Photos by Foxlight Studios

***SCROLL TO THE END for a Personal BTS Photo***

While it’s true that every bride is beautiful and each couple is special, this particular bride is near and dear to my heart…because she’s my cousin!

I was already an “adult” when Danielle came into my life. She was adorable and precocious, easy to talk to, quick to laugh, and inquisitive about everything. She loved my nose ring and hearing stories about Las Vegas, and despite a pretty significant age difference and living on different coasts, I felt instantly bonded to her. As the daughter of my first cousin, we share a bond that is one part familial, one part friendship. I’m close enough to be family, but cool enough to be a friend. Over the years we traded phone calls, MySpace messages, texts, and emails. I have watched from afar as she grew from a little girl to a college student, then to a beautiful young lady, and now a bride-to-be. Which wasn’t actually a surprise! From the first time I heard Jared’s name, I sensed that there was something special about him.

Danielle and Jared met over a decade ago. They immediately became friends, often hanging out in a large group of people. The timing, however, was never right. They were too young, dating other people, and not quite ready for forever. Then, five years into their friendship, they both found themselves single at the same time. All of the reasons that kept them apart suddenly faded, and their relationship became serious quickly as they bonded over their mutual love of the beach, dogs, and stand-up comedy. Nothing is as important to Danielle as family, and Jared fits right in, proposing to Danielle shortly after their fourth anniversary while in Turks and Caicos with her family. They will be married on Long Island in October of 2022.

I could not be luckier to bear witness as she goes dress shopping, and I love answering questions about venues and menus flowers, and photography.

She may not be my full-time bride, but watching and working with her has been a joy. Please leave them a note of congratulations!

Always…a

And just for fun…a throwback to the last wedding we were at together. How Danielle has changed from being a Jr. Bridesmaid to a Bride!