Mariko and Brandon

This past weekend, Alyssa and I met up with Mariko and Brandon before their beautiful wedding at the Arrowhead Golf Course. We started off with Mariko getting ready...totally gorgeous bride in a stunning dress:

Brandon stood with his "best girl," for the ceremony - and check out the white suit! I know when guys go to the tuxedo places they'll tell you things like, "wear an off-white shirt with a dark suit to accentuate the bride's dress, yadda yadda...," but Brandon looked awesome in white, and I think it only helped Mariko's gorgeous dress really stand out against the beautiful outdoor fall palette. Good call, my man.

And, apparently, mom approved as well :)!

Mariko walked down the aisle with her grandfather who made a long, hard trip to be there for his girl - and isn't that what weddings are all about? The whole scene was amazingly touching.

The ceremony was short and sweet, and the weather was absolutely perfect. Western New York is a wonderful place to be as Summer gives way to Fall.

I love the "post-kiss" celebration!

And then, of course, Alyssa and I "borrowed" the bride and groom after their formal and family shots for a few, relaxed minutes alone.

We take tons of detail shots at our receptions - but I kept coming back to the cake this time - we loved the color scheme and the spun sugar flowers - Alyssa took the first and I took the second:

At one point during the reception, I saw Mariko and Brandon leaning up against a post on the porch area, and it was just so romantic...I glanced around for Alyssa as I started to shoot...but of course, there she was, already all over it and taking some long exposures from out on the patio. That's the wonderful thing about getting to shoot with someone you trust and respect as much as I do Alyssa - she makes me a better photographer every time we go out, and she still surprises me with her unique ideas and imaginative ways to show a couple's love through their photographs.

Thank you, Mariko and Brandon, for having us at your wedding!