I have loved watching the Grove family grow.  I consider myself a part of their lives for two years now.  From maternity pictures that we snuck in just before Franklin made his arrival to his newborn session and a three, six, nine, one year session, family mini/engagement, and now their nuptials.  When I count my blessings I count Jenn & Alex for contacting me all that time ago and trusting me with some of their most precious memories.  In fact, I walked into their house and it took my breath away because all of their beautiful images were in collages all over their living room.  Every wall seemingly had a piece of my art displayed.  It was so cool seeing years of imagery as their family grew.

But this isn't what this post is about.  This is about Alex, Jenn, and Franklin and the love that this little family shares.  They had the absolute sweetest ceremony.  We had remnants of Hurricane Gordon affecting the central Illinois area, and what would have been a beautiful garden ceremony in the Scovill Gardens Gazebo turned out an amazing, intimate candlelit ceremony.  Jenn & Alex invited their closest family and friends and everyone fit wonderfully in the Scovill House as her mom wed Alex to his bride.

I have a favorite of every wedding I photograph.  Most times it's the ceremony.  And while I loved Jenn & Alex's ceremony, my favorite part was witnessing their vows, which they decided to share with just each other and Franklin because they were so personal.  Having known them for years and being able to photograph the most intimate, special part of the day has tears in my eyes as I write this.  The Grove's are such an amazing couple, I am ever so thankful to have been a part of their wedding day.

Lastly, HUGE shout out to Breath of Yoga STL owner/HGP's little sister/Little Lange's Aunt Kate.  My assistant wound up sick the night before the wedding.  Aunt Kate answered her phone on her day off at 7:15 and hit the road by 7:45 to assist me for the wedding and setup a majority of the candles for the ceremony.  Turns out she speaks chocolate fondue too, and got the machine working again in time for the ceremony.  Aunt Kate saves the day in more ways than one!