Doing Double Time

When it comes to weddings, we rarely break the rules. Not that we have a lot of them - but one is we never double up on being in a wedding party of a friend/family member AND doing the photography. It's a big commitment to do either thing, and we never want to be stretched beyond where we can do our very best for friends and family.

This is a rule we have held fast to through thick and thin - until this spring. One of my oldest, dearest and closest friends asked me for this - to be a bridesmaid and to document her wedding. Her name is Leslie and she is a fabulous writer living a fabulous life in southern Florida. We have been friends for over 15 years - since we were both young reporters at the York Dispatch newspaper.

Leslie could have asked any number of photographers to do her wedding - she probably knows about 100 zillion and is like a local celeb in southern Florida. But the begging and pleaded started... please do both.

So, we did it. I was a bridesmaid for the very first time. And toted a camera as well - in heels, make-up, fancy hairdo and bridesmaid dress. I'm sure it was a hilarious thing to see. Thank heavens Nathaniel was working too - three inch stilettos and an above-the-knee hemline slowed me down ever so slightly from my usual shooting style. (Tip for my other brides - please don't ask me to shoot your wedding in heels! It's not comfy!)

Leslie married Scott - who she knew in high school in Baltimore, but reconnected with on Facebook in the past few years. They are the cutest couple and Nathaniel & I are sooo happy for them both! Two wonderful people who deserve a long, happy life together!

They were married on a perfect sunny Florida afternoon at the gorgeous Colony Hotel in Palm Beach. Here are some picts from their day...

The Colony Hotel was the ceremony & reception site, and did all the catering.

In addition to which the Colony was a gorgeous backdrop for pictures!

This is my fave picture of Leslie... she looks like a movie star!

Adorable flower girl. : ) And all the bridemaids had different dresses in Leslie's two favorite colors:

pink and purple.

Mazel Tov!

One of my favorite parts of any wedding are the unexpected emotional moments - like here when Leslie got a big hug from her mom just before getting her hair & make-up done. So sweet!

Leslie's veil, from Etsy.

And I LOVE shoes. Shoes, shoes, shoes. Can someone have an addiction to shoes?

Maybe I have that...

Leslie's shoes were Chinese Laundry. Shown with her bracelet and ring.

Breaking the rules sometimes is worth it. As you can see. Not all lifetime relationships are with the person you marry. Some are with your dearest friends - they are the family you choose to spend your days with, the women you love like sisters. The people you break the rules for.

Leslie and Scott had a really beautiful wedding, surrounded by friends and family that loved and adored them as much as we do. It was amazing to be part of it ~ as a photographer there to document their memories, as a bridesmaid to stand by Leslie's side, and as a friend to someone who has been by my side for much of my life ~ for better and worse, in good times and in bad. Only for a great friend - one of the best women I have ever known - would I make the choice to break those rules and be both bridesmaid and photographer.

We wish you both a world of happiness together, Leslie and Scott!

Big hugs and love always ~ Rissa

The ingredients of Leslie and Scott's Day:

Venue & Catering: The Colony Hotel, Palm Beach, FL

Planner: Kim Walsh Phillips

Flowers: Seed to Flower

DJ: Tim Foley

Officiant: Rev. Paul Underhay

Hair and Make-up: Britney Walton of Puyre Salon

Ceremony Musicians: Louis Johnson, New York, and Melanie Hood Wilson, Baltimore

Dress/Veil: Dress, Distinctive Designs Bridal, Rockville, Md. (owned by a former contestant on "The Apprentice"); Veil, Etsy

Rehearsal Dinner: Havana Hideout (as seen on Food Network)