Rochester Sunken Gardens Wedding Photography

I’m so excited to share my favorites from Rachel and Rich’s wedding earlier this month! These two are such a fantastic couple, and it was a huge honor for me to photograph their wedding day. They said their I do’s at Rochester’s Jonathan Child House and their reception was at the Rochester Airport Marriot. Instead of me telling you a little about them, I’m going to let their own words to that – here’s their love story from each person’s perspective written before they tied the knot:

Her Story:
I like to say I met Rich "just in the nick of time" as our paths first crossed a mere 6 weeks before Rich graduated from Geneseo. Rich and I first connected at SUNY Geneseo's annual Relay for Life event, but we truly didn't strike up our first meaningful conversation until a week later when we bumped into one another at one of our favorite Geneseo watering holes (R.I.P Vital Spot). After enjoying a night out on the town in Geneseo, Rich and I bumped into each other once again as we both were walking out of the world's greatest bar (R.I.P. Inn Between). We shared a stroll back to our respective dorm/apartment, but our conversation lingered and we ended up standing right in front of Geneseo's legendary "Seuss Tree" for another 15 minutes just chatting. It was then that I asked Rich if he had a date for his fraternity's formal date party taking place later that weekend. When Rich responded no, i (boldly) let him know that "I was available." Rich took my bait and invited me as his date to the party. Just two days later I attended the Sig Nu "White Rose Formal" as Rich's date and was hooked. It didn't take long for me to realize what a kind, funny, loyal and (obviously)handsome guy Rich was - and I knew we had something special. A few weeks later we exchanged our first "I Love You's" and we have spent the past 8 years falling more in love with each other! While we have been living with one another and our amazing cat George for the past two years, before then our relationship had primarily been long distance. Lucky for us, the distance did indeed make our hearts grow fonder and I couldn't be more excited to officially become Rich's wife and spend the rest of our lives together.

His Story:
"She's too cute for you," was the voice I heard in my head after meeting Rachel for the first time at Relay for Life in Geneseo. She full of smiles and laughter, and is always so well put together. And then there's me--the grungy hippie frat boy in a Phish hoodie and backwards Sabres hat. It took a bit of courage to muster up the ability to say, "Hi, Rachel!" in The Vital (RIP) as she walked past me one night. I was so excited that this cute and funny girl was talking to me and was caught off guard when she said she was available to go with me to my fraternity's formal. Couldn't believe she'd want to go. With me! I even called her the next day just to make sure she was serious. The formal was a blast. This sweet and pretty girl seemed to be enjoying herself (particularly trash talking me as we played darts), and after our first date, I didn't hesitate to ask to see her again. We exchanged "I love you's" early in our relationship because we were and still are inseparable. Rach and Rich. Rich and Rach. We attended the same colleges (Geneseo and Syracuse), had the same majors (Communication and Public Relations), drove the same car (white Hyundai Accent hatchbacks made in the late 90's). It was destiny in the flesh. Perfect for each other. Graduate school and New York City couldn't keep us from being with one another, and I can't help but hold a wide grin whenever I think about our journey together. Eight years will soon transform into a lifetime together in marriage that I get to spend with my best friend and love of my life. I can't wait to be Rachel's husband, for her to be my wife, and for George to be our hairy, whiskered son.

Ahhh! If anyone else is silently crying after reading those sweet words – you’re not alone! Thank you Rachel and Rich for being SO WONDERFUL. Can't wait to see what the future holds for you two, I know it will be spectacular!