Meagan and Massimo, they burn bright. People are drawn to them, encircled by their warmth, fueled by their energy, creativity.  Their wedding was packed with friends, all wildly funny, from coast to coast. There were three days of cabins, rivers, fire pits, and non-stop shenanigans; all the ingredients for the best kind of wedding. Did I mention the invitation reply card was a mad lib?

LOVE LOUD was the theme of Meagan and Massimo’s wedding. Be yourself and be passionate. They embody this, as do their friends and family. Occasionally, we have the opportunity to photograph a wedding where every single guest is present. They’re engaged, they’re focused. They get together to move chairs for the ceremony or climb trees to hang more cowbells. During the toasts they hear every word, absorb every moment. They are being their best version of themselves, a friend and a witness to this very intimate event. It’s a nice thing to see, it’s reassuring. It’s good people.

After Fridays welcome bash, Saturday started quietly. A blessing ceremony with the girls, red string bound from wrist to wrist as each took a turn offering honest, heartfelt advice; both a balm for and a distraction from the rain situation. Rainy weddings are probably always disappointing, but in this case there wasn’t really an alternative to the  redwood-lined meadow or the apple orchard strung with lights. Meagan and Massimo held their ground, they were getting married under the towering redwoods rain or no rain.

It rained. A lot. Then the sun came out.

Which was perfect, really.

And it was a fine day for a wedding.

Eleven boys, everyone like a brother. The only serious look we saw on their faces all weekend.