Evan waited patiently at the top of the stairs. He made pleasant conversation with Steve, as he waited to see his bride, Erin for the first time. Evan didn’t seem nervous. He just looked like he was ready to see his soon-to-be wife.

Erin walked up the stairs slowly, passing through the muted light filtering through the painted windows. She transitioned from light to shadow to light again, as she passed the two windows in the center of the stairs. She looked upward, trying to peer over the top of the stairs, anxious to see her soon-to-be husband. She kept walking up the stairs, each step upward another step toward their joint destiny.

Evan heard the stairs creek. He understood why Steve had stopped talking to him and instead was standing with his camera at the ready. Evan stood still with his back to the stairs, but his eyes were straining to see Erin as she walked up those stairs, even before she tapped him on the shoulder.

Erin reached the top of the stairs and tapped Evan on the shoulder. They were both smiling with excitement, even before Evan had completely turned around. When Evan turned and beheld Erin for the first time, his small smile erupted into a grin. He was transfixed by how beautiful she looked. They stood there smiling for a second, just drinking in the sight of each other on their wedding day, before they hugged.

We were lucky to witness this moment, and we’re incredibly grateful we were able to capture it. The rest of their wedding day was every bit as beautiful as this tiny moment. They were incredibly happy, and we were ecstatic to find a couple that couldn’t stop smiling throughout the day. There were so many little moments when we caught them smiling, lost in the joy of the day. Their joy was contagious, infecting their family and friends throughout the day, even infecting us. We couldn’t help but to smile while shooting this lovely wedding.