Dorothy (she’s my wife in case you’re new here) and I first met Tim when he started coming to the college-age Sunday School class Dorothy and I taught at our church. He got so comfortable with us, he was soon calling us "old" because we had graduated a handful of years before. He fit right in and quickly became one of the leaders in the group.
Enter Meghan. She came along a few years after Tim. She was a bit more timid than Tim was and decided to refrain from the insults Tim was so quick to hurl in our direction. She was just what he needed! I can remember seeing them sitting together after church in the sanctuary. They just sat and talked. Forever. It was like they were the only two people in the world. It wasn’t long before they were dating.
Fast forward a few years. I got a call from Tim (with Meghan in the background) telling me that they were engaged and wanted to book an engagement session as soon as they could. He also said they wanted to talk about shooting their wedding. I was elated!
You may remember their engagement session from Brewster Gardens. We had a beautiful day and took full advantage of this beautiful park nestled in the Plymouth waterfront.
Fast forward once more to 4th of July weekend this year. The game plan was to meet up with Tim and Meghan on Friday morning for their on-site visit and finalize our plan for their photos. As I drove to the church on Friday morning, the rolling hills of farmland all around me were breathtaking. Silos and barns were scattered in every direction. I was in love. I came upon a field covered in yellow flowers. My jaw immediately dropped and my brain kicked into overdrive. I could already see Meghan in her wedding dress and Tim in his tux standing amongst the flowers. Was it even possible? Only time would tell.
Tim and Meghan were already at the church when I arrived. The Life Church of the Nazarene was the church where Meghan grew up. They gave me the quick tour and filled me in on the logistics. We then headed south again to Tug Hill Vineyards – their reception venue.
As we drove to Tug Hill, I realized we were on the exact same road I was on that morning. We drove right past the field full of yellow flowers. I brought it to their attention and we decided we would check it out later.
Tug Hill Vineyards is a little piece of heaven in upstate New York. The pristine grounds and the incredible view of the valley below are simply breathtaking. The background options for their photos were endless.
We finished up at the vineyards and then drove back up the road to see if we could find the owner of the field and take a closer look. A single stop to a very friendly dairy farmer and we were set. We knew as soon as we looked at the field that it was a definite stop for the wedding day.
The following morning, I pulled up to Meghan’s parents’ house. There were cars all over the place and the interior was a blur of activity. Hair, make-up and wardrobes were quickly coming together. Since George wasn’t with me for this wedding, I got right to work on some detail photos before jumping in to some getting-ready candids. It wasn’t long at all before we were loading up the vehicles and heading to Tug Hill.
Meghan and Tim had decided to see each other before the ceremony and take their formals at Tug Hill before heading to the church. It turns out that based on a suggestion from a friend they had breakfast together that morning as well – just the two of them.
At the vineyard, I positioned Tim outside the main building facing toward the valley and had Meghan come up from behind. Their friends and family watched as they embraced and admired each other for a moment. Meghan stood one stair up from Tim so they were almost on the same level. The way they talked to each other reminded me of those earlier moments in their relationship when they sat together after church completely absorbed in each other.
The sun, heat and humidity were our only opponents for the formals, but we moved through them quickly and even managed to find a little shade. Family – done. "See you at the church!" Guys – done. "See you at the church!" I finished up the formals with the ladies and then we headed to the church ourselves.
Guests were coming from every direction as we arrived at the church. Smiles, hugs and laughter were everywhere I looked. Tim and the guys took their place at the front of the church. Tim’s parents are both pastors and would be performing the ceremony together. It was an incredibly special moment for them. Meghan and her dad walked down the aisle. Their family and friends smiled and cried tears of joy as they entered.
The funniest moment during the ceremony was when Meghan and Tim leaned in for their first kiss. All the groomsmen whipped their cell phones out of their pockets and started snapping photos. They totally went paparazzi on them!
As planned, we left the church following the receiving line and headed for the "field of yellow flowers." A quick stop was all it took to get a few of my favorite photos from the day. The farmer even stopped by to congratulate Tim and Meghan! I could have shot in that one field all day.
Tim and Meghan’s tented reception allowed their guests to enjoy the amazing view of the farm-filled valley below. The kids ran and jumped through the vineyard with the three four-footed vineyard caretakers. Nothing like some great dogs to keep kids entertained during a reception. Tim and Meghan listened and laughed as the maid of honor and best man shared stories about the bride and groom. They cut their cake and remained fairly civil as they fed each other a piece. Homemade whoopee pies adorned each place setting. They were the shortest lived wedding favors I’d ever seen. And for good reason – they were delicious!
Tim and Meghan spent the rest of the evening mingling with guests and catching up on times past. Their wedding party made sure to help them depart in style by elegantly decorating Tim’s car with an inflatable raft and plastic dinosaur among other things. Tim and Meghan departed through a flurry of bubbles. Their friends and family cheered for them one last time as they drove off for their honeymoon.
Tim and Meghan – thank you for giving Dorothy and me the opportunity to celebrate your wedding day with you! I had a great time working with you and truly enjoyed being in a completely new location. I wish you all the best as you continue life’s journey together. Never stop having those conversations with each other and keep having breakfast together!
Vendors:
Church: Life Church of the Nazarene – Watertown, NY
Reception Venue: Tug Hill Vineyards – Lowville, NY
To see a brief slides show of their wedding images, click here.
This was the pendant on Meghan’s necklace.
Holding dad’s hand – absolutely LOVE this shot!
Mr. Cool and Collected.
The reveal.
These next two photos crack me up every time. Have to be seen in sequence.
One proud father.
It was hard to pick just one…
Let’s just say that Tim "likes" cheese.
Their first dance.
She may be smaller, but she’s scrappy! Check out the view in the background too!
Decorated with love!
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