Today I'm reminiscing about that rainy, gloomy October day when Evan and Elissa said "I Do" at the beautiful Elsie Perrin Williams Estate. I love it when couples make their wedding day theirs, and these two planned a day that was totally unique. A first look followed by dinner, all before the candlelit outdoor ceremony that Elissa had her heart set on. I've already mentioned the rain, and rain it did. A lot. We got through most of our portraits before it really started coming down, and as dinner and speeches got started, we all kept an eye on the weather forecast as the rain kept falling. I cannot praise the staff at Elsie Perrin enough for doing everything they could to make Elissa's dream for an evening candlelit ceremony come true. From wiping down every single seat repeatedly to lighting every single tea light candle in the rain - not an easy task. As often happens, things went later than expected, and it was completely dark outside by the time we all got out for the ceremony. But everyone came together to make it happen. Guests sat on semi-wet chairs with huge smiles on their faces, not a single complaint. The officiant took out a reading light to read in the dark, and the live musicians took shelter in the gazebo. Despite it being a candlelit ceremony, there was very little light for us to work with as the only candles were on the ground. Big thanks to my second shooter, Melissa Pushelberg, for holding my video light and somehow following my signals (in the dark, no less) as I tried to direct her on where to point it while shooting is very tricky conditions (both the lack of lighting and the slippery mud!). It was truly a team effort, but seeing Elissa's huge smile made it all worth it. She got her outdoor candlelit ceremony, and everyone came away with a heartwarming story about a truly unique wedding. :)
