Caitlin & Ben | Plum perfect » Heather Cook Elliott Photography

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Thinking about Caitlin & Ben’s day makes me smile. All the usual suspects were there – beautiful flowers, delightful pops of color, fun paper details, a gorgeous set of venues – but ultimately, it was the people that I met during the day that helped to clarify for me the meaning of life and love and friendship and family. I suppose every wedding does a little bit of that, but Caitlin & Ben’s was just a notch above on the thankfulness scale. I learned just a few days before the wedding that Ben’s dad was ill and his presence was in question. The wedding day dawned warm and hopeful and Ben’s dad did attend and fully participate in, rather triumphantly I thought, the entire day. I knew his presence was a tiny gift in the midst of unanswered questions and probably quite a bit of soulful pleading with the divine. Sadly, just a few days after releasing the full set of photos to Caitlin & Ben I learned he had passed from their lives. I share these very personal details because I know that inevitably feelings of loss will tag along with their wedding memories and photos and stories for the foreseeable future. I think time is the only thing with the strength to soften such a hard blow to the heart, but I will make my little offering to Ben & Caitlin anyway.

Caitlin & Ben ~ your wedding felt to me to be a day long poem, a song, a hymn to love. I felt every guest and family member to be truly present in a very deep way, the two of you magically more present than them all. In your photos I see something like the opposite of sadness, a bit of something I can only identify as grace. Or maybe its just True Love. I saw each of you brilliantly coming through in your details and interactions, your bright personalities dosed with a little romanticism. Without further ado, Caitlin & Ben’s plum perfect day:

Caitlin's bright plum shoes

From the Delafield Hotel we moved to St. John’s Nobel Victory Chapel, one of my all-time favorite locations for a wedding. The stained glass and the classic red front doors are perfect for photographs but also for framing little moments between people. We lengthened the day by going to Lapham Peak where I could play with a few of their whimsical details and arrived at Bristlecone Pines in time to enjoy the cocktail hour…and the candy hour, too.

My favorite tattoo. Ever. Indeed, you must follow your heart.

Cailtin & Ben's big puppies were featured on the place cards.

During the toasts great streams of warm sunset light flowed in over Caitlin & Ben’s shoulders so I couldn’t resist having them take a moment alone with the setting sun. But first, their toasts were each and every one touching and smart and funny. I love how every emotion from shock to gratitude to love played out so openly on their faces as they listened.