We’ve got a love story today that’ll take you back to your childhood, friends. Back to Roger and Anita. Back to Disney. Back to Pongo. Back to Perdita. Back to an evening of chance and happenstance, when a four-legged friend was the beginning of something new, something fresh, a real-life romance. It didn’t happen in London and the dog wasn’t spotted with patches of black and of white, but it did happen under the stars, and, like the movie, the timing was oh-so right.
He was out for a walk. One evening. It was late. When he saw her: Lily. A dog, not a human. She had a scared help me! look on her face, but not to worry, friends, Calvin, the canine companion was coming to the rescue. He checked Lily’s neck. She had a tag. He held her collar. And he soothed her while he made the call, the one that was supposed to get Lily home. To reunite loved one with owner. He dialed. One touch of the keypad after another.
And it rang. And rang. And rang again. It rang once more until there was a voice on the other end.
Take this lovely girl out for coffee
sometime, for sixty minutes… or more.
He did. And, this weekend, he married her at his childhood home, a certified historic one built in 1904, ten years before Arizona statehood. She and her bridesmaids giggled in the halls he ran down as a little boy. He saw her for the first time and committed his life to her on the front lawn where he spent so much of his.
Her dad, a photographer, wasn’t there to walk her down the aisle because death took him all too soon — her mom and brother walked in his stead — but she wore his wedding band around her wrist as a bracelet so he could still be there with her every step of the way. We thought of him with every click of the shutter, too, friends, because the only honor higher than if he would’ve hand-picked us himself was his daughter choosing us, in part, to honor him.
Hannah, someone once told us, “Your kindness and graciousness makes it easy to love to love you.” Right back at you, girl. There couldn’t be two attributes that describe you and Calvin better. We love you both with our whole heart and hope you know from the bottom of ours what a true honor, pleasure, and privilege it was for us to serve two people who don’t just understand and demonstrate joyfulness. But who define it.
the creative team
Bride’s Dress: Destiny’s Bride • Bride’s Ring Band: Moore & More • Bride’s Ring: Family Heirloom • Bride’s Shoes: Vince Camuto • Bridesmaids’ Dresses: David’s Bridal • Catering: Pork on a Fork • Cigar Bar: Don’s on Central • Day of Coordinator: Ali Adams • Dessert: Nothing Bundt Cake • DJ: Jimmie Mckenzie • Floral Design: Angelic Grove • Furniture Rental: Classic Party Rentals & Angelic Grove • Groom’s Ring: Moore and More • Groomsmen’s Tuxedo/Suit: Brother’s Tailors & Clothing Co • Groom’s Tuxedo/Suit: The Clotherie • Hair Stylist: Erin Fink • Invitations: Minted • Linens: Classic Party Rentals • Makeup Artist: Arielle Rondeau • Officiant: Rabbi John Linder • Photographers: Amy & Jordan • Quartet: World Life Music
Our Gear: Canon 5D Mark III • Canon 50 1.2 • Canon 85 1.2 • Canon 70-200 2.8 • Canon 100 2.8 • Canon 24-70 2.8 • Canon Speedlite 600 EX-RT