Rachel, Joe and I share at least one love. That of travel and of the journey itself. I thought I had been to quite a few places in my young age until I heard the officiant, Dr. Rick Axtell of Centre College (my favorite officiant, by the way. I love shooting Centre weddings!), speak of the places they have lived and seen. One thing I've noticed with people who relish travel and culture is that they tend to shy away from what many in the U.S. see as normal. Not because it is normal, but because they differ from perceived normality and share the confidence to harness that uniqueness. Rachel and Joe celebrated their individuality and showcased who they are, tradition be damned! Rachel and Joe had a very simple and offbeat Jewish ceremony. Rather than waiting to see each other until the ceremony, they spent the entire day together preparing the ceremony grounds at Shaker Village for their wedding. I found this to be wonderful. Preparing for their wedding further illustrated their love of the journey. Instead of allowing others to decorate and set up, Rachel and Joe became every part of their wedding day, from preparation to celebration.
This wasn't all that separated Rachel and Joe from most weddings I have happily observed in the past. Joe wore a nicely fitted suit. Rachel rocked a beautifully cut pink dress. There was no wedding party. There was no bouquet. No boutonniere. Rachel and Joe walked down the aisle toward their new life together. The cake was not cut with huge affair. Rachel and Joe's wedding ceremony was simply about them, and the love between them. Thank you so much, Rachel and Joe, for letting me be a part of your beautiful wedding!
If you are wondering where Rachel gets her strikingly beautiful looks, look no further than her mother, Ann!
