This Wedding Photographer awoke in a motel room in South Lincoln on a gorgeous December morning. Only slightly annoyed that my “upstairs neighbors” stayed up until 4 am… I was endlessly delighted with the gleaming blue skies, the warmth of the sun and sparkling diamond icicles melting from the trees.
The storm had past, and I had awoken to a beautiful day! I stopped off at Rockbrook Camera in Lincoln, Nebraska to pick up some amazing gear, and was stoked to sport it while Heather got ready at her motel.
The motel sported a fireplace and was toasty warm, my bare toes needed that. I made my way up the stairs and found Heather and friends excitedly getting ready in room 204!
It was neat to observe Heather get ready for her wedding day. She was excited, grounded and calm. Radiance surrounded her… and it wasn’t subtle. It was everywhere! Sometimes I wish I could be on the other side… anchored in the faith that “this is my soul mate, I am geared up for the long haul…” 
Heather’s mama and floral designer arrived with some amazing flowers. I was enthralled as Mrs. Mekelburg described to Heather the symbolism in her wedding bouquet. Each one of the twists of ribbon on the bouquet were representative of the intertwining of Heather and Tyrrell’s life together. There were seven of them, because seven is a perfect number. There were three Calla Lilies on the bouquet representing the Trinity: The Father, The Son and the Holy Spirit as a reminder that God needs to be in their marriage.
Running well over an hour behind, we separated ourselves and migrated to the Nebraska State Capital to photograph Heather and Tyrrell’s stunning Bridal portraits. The journey prompted my memory of living in Lincoln over ten years ago. My memory of an exhausting number of One-Way’s AND medians (oh, the medians… the insane number of medians) and how infuriating they could be and how odd the designer must have been. I remembered running the marathon of 1999, when I was young, could run, and threw down 13.1 miles in just under four hours… I recall the homestretch being grueling, agonizing and oh, so rewarding once it was finished. The hills headed north on tenth street seem like nothing in a viable vehicle, but to a runner entering the homestretch of a marathon no matter the distance, they seem like the most agonizing venture up until that date… till childbirth.
The roads cleared, and the entourage flooded into the experience and I watched the road signs pass… A, B, C, D, E, F, G… and soon we arrived!
She is stunning in her wedding dress… there really isn’t another way to say it!
Except for WOW, maybe WOW would work?
She was SOOO excited to see Tyrrell, and God Bless her patience as I kept finding more amazing photographs along the way!
ooh, the LOVE! But it couldn’t last long, I had seen more great things… There are Angels Among us… do you hear the music?
And lo-and behold… the “bridal portrait…” Sigh, she looks so happy! Something tells me that is because she is!
In the hall of our State Capital…
I am sure it seemed like forever to Heather and especially Tyrrell… but it wasn’t long before we were off to Piedmont Adventist Church. As the blocks went by, I became increasingly more excited about what was about to take place. I was the individual chosen to document one the most amazing couples I had ever met.
The sky got bluer and the sun continued to shine, and the diamonds that glistened from the trees melted away, we let the noon hour slip away. It wasn’t long before the music had begun and Pachebel’s Canon in D (performed by a quite talented pianist and flautist) brought the wedding party down the aisle.
Soon, it was Ms. Heather’s turn… she was SOOO happy!
The officiant spoke of Gifts and Christmas Gifts, and soon this incredible couple who had given themselves as special gift to one another were man and wife.
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For a winter wedding the Wilderness Lodge couldn’t have been a better choice! Cozy. Warm. Inviting. The ambiance was perfect. The company was classic!
The reception went on… and soon, the slide show depicting the joy and innocence of their youth began to play. The singer sang “Somewhere in the World today… and I don’t even know her name… a little boy will need a Godly wife…” I was moved by the music and the emotion of the genuine, heartfelt efforts that went into the day and for the first time in my life, I believe I was in a room where God was present. Maybe I felt it before and maybe I will feel it again, but this time I have faces, expressions and moments to help me remember.
I don’t believe I have ever seen two people more in love, more excited to be married, and more grounded in their faith as they stood before “God and these witnesses” to pledge their lives to one another. Before them were marriages of many decades, perhaps close to six. A heritage that is long-lived, grounded in faith, friends, family and fun.
Throughout the day I was repeatedly moved to tears.
What a special couple!
What an amazing day!
I exited the Wilderness Lodge after Heather and Tyrrell’s wedding day… the cool, brisk air almost burned my cheeks, and singed (in some demented fashion) my nose hairs, I inhaled what was perceived to be clean air and I thank God for for an incredible Christmas gift and an incredible Christmas wedding.
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And today…as I back up and rewind from another beautiful wedding and and amazing day, and come down from the high of my artistic adrenalin, I am prompted to say my own prayers:
- That God would send me a man I love and that loves me, and that in that process He would make me a Godly wife.
Huge Shout-Out of the Day goes to Ben for being my second set of eyes, my moment finder, and just an all around rad man! You may view his images here!
More About Heather and Tyrrell: Engaged, and I am not finished, Yet…
by Christina
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