The morning of Michelle and Steve’s wedding, some of their friends were jokingly placing bets on just how many times Michelle would cry that day. There was little doubt that she would, of course, and whatever the highest estimate was - Steve guessed the actual number would be higher. Not because Michelle’s more emotional than anyone else, but because she is so completely genuine. When she’s feeling something, she feels it fully. And if you spend just a few minutes with her family, you can see that is a family trait. This is a family without artifice. If anyone was going to cry more happy tears than Michelle, it was probably going to be her parents. Or maybe her grandparents. Or her sister or brother. And, in truth, Rob and I cried some happy tears for Michelle and Steve too. Really, I think you would have to be made of stone to not tear up at their wedding.

Because theirs was a day that no one will soon forget. From their incredibly sweet first look to their heartfelt hand-written vows, Michelle and Steve laid bare the way they feel about each other and it was amazing to watch. It’s not often you get to see two people so perfectly matched, so completely in sync and that made the celebration even more joyous and beautiful. The setting, the decor, the tables, the flowers were jaw-droppingly beautiful (not a surprise since Michelle has organized countless weddings at the NYC hotel where she works), but they didn’t for one minute distract from the magic that was watching Michelle and Steve together. When they are together, you can see them just kind of melt into each other’s arms. They are free to be themselves. And that’s exactly what they wanted for their guests that day: a wedding that was romantic but relaxed, where their guests would be comfortable. Theirs would be a wedding were everyone was free to be themselves, to cry happy tears and dance like crazy. And at the end of the night, after Michelle and Steve had no doubt greeted everyone in that tent with big hugs and contagious smiles, they walked out under a sea of sparklers held by all the people they love most. And there wasn’t a dry eye to be found.

Sole East: Montauk, New York: Michelle & Steve's Wedding

Robert & Kathleen PhotographerS