Jenelle Kappe Photography: October 2014

During their reception, I remember Tara mentioning how the most difficult part was getting the courage to tell her Grandmother that her and Erica were getting married. But that when she told her, she congratulated them immediately and was elated for them. It burned my heart and made me cry tears of joy to hear this. To have that unwavering support from family, makes my heart sing.

It's obvious the love that these two ladies have for another. The shared soft smiles ... the simple gestures ... the comforting embraces. The devotion and ever challenging love that they share is incredible.

I have a very special place in my heart for documenting same sex weddings. The couples fight so hard and take such a strong stand for their love, that they are inspirational to me.

They are in it, because their hearts are in it. And I think that makes all the difference.

You know that tingle that you get when you hear live music ... the live crowd cheering, singing along and sending an incredible energy through your soul?!? Giving you those imaginary goosebumps?!?! I do, all too well. It gets me every time.

For me, shooting Katie and Patrick's wedding did just that. There was no live concert or a huge crowd, but the happiness, excitement and absolute joy that their families had for not only Katie and Patrick, but for this celebration, their wedding day ... was intoxicating.

It was a feeling I felt all day, but it truly hit on the dance floor. Many of both Katie and Patrick's families live in Ireland and traveled all this way to be a part of their wedding. There was a point during the reception when a recently popular (unbeknownst to me) Irish song came on and suddenly the tingle began and the goosebumps hit. Everyones faces lit up and hit the dance floor cheering and singing along at the top of their lungs. I was tapped on the shoulder by a family member and asked if I've ever heard of this song before, I replied that I hadn't (although I was wishing that I had). He gave me a smile and said, 'well it's a good one' and joined the rest of his family on the dance floor. I just thought to myself, 'I know, I can tell'.
Surrounded in the middle of it all with a tear of joy in my eye, it took all my might to not put down my camera and (pretend to) sing along. I was captivated by the energy and love for life.

That's what it's all about. Family, Friends and Living to the Fullest.