To be honest, I wasn’t going to write a blog for Tom and Shannon, because Tom and Shannon’s wedding wasn’t proper ‘work’. I was a guest, so I just linked them up to their online gallery and was going to give them a bit of privacy since I wasn’t hired to be their personal paparazzi. However, after some thought, I felt like they really deserved to have a blog as well, to showcase, celebrate and tell an outsider’s and insider’s story of their beautiful wedding.
These two are very close friends of mine and as I mentioned, I was invited as a guest. My honey Jeremy and the Groom Tom have been best friends since high school, and Tom and Shannon asked Jeremy if he would officiate for them. Jeremy was incredibly honored, and it was kind of just decided that I would be taking pictures because, well, what else would I be doing? 
We showed up at Tom and Shannon’s a few hours early so that I could do Shannon’s hair. Us girls got all dolled up while the guys got dressed, and there was this moment of escalated emotion when everything suddenly came together – their two boys, Micah and Braden, were dressed, and Tom was finally in his suit, and you could see the change in him. It’s that moment of anticipation, of reality settling in that in a short time, he would be married. It’s something I’ve witnessed so many times with other couples, but watching them go through it (Shannon had the same moment just after I got her into the car) was heart-wrenching and thrilling in the best of ways. It’s nothing that I can properly describe; that moment is something best witnessed and felt…but I thought to try to describe it anyway.
We shooed the guys out a bit early so we could get Shannon into her dress without Tom seeing her before she arrived at their venue. Speaking of her dress, let me pause here momentarily to mention that it was a sleek, simple and darling dress that perfectly suited her personality, and she may have been the most beautiful bride I’ve ever seen (I might be biased). And her shoes! To die for. I drove, having to turn around once in that very comical way that hurried people do, to fetch the ‘kid wine’. Upon arriving, I started in with pictures of the centerpieces, which were beautifully done by a friend of Shannon’s – white hydrangeas with stems of some kind of purple brushy flower in short square vases, and some candid shots. They had a little time to schmooze with their friends and family, and then Jeremy got the signal that it was time to start the ceremony.
Micah poses for me!
Shannon gives the boys her and Tom's rings just before the ceremony.
Jeremy chatting with Tom's little brother Ryan.
Tom's mother talking to all the kids.
Shannon looking absolutely stunning, just before the ceremony.
Shannon's adorable niece.
Jeremy started with a blurb about how he and Tom “met over a bucket of chicken.” And that’s where he got choked up, approximately 2 sentences in. The chicken thing is true; they both worked at KFC. But Colonel Sander’s secret recipe isn’t what got J all emotional – being an only child, Tom is the closest thing that Jeremy has to a brother. They’re like Sam and Frodo.
The Ceremony starts...
The boys present the rings.
The Kiss begins! And...
...20 minutes later, The Kiss ends! (just kidding guys!)
Also, Tom and Shannon are two of our most favorite people in the whole world. And they are also one of The Most Perfect Couples in the whole world. I mean this with such fervent emotion that I can’t really describe it; you’d have to meet them to see what I mean. They are Peanut Butter and Jelly. Biscuit and Honey. Bacon and Cheeseburger. Chocolate and Caramel. And anything else that just magically sets perfectly together. Being so close to them, and seeing them so incredibly happy, and making this beautiful commitment to one another… well, it’s difficult not to get emotional. We love dem kids.
Tom's Mom hugging Shannon right after the ceremony.
Sneaking in a smooch.
From start to finish, the wedding was very intimate and emotional; a small affair with all their VIPs. I can’t praise the venue enough; The Wine Tap is beautiful, and if you are ever in Belleville, you absolutely MUST stop in. The Alsatian pizza is a HUGE win, but all of their flatbread pizzas are delicious (I tried every one!). The venue set a great backdrop but it was everything that went on inside that made the event so memorable – The Kiss was about 5 minutes long, the dancing was hilarious, the kids were amazing, the cakes were delicious (made by Shannon’s aunt if I remember correctly), the entire evening was just… perfect.
Beautiful family!
The Boys! Tom, Micah and Braden.
Tom and Jeremy
Me and Shannon
Sissy! LOL
First Dance
Shannon's brother and his daughter
In the foreground, Tom's brothers, Devon and Ryan, and Tom and Shannon dancing in the background.
I photographed the wedding in 4-inch heels and a little black dress so tight that I resembled sausage stuffed into casing, something that I’d never normally do (for obvious reasons, I’d hope). And I enjoyed every minute of being there, and was so grateful that I could give them pictures that told their story. Tom and Shannon, we love you, we are so happy for you, and we are so grateful to be friends with you. We can’t wait until our next Wine/Kinect party! xo
All Our Best,
Sam and Jeremy
P.S. Your love is beautiful.
