This August wedding was just as much about a very special little third person as it was about the bride and groom. It was a celebration of a family of three officially becoming, well, official. Crystal and Nick and their beautiful daughter Layla were celebrated throughout their sunshine-filled August wedding day at Shadow Lake Golf Club outside of Rochester, New York. 

Getting ready time, ceremony and reception, plus all formal photos, took place at Shadow Lake which is easily one of the best venues I’ve ever visited as a photographer. They are so attentive to their couples AND they are amazing to us vendors, too! (And no, they didn’t pay me to say any of that, haha!)

Having everything at one location takes a lot of travel time out of the equation and allowed Crystal and Nick to have lots of wiggle room time and keep the stress levels down. Crystal was surrounded by her mother and Nick’s mother in addition to her future sisters-in-law and closest friends (and Layla, too!). The group was laughing, joking and really relaxed during the getting ready portion of the day. My second photographer had a great time photographing the guys, too — they were joking around but really easy to get along with and keep organized. 

The entire day was laidback and filled with incredibly special moments that I may never forget — from a friend’s written lyrics in a song that told Crystal and Nick’s story so far to the best man’s moving speech and reflection on his and Nick’s military service overseas together. Not one dry eye in the room after his and the maid of honor’s speeches. 

I’ve loved getting to know Crystal, Nick, Layla and all of their loved ones. Congratulations on making it official and all of the best wishes in joy for decades and decades from now!