Alexander & Jessica

Alex was four years old when I met him. I watched him grow through his first day of school and his last letter to Santa Claus. He was fourteen when he met Jess. He was sixteen when I promised him that no matter where I was in the world when they married, I would come home for his wedding. 

He was twenty-one when I kept my promise. 

On July 14, 2018, I watched the human being who has given me every bit of parenting experience I'll ever have marry the woman he had been in love with for a third of his life.

The ceremony wasn't until 4, but the family was staying on the resort, and arrived to mingle early. I wasn't the official photographer, but that's never been a thing to deter me!

I spent the first part of my morning with this beauty...

...and when she pulled me aside for me to see her "show", I couldn't resist taking a picture to share it with the world.

Some candid kids,

a bit of pre-wedding Flossing...

And then it was time.

That's The Boy.

And his bride.

And their Girl.

Yes, that makes that sweet bundle of adorableness my granddaughter.

💑 These two! 💑

After the ceremony, it was time for Operation Distract-Carlie-While-Everyone-Gets-Pictures-Taken.

(I get all the fun jobs!)

The lollipop was the photographer's idea.



The bubbles just happened.

This also just happened!
Protect your sons, folks; she's already got a crew of bodyguards.

I told you I get the fun jobs!

ME:  "If one has a beer, all must have a beer."

SECOND FROM THE RIGHT: "I don't know where mine is, but I have THIS!"

What a bunch of hams.

It wasn't long before Alex was spotted.

"DADDY!"

Then there was the passing of the torch. Or the photographers, as the case may be.

Gorgeous. 

(and, with one step to the side: what you don't usually get to see)

Jess was perfect.

And together, they make magic.

Literally.

With it all said and done, it's time to celebrate!

This was a one-off, one-time, completely spontaneous shot and it's easily my favourite of the girls - with Alex's mom, of course!

First dance to Ed Sheeran's "Perfect".

At one point, Alex had to call in his stunt-double.

But there were no breaks for little Carlie...

...or for most anyone else!

 It was an incredibly fun weekend, a beautiful day, and a very very blurry night surrounded by some incredible people. I am beyond thankful for everyone who were able to come together, check what could have been some awkward situations at the door, and celebrate the unification of two very blended families, and most importantly, the beautiful young love of the two that brought us all together in the first place.