Katie and Ryan

Rehoboth Country Club Rehoboth, Delaware

Oh man where do I even start...I am at a loss for words!!! Sort of...I actually have a whole novel I could write...

I've had a few families in my photography career that started as complete strangers, hired us and well... Became like a family. A few have become lifelong clients and friends, joining us in our own life adventures, and they are incredible families that instantly became our New England families... for example, the Bobinskis.

I was hired 5+ years ago as a gift to Maura from her sweetheart sister, Helen, to photograph Maura, Jim, Katie, Megan and fur baby Lincoln. I instantly fell in love. They were so welcoming, kind, wholesome, genuine, fun... I don't have enough descriptive words to describe the Bobinskis. Just imagine one of the greatest families you've ever met on earth and you instantly asked, "are you guys thinking of adopting any adult children... Just throwing it out there..."...

In all honesty, without being a weirdo, this family means so much to me. Deeply. Their kindness and love runs deep with me. We came out to Connecticut 5 years ago knowing no one and nothing. They said, "come to our house, bring your children. Come see the horses and play with Lincoln". The genuine love and kindness this family has is without a doubt the most meaningful and heartfelt thing I've been lucky enough to have been gifted. Maura always kept in touch, sent Christmas cards and made it a point to know I was remembered. Being completely alone and isolated in a whole new world outside of Wisconsin was, well, lonely, and their generosity and kindness meant the universe to me.

A few years ago, I saw Katie and her long time sweetheart got engaged on Instagram. My heart swelled with pure joy. I was genuinely excited, like my cousin or someone very close to me was having this beautiful milestone moment. I never dreamt in a million years she would consider me to capture her wedding day. Heck, she lives in North Carolina and was planning a Delaware wedding. Katie and Ryan could have any photographer on the east coast capture their special day.

But they picked us.

As Katie's sister, Megan, stated, "my eyes are sweating".

To capture Katie and Ryan's Delaware wedding was something so deeply meaningful and heartfelt to me that I have no words for. To get to go to their little personal slice of heaven in Bethany beach, to see the sights Katie recommended and be a part of the most magical, fun, perfect, beautiful weekend... How do you put that into words?

Every detail, every aspect Katie and Ryan put into their wedding was a fairytale. Absolutely out of a movie. Not to mention Katie is a freak in the sheets... Excel that is. This bride is hired for every wedding planner in the industry looking. She was so perfectly organized and on the ball...I think her own wedding planner was like, “cool I'm just going to go enjoy this orange crush over here…”

In all seriousness, their wedding planner was probably my favorite human I met this year. I love her. She was on the ball and made their dreams a reality. While Katie is a genius and organized planner, Dana deserves an award for making this wedding go off without a hitch and making every aspect come to life! It was legit the wedding of the friggen century.

From the rehearsal dinner in downtown Bethany to the adorable personalized cups served with orange crush right after the ceremony...

To Megan having Luke (her boyfriend) run Katie's wedding shoes down the road for Ryan to write on like Katie dreamed of (and it being a total surprise to Katie)...

To the cutest little flower girl raising the roof with her dance moves Megan taught her…

To the wedding favors of liquid IV (ok they officially get an award on that idea)

To the marquee Smiths sign...

To the most tear jerking first look with a father

To the most unique first look with aunts in bathrobes…

To the choreographed first dance as husband and wife

To the sweetest father daughter dance ending in roll out the barrel...

To serving Dairy Queen blizzards in red DQ hats…

To Katie and Ryan singing in unison with the entire reception to Billy Joel's The Piano Man...

To the most beautiful, meaningful, heartfelt speeches from Katie’s dad about Katie opening a spa at the age of 10 with Bath and Body works merch and selling it to Megan to buy a Hollister sweatshirt

To all the girls singing Dancing Queen on stage…

This is where my eyes are sweating again...

My heart is full. I'm completely in love with this family... With Katie and Ryan... With all of it. I'm honored. I'm humbled. I have forever friends and another family I never knew I needed until I met them.

Katie and Ryan, you are love. You are kindness and caring. You are everything every one in love wants to be. You are surrounded by the greatest people on earth. You know how to throw one hell of a party. You also know what family, true love, friendship and kindness are and how important they are.

Congratulations to our new friends/CT family. We love you so much.

All our love, always,

Rayleen and Tim

Katie's Dress by White One in the style Orense from Bridal Trousseau

Bridesmaids dresses by v.chapman , Show Me Your Mumu , Reformation , Lulus , Amanda Uprichard

Wedding Planning by Dana Ferreri of Happy Hour Events

Photography by yours truly @Meraki Photo, Inc.

Videography by J. Turner Films (Josh and Kyle)

Music by the incredibly talented band, Bachelor Boys Band

Flowers by Floral Inspirations Florist & Flower Delivery

Hair by Fusion H20 || Ashley

Makeup by Dani Gaudiosi