San Diego Vow Renewal – Matt & Lyndse

This pair is special to me for a multitude of reasons. The biggest reason, however, is that they were the first couple to EVER say “hey. we want you to photograph our wedding.” — back when the only wedding photography experience I had was carrying a camera bag around for a lead photographer, and had never actually photographed a wedding solo before. 

That was TEN years ago. Which means two things: (1) they have been ROCKING the married frontier for a full decade and (2) their blind faith in me set me on a crazy successful path of shooting over 250 weddings in the past 10 years. I would quite literally not be where I am today if it weren’t for them. 

And of course this post comes with a story… 

Six months ago, Lyndse texted me her plans of surprising Matt with a little vow renewal for their 10th wedding anniversary. “ummmmlemmethinkYES” was my instant reply. And so the day arrived. Lyndse left Matt his suit, shoes, a new tie, a pad of paper and a note that said “go read your old wedding vows, write new ones, and catch an Uber to this address at this time.” 

He arrived as directed and found me, awkward and alone in an empty loft in Little Italy downtown San Diego. With few words, I pinned a boutonniere on his jacket and told him where to stand. As music started to play, Olivia rounded the corner dropping flowers like a pro. And then came Lyndse, somehow even more radiant than she was 10 years ago. I managed to hold it together until Matt finished his new vows to Lyndse, turned to Olivia and said, “I’ve actually written two sets of vows, because now I have 2 girls in my life to make promises to” — and I couldn’t hold back the waterworks any more. My heart was at capacity and overflowed out my eyes. I am just so humbled and honored to have stayed a part of this little family’s love story over so many years. It’s the best part of my job by far, and it was a well timed reminder of why I do what I do, and why I LOVE it so damn much.