Cindy and John were married at the Air Force Academy Chapel with their reception at The Cliff House in Manitou Springs. You may remember them as the winners of our 2008 Real Couple of the Year Contest…and what deserving winners they were! It was one of the most fun weddings we have been to. You could feel the love just dripping off the rafters. It was glorious!
We started off at the mall for a good old fashioned hair appointment with Cindy and two of her bridesmaids. Here’s Brenda getting all cute and curly:
Cindy looking sheepish…just as she was given the “all clear” to go, she took off her cape and with it, her veil. Ooops!
Cindy was a bride after my own heart. It was the only wedding I’ve photographed that has been totally on time! But really, did I expect anything else of two Air Force officers? While she was getting dressed, she was a woman on a mission. Every time she would start to have a moment (or anyone would start to cry) she would remind them that there wasn’t time. There would be time for moments later…but right now they needed to get to the chapel. :)
The one exception? There was time for a Swedish fish break. (I told you she was a bride after my own heart.) When one of the bridesmaids broke out the Costco sized bag of Swedish fish, Cindy and the fish did a little happy dance.
And then we were at the chapel. Gorgeous settings make for happy photographers!
Cindy and her dad are very close. Nic got a bunch of adorable shots of them as they prepared to go down the aisle. Here they are as they started off down the aisle:
The ceremony was beautiful and full of emotion.
The highlight of a military wedding has to be the sabre arch. The final pair drops their sabres and forces the newlyweds to kiss. In this case, twice–apparently the first kiss wasn’t persuasive enough. ;) Then John was swatted on the backside as they passed through. (They’ll have to tell us if there is a good story there. Nic was in the Honor Guard at our ROTC detachment and formed the sabre arch at many weddings…he says that they always swatted the bride, not the groom.)
I rode to the reception in the limo to capture some shots. John and Cindy did their best to be subtle. ;)
And the girls put the “party” in bridal party (although admittedly with apple cider instead of champagne)!
Cindy and John did a great job of scheduling, and our portrait time was nice and relaxed.
The Cliff House was a gorgeous setting for the reception!
John and Cindy are fantastic, and if they ever move to the Springs, they need to let me know, because I will be sending in our application to be their new best friends. And then while we’re hanging out, they can also teach us how to dance. Cause they can DANCE. (Which reminds me that before we attend our friend’s wedding this spring, we need us some dance lessons. Badly. Nic and I sorta suck at dancing. [Mainly Nic. I pretty much rock at dancing like Elaine on Seinfeld.])
The cake cutting got a little messy. ;)
The DJ (from The Celebration Station) did a fantastic job of getting the party going. If I throw a party, that’s who I will be hiring! I have so many pictures of laughing, and dancing, and laughing while dancing…
The father of the bride had some serious moves for the disco competition.
I have never seen such a group of macho, macho men…
Have you ever seen a better rendition of “Lost that Lovin’ Feeling”?!!
Ready to see the shot I almost got run over while taking? So worth it!
Thanks again, Cindy, John, and their family and friends for being such wonderful photography subjects! It was a blast to spend the day with you!
John and Cindy are off on another deployment soon. We wish them safety and that they return to Kansas and newlywed life soon!
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I don’t have behind the scenes shots to share this time…but I do have bloopers! Cindy’s train proved to be a bit hazardous. :) John tripped on it for the first time as they walked back down the aisle:
And again as they rocked the dance floor:
I hope John will forgive me for not hitting the “delete” button on these! :D
