lot of first dance photos because I really though they were just so cute dancing together!! You can tell how much they really love each other!  

Jon, you really should feel like a superman right now! (above) 

The UNC-Asheville soccer teams (below) 

This is the best garter catch I've ever seen!!! (below) 

Kristina and Jon shared the sweetest last dance of the night I've ever seen! It made my eyes swell to watch Jon wipe Kristina's sweet tears.  There is so much love between these two! 

Thanks so much to Kristina and Jon for allowing me to be a part of their special day! Another big thanks to Kate Monroe, who shot along side me on Saturday. Thanks so much Kate!

I also posted a few of Kristina's Bridal Portraits on my blog, check them out! 

Below, Kristina's family gave wedding guests a very special wedding gift: special wine from their own vineyard.