The Ertz Wedding

Shelby & Dalton | Sunset View Resort | Big Lake, Alaska |

What an honor it is to photograph weddings. Its a landmark moment and a life defining time. To witness the promise and the love is always very special. But especially poignant with this family. I have been with this crew to photograph all of Shelby’s siblings weddings… and many of her cousins. It was almost like photographing a wedding for a close friend or family member.

Shelby was the perfect laid back bride. So amazingly calm. So freaking beautiful. It showed in her relaxed genuine expressions. Each one more stunning than the last.

This was, however, the very first time I met Dalton and his Family. And they are every bit as amazing as the McDaniels! It will be a perfect joining.

Shelby and the girls were getting ready in one of Sunset View’s gorgeous suites. It was a gorgeous place to get pampered!

What a treat to have the fireweed in bloom!

Shelby’s grandpa was remembered on a pendant around her flowers.

Shelby’s dad was led to him for his first glimpse of his baby girl ready for her wedding.

Shelby had a special message inside his tie as a gift.

With the rain everything gets a bit tricky in an outdoor wedding. The groomsmen gave each arriving guest a length of paper towel to dry their seat.

Ceremony

And then he saw his bride. And the tears came shortly after!

Three generations of beauty!

Loud cheers were heard as DJ Greg Porter announced the couple.

And then they went into their first dance.

A slideshow was played with photos of each of them growing up and creating their relationship together.

There were smiles and tears while they enjoyed the photos.

Toasts….

… ending with Shelby’s Dad. He just glowed as he spoke of his daughter and how happy he was for her.

And then he invited her into the father daughter dance.

The Mother Son dance was just as sweet.

We love photos of people taking photos and enjoying moments with their phone cameras… so when Dalton’s Grandpa switched back to a text we didn’t notice and we accidentally got a photo of this text… “Grandpa is so glad and blessed” and we loved it so much.

You can tell he loves his grandson deeply.

The dancing led of with so much energy!