Jack + Shannon's Wedding

Shannon and I met in 2019 when we both started new jobs at the same company within months of one another. Our cubes were across the aisle from one another and we became good friends. Last year, before I quit to pursue photography and stay home with my son, I got to hear all about Shannon and Jack’s handfasting ceremony in Ireland on the Cliffs of Moher. I’m always team elopement so it was so fun to hear about it and see the INCREDIBLE photos. However, they always knew they wanted to celebrate with family and friends. Thanks to handfasting tradition, they had up to a year to make it official and this May they did just that!

Shannon, knowing my love for film, gave me freedom to photograph their wedding fully on 35mm film. I did bring my R6 — just in case — but shooting on film was a dream come true.

The details of the day reflected Jack and Shannon’s personal style and story with thrifted glasses for guests to use and take home, bud vases from their garden, and a ceremony spot with nautical motifs because Jack is a sailor and much of their story involved the water — Shannon’s vows also took a nautical theme.

Their ceremony was beautiful, sweet, and included personal vows and a special officiant — David Dastmalchian. And while a celebrity officiant is kind of cool, my favorite part was the inclusion of Jack and Shannon’s dogs, Luna and Luke.

Even though Shannon and Jack already had portraits taken the year before, we snuck away for some quick shots. Because let’s be real, Shannon’s handmade cape and linen embroidered dress needed to be documented.

And while the ceremony and details were incredible, my favorite part was their reception — since that was the purpose of the day — celebrating with the people they love. The rain couldn’t stop the fun. The food was catered by friends of theirs, spontaneous speeches filled the tent during dinner, and they ended the night dancing to the same band they heard playing the night Jack told Shannon he loved her.