Kiley,
I have sat here for the past few minutes now, writing and rewriting and then erasing the beginning of this thank you email. I’m having trouble finding words for the immense satisfaction, astonishment, and joy that we felt when viewing our wedding photo album for the first time on Christmas morning (and the second time… and the third time… and the tenth time since then!) It was everything we hoped for and dreamed of – and more. The briefcase gives it an air of elegance before you even crack open the album itself. The triangle photo on the front cover is perfect. The lovely imprinted names and date on the front surprised me, as I was expecting cheaper-looking silver typing on one of the bottom corners. The pages are smooth, and fingerprint-free. (Which, I learned quickly, is a good thing since every person in my extended family who looked at it over the last 24 hours ran their hands over every single page!) But the incredible album would be nothing if it wasn’t for the best photos in the world, taken by the best photographer in the universe. Each and every page was my “new favorite” as we went through the pages, deeper and deeper into the day. However, I would love to share a few highlights! First, the backgrounds. Everyone has commented on how amazing it is that the backgrounds are actual pictures from the wedding itself! Next, the full 2-page spread of the whole entire ceremony is absolutely stunning (the lodge, the guests, the groomsmen, the bridesmaids, the lake, and of course, the bride and groom). When I look at the “sequence of events” pages filled with many photos (ie: the pages of the wedding party procession, my walk down the aisle, our first dance, and my dance with my dad), it feels like we’re reliving those moments. Even the page of my (brief!) disappointment and tears due to the weather is perfect! It makes me laugh and smile, remembering how I thought that my wedding was “ruined”, when in fact it wound up more beautiful and intimate being indoors than it could have ever turned out had it remained outdoors, as planned. The comment that I heard more times than one from my extended family was: “How on earth did he manage to get these fantastic shots from all angles when we never even noticed him during the wedding?!?” If there was a prize for “Most Incognito Photographer”, you would win! And all the while, you managed to capture each and every emotion of the wonderful day. Not a single memorable moment of the day was lost – and that says something because the day was absolutely filled with them!!! Hands down, our photographer was the best wedding vendor decision we made. I wouldn’t change a single thing about this entire journey of working with you. Thank you for allowing me to be so hands-on. I have enjoyed every minute of it!
Thank you again for preserving the best day of our lives.
- Hilary Heller Ableser