Big River, RI | Irene & Mike

Irene was first described to me by my boyfriend/her best friend, Pete, as a quirky lady with the biggest heart in the world. And Mike was described to me as the ONLY person who was solid enough to deserve Irene. Based on what I've seen and heard about them over the few years he and I have been dating, these descriptions are accurate.

They asked Pete to officiate their very last-minute and very intimate wedding ceremony, which would take place in a clearing in the woods of Big River, followed by a back-yard cook-out. I was so thankful that I had this date available to offer my photography services.

The forecast said 100% chance of rain all day. I packed my camera rain guard, questioned how much I cared if my camera got destroyed, took a shot of whiskey, and proceeded to do my best to capture their soaking wet wedding.

I, along with 30 or so of their closest friends, walked 10-15 minutes down a path with zero hope of staying dry. Then, we stood in the pouring rain for 15 minutes while Irene and her closest ladies made their way too. Laughter and smiles covered the soaking wet faces of everyone there.

With rain dripping down his back from the edge of the umbrella covering Irene and Mike, Pete married them. The rain was so loud that it was almost impossible to hear what he was saying even from 5 feet away. I was thankful that he had practiced what he was going to say with me many times leading up to it because I wouldn't have wanted to miss the heart-felt words that he said.

My viewfinder was fogging up and I wasn't entirely sure if any of the photos were going to come out in-focus because of the rain distorting the front of my lens. By the time I got to the car, I was so wet it looked like I had just jumped in the ocean. Still, I was giddy with adrenaline. Watching all of those people brave the torrential rain to witness two people get married was amazingly beautiful. If Irene and Mike didn't know how loved they were before, I'm sure they do now, and they certainly deserve it.

What a soggy and magical day it was.