The first time I met Parker and Melissa it was at Rachel and Brad’s wedding in August of 2010. I thought to myself I hope I get to photograph Parker and Melissa’s wedding as they were super cute, full of spunk, and a lot of fun. Rachel and Melissa have been best friends their whole lives. Rachel’s speech was so elegant it brought laughter and tears to everyones faces. I am so thankful that the first wedding with Rachel and Brad wasn’t the last time I would see Melissa and Parker. I saw them again so several other weddings in 201o and 2011. It was a pleasure each time as they are the sweetest and most fun people you could ever come across.
Parker and Melissa met just after college….they were both living in Portland and one night downtown their paths crossed. It was most certainly meant to be. They went to the movies just a few days after and before they knew it two weeks later they were dating. There is no way to truly describe this wedding. This group of friends is the one of the tightest knit greatest group of friends ever. They party hard, laugh, and live life to the fullest. There are many more exciting things to come for these friends as they can often be found hanging out for dinners and just generally spending time doing guy and girl things. (golf, movies etc)
March 23rd, 2013 was a fabulous hot sunny day in Punta Cana. At 4pm when the ceremony began a beautiful breeze was blowing just in time for the bridal party to gather on the beach. As Melissa began down the sandy path there wasn’t a dry eye in the crowd. Parker tried so hard not to cry but you could tell there were a few happy tears as he watched his stunning bride approach with her Mom. Parker and Melissa mixed traditional and modern with a combination of traditional vows and their own vows. Angelique did an amazing job reading a piece she wrote just for the wedding. (Angelique is a talented writer) and Kathy (who has known Melissa her whole life because she is Rachel’s mom) did a fantastic job with the ceremony–even had me in tears as she talked about how Parker came into their lives. Everyone was barefoot on the beach and there because of a deep love for Parker and Melissa.
The dinner and dancing outside on the terrace next to the tops of the palm trees at Sunset couldn’t have been more perfect. The temperature was just right, and the dinner was delicious. (especially the chocolate Bon Bons) Parker’s brother sang Melissa’s favorite song (“The Woman I love” by Jason Maraz) while they danced their first dance as Mr and Mrs. LaChance. Then all 32 people hit the dance floor and kept it hopping all night! The night ended in the “biblioteca” dance club late night.
I can not express to you how fortunate I am to have met Rachel, Brad, Melissa, and Parker. (as well as their families and friends) I am so lucky to have the job that I do and get to spend time with such amazing people. Thank you so much for allowing me to capture this fantastic and epic wedding. I had a wonderful time and I am looking forward to seeing everyone again for more weddings and babies! (or maybe just a night in the old port or a cup of coffee) 🙂