Monica and Kris

It doesn't seem that long since my in-laws were kidding me about the length of time it took to make up my mind to marry Jackie (five years!).  

And when Monica told me that it had been 16 years since she first met Kris, I thought I might finally have ...  vindication?   But the story is a little more complex than that.

Monica and Kris have been best friends forever. Many years ago, when Kris was unattached, Monica dutifully arranged a date with a lady friend.  Why didn't Monica go out with him, you ask?   She already had a boyfriend...

But before the big date, Monica's relationship ended.   Her lady friend must have seen some indication of the future love-connection because she asked Monica if she'd rather take the date with Kris herself.  Dutifully, Monica allowed her friend to go with Kris as arranged -- and now the roles were reversed:  Kris was attached and Monica wasn't!   

It went on like that for a few years before they were finally un-attached at the same time and the rest, as they say, is history!

For her wedding, Monica chose the Concord Trinity church in south St. Louis, where the lights were set low and the pastor allowed no flash and no close proximity to the altar during the ceremony.  Fortunately, modern digital cameras excel in this kind of situation -- the latest camera bodies operate well under low-light conditions and vibration-reduction telephoto lenses minimize any camera shake from long distances.  Even though the results are a bit more contrasty than when using a flash, the images can be quite dramatic and powerful.

Monica and Kris have just spent the last week in Hawaii on their honeymoon and will return this week to their new life in Iowa. I hope you guys had a great time in the sun and fun (we were jealous!) 

Thanks so much for allowing Love and Life Photography to be a part of the celebration and best wishes for the future.