A Special Wedding... A Special Family

There are so many beautiful and exciting moments to capture on the wedding day, from the bride laughing while sipping mimosas with her bridesmaids while they get ready to the moment the groom sees the love of his life walking down the isle. Another amazing part of the wedding day is the reception, where the newly wed couple gets to celebrate their new union with their closest family and friends. Receptions are where couples can incorporate traditional elements like parent dances, tossing of the bouquet, and cutting of the wedding cake. Some couples incorporate cultural/ethnic traditions and activities. You may even get to see a choreographed dance off between the bridesmaids and groomsmen, lol, that’s always a good laugh.

Last year I got to meet a very special and amazing family, Sarah, Shay, and their son Kaden. Sarah and Shay had a beautiful ceremony at the Renaissance Baltimore Harborplace Hotel where they said their vows and made a commitment to love and take care of each other for the rest of their lives. When it comes to wedding receptions, theirs is one that I will never be able to forget; it was a true celebration of their union and they turnt all the way up! The excitement and joy during the reception was overwhelming. These two women were incredibly down to earth and had no shame in expressing their love for one another! The night was filled with music, dancing, laughter, and love. The highlight of their reception for me was witnessing their son, Kaden, completely demolish the dance floor all night long! He was the life of the party; his love for his moms was clear as day, as was the love that Sarah, Shay and all of their family and friends had for Kaden.

Every now and then we meet someone who makes an impression on us, someone who displays so much strength and resilience to the challenges and obstacles of this world, that it inspires a certain level of admiration. I was fortunate enough to meet Sarah and Shay, who have to be two of the strongest people I’ve met. Just 3 months after they got married, they experienced a tragedy that no parents should ever have to go through… the death of their 6-year-old son. As a mom myself, it is difficult to even imagine the impact that this unexpected and devastating tragedy had on this family. Til this day, my heart goes out to them. Kaden Fanning was a bright light on this earth that now keeps watch over his mommies from up in heaven; I am so glad that I got a chance to meet him.  I will always look back over these wedding photos and remember his lively and contagious spirit. As Sarah and Shay learn how to live life without their Little Man, I pray that they will continue to be each other’s biggest source of love, support, and encouragement. And I once again thank you ladies for allowing me to be a part of your special day!