Lindsay and Michael Get Married

Last weekend I had the absolute pleasure of photographing my cousins(-in-law?) Lindsay and Michael’s wedding in New Jersey. What I loved about the whole experience was that I am certain that even if we hadn’t been related at all, it would’ve been exactly the kind of wedding I would’ve loved to photograph. Michael and Lindsay… I mean, what can I say about them? They’re just so talented and stylish and graceful and humble and kind…. and most importantly, so truly, genuinely in love. You can see it in the way they look at each other, the way they touch and move around each other, the way they talk about each other and to each other, the things they notice and love about each other. It was so encouraging and inspiring to be involved in the wedding of people like Michael and Lindsay. And to have the privilege of documenting it? Well, that was just the icing on the cake. :)

There were many things to love about this wedding, from the yellow-and-gray color scheme to the classic and understated attire to the gorgeous decor full of elegant and fantastically executed DIY elements. Not to mention how wonderful it was to see two families come together despite the distances and differences between them. We were welcomed into the fold as one of their own, and I am honored to call all of the Lapinskis and the Trinkers I hadn’t yet met my family now.

Before we get to the photos, I just have to do a little bragging and shameless plugging. Michael is an incredibly gifted artist who has invested a lot of time and energy along with two of his friends into producing a new comic series called Feeding Ground. The first of four issues is being released this month, and they’ve already received an amazing review. Archaia provides the following storyline summary: “This new series is ripped right out of the real-life drama unfolding on the Mexico-Arizona border. [It] reaches a large and diverse audience no matter your personal point of view on the issue. In this fictitious story, a famine caused by Blackwell Industries drives Diego Busqueda, a noble ‘coyote,’ to lead a band of Mexican border crossers across the unforgiving Devil’s Highway, a desert cursed with blistering days and deadly nights. Back home, Diego’s daughter Flaca discovers that something hungrier prowls the factory fields. Stalked and persecuted, can the Busqueda family maintain their dreams of immigration or will the horrors of the desert tear them apart?” Sounds pretty rad, huh? Best part is, Michael is doing ALL of the illustration for the series, so I couldn’t help but include a sampling of some of his work, which you can find more of on his personal blog. And if you’re a comic book lover, keep your eyes out for this one in your local store, and if you don’t find it, request it!

Okay, NOW onto the wedding! Many of the guests stayed at the Minerals Resort and Spa in Vernon, New Jersey, which is also where everyone started the day. The weather was absolutely perfect, with that first breath of crisp fall air that I adore so much.

Naturally, a lot of the paper elements of the day were designed by Lindsay and Michael themselves. Loved it!

Lindsay’s dress was absolutely stunning. It suited her style so perfectly… a great balance of elegance, simplicity, and a little bit of whimsy and fun.

I was so thankful that Lindsay and Michael decided to do a first look. It was a really special moment, and I feel like they really got to savor it because it was just the two of them (well, and me, of course). I loved that Michael really took the time to soak in Lindsay’s beauty. He noticed every detail, from the way the ribbon around her hair draped on the back of her neck to the way her decision to forgo a necklace highlighted the simple beauty of her clavicle and shoulders. I was really impressed!

On our way outside to do portraits, we walked across a balcony overlooking a huge pool down below. As soon as we came through the doors, everyone down below began to look and point, and all the sudden they burst into thunderous applause and cheers. It was all I could do not to burst into tears, I was so overwhelmed with joy! I can’t even imagine what it was like for Lindsay and Michael. :)

Stunning, stunning, STUNNING.

Hellooooooo, Vogue!

As we were getting ready to take group formals, I noticed out of the corner of my eye a kite in the sky. As if I could pass THAT up for a photo op! Thanks for letting us borrow your kite, ever-so-kind hotel guests. :)

The arms cradling their program belong to Michael’s absolutely precious grandmother, whose life motto is “Sharing is Caring.” Loved her.

Lindsay’s niece Ava totally sprinted down the aisle. It was awesome.

Have you ever seen a more radiant bride?

My father-in-law Dave did a reading during the ceremony. I just love the look on Lindsay’s face here.

The golf club had these carts ready for us to drive anywhere we wanted to take more post-ceremony photos. One of my favorite moments of the day!

Ava and Michael’s nephew Peter were immediate friends.

The epitome of classic beauty:

Just a few of the fabulous details:

Lindsay and Michael chose Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros’s “Home” as their first dance song. Um, LOVED IT.

Lindsay surprised Michael with a groom’s cake in the shape of Spiderman’s head. Appropriate for an avid comic book lover. :)

This is soooooo The Godfather. There was a whole group of men (including Michael!) who smoked cigars by the fire pit outside throughout the night.

Funny story: so originally, for the getaway, there were supposed to be a bunch of people holding sparklers around them. Unfortunately, the sparklers had the shortest life span of all time, so by the time Lindsay and Michael ran through them, most of them had already burned down. But I think the fact that they’re holding their own works just as well, if not better!

Congratulations Lindsay and Michael! Love you guys so much and hope you’re having so much fun on your honeymoon! You deserve it!

And finally, the slideshow. Set, of course, to the FANTASTIC Edward Sharpe song that was their first dance song. Enjoy!