Bernadette and Haydn are an extraordinary couple that you can’t help but love, and at their wedding all of that was totally clear. Haydn’s toasts at the rehearsal dinner had me (and everyone else) crying. They are two fantastic people with two fantastic families.

I felt like I already knew Bernadette’s family and Haydn’s parents from photographing Bernadette’s grandparent’s 50th wedding anniversary party, and I was excited to spend another day with them. The three Bernadettes have an amazing ability to make you feel like part of the family, and I loved that so many people at the wedding said just that–that they felt adopted into Bernadette’s family. I’ve only met her grandmother twice, and her mom a handful of times, but I’m already ready to call them my own!

I met Bernadette right after we launched our wedding site, and she jump-started our business in the biggest way. We are hugely grateful for all of the couples she has sent our way, and I wanted to photograph the rehearsal dinner as a small token of our giant thanks. (And I’ll use pretty much any excuse to hang out with Bernadette, Haydn, and their families.)

The rehearsal was at a park in downtown Colorado Springs. Haydn’s dad was the officiant for the wedding, which I thought was a great touch!

I love how Haydn poses for pictures. (And that he is holding two things every groom needs: cell phone and Red Bull.)

There was a rumor going around that Rae, one of Bernadette’s maids of honor, doesn’t photograph well. I have to disagree.

The groomsmen had a train behind them. Which made Will happy when he saw this shot:

Speaking of portraits…Taylor (the flower girl and Will’s buddy at our “Cooking Club” meetings) saw me taking pictures and decided that I must want to take pictures of her, too. And she busted out some serious poses.

Watch out America’s Top Model!

Bernadette and her momma:

Haydn and his momma:

Bernadette and Haydn crack me up. They are always dropping in something funny or unexpected. Like at the rehearsal “hand-off” there was some question over what everyone would do. As Bernadette gave directions, Haydn improvised and jumped on Jim, Bernadette’s step-dad!

At the rehearsal dinner, the laughter continued when Haydn’s dad, Bill, broke out the karaoke machine!

And we were treated to some awesome Cher “Just Jack” from Will and Grace style (complete with hair flipping):

Check out the summer lovin’ going on in this photo!

And then we went home to get ready for the wedding the next day!