Anna & John

The save-the-date had a watercolor of the clubhouse on it, so the building was a character from the start. Anna's bridesmaids wore matching blue floral robes, with a flower girl tucked into the front of the group shot. Her gown was clean silk with a deep V and a long lace-edged veil, and 2 bridesmaids knelt to straighten the train on the carpet while the window light did the rest. Down a hall with a black and white checkered floor, John and his groomsmen lined up in navy suits.

The ceremony was inside a church with dark carved wood and tall arches. Anna walked in on the arm of a gray-haired man and walked out with John into a crowd already on its feet. Then everyone piled onto a white trolley for the ride to the club. The full wedding party posed on the lawn with the clubhouse's arched colonnade stretching behind them, and I took the couple for a slow walk across the open lawn under the big trees while her veil trailed behind.

Inside, the ballroom glowed gold under chandeliers, with tables full of hydrangea and white roses and menus set at every place. The toasts landed well, and Anna and John laughed and clinked glasses at the head table. They cut a tiered white cake together, then the party moved outside to a band shell with a curved wooden ceiling. A live band kept the floor full, and at one point John spun Anna so hard she threw her head back laughing.