It was a perfect day in beautiful Door County. And by perfect, we mean the lilacs were in bloom, the sun was shining, and there was a contagious energy of excitement buzzing around Sturgeon Bay! However, since Lydia & Jon's Boston wedding, the two of them and their families experienced an overload of emotions through the loss of Jon's father, Paul. This amazing couple planned not only one, but two wedding celebrations (one far sooner than the other in Jon's hometown) so Jon's Dad would be able to see him marry the love of his life. Shortly after Lydia & Jon's wedding last August we received the most heartbreaking news; they lost a man who loved SO big and brought sincerity & kindness to everyone he met. We know this to be true because the impact Paul had on us after getting to know him throughout Lydia & Jon's wedding is one we will never forget. Our hearts continue to go out to Jon and his family, but we also know Paul was still very much a part of Lydia & Jon's wedding celebration in Door County just two weeks ago. He was there in spirit and also represented in the monogram Lydia had sewn into her dress, in the special cufflinks Jon wore, and in the wedding ring worn by Jon's Mom, Kathy. We like to think of these memories as a celebration of Paul's life and know that Lydia & Jon and their families continue to feel his presence every single day.
Lydia & Jon waited to see each other until their ceremony, and seeing the way Jon lit up as Lydia was escorted down the aisle by her Dad, Cory, was as if this was the first time they would say "I do" to each other. Their bond is of the strongest we've witnessed and every chance they get to make one another smile, they take it. This, of course, makes everyone around them smile as well because Lydia & Jon are absolutely adorable together!! :) Cory, a Reverend at First Baptist Church, had the pleasure of marrying Lydia to Jon not once, but twice and this time they said their vows in their home church (which is also where Jon proposed)! Lydia & Jon's ceremony was emotional and heartfelt as they shared the same hand-written vows they had just spoken to each other ten months earlier in Boston.
To us Door County means gorgeous water & beaches, so we were thrilled when Lydia & Jon were up for heading over to a secret gem of a beach for portraits. The vibrant aqua of Lake Michigan paired with long grass and a secluded beach made for a dreamy setting, and we used every moment we had with these two and their fun wedding party! Afterwards, of course, they celebrated and boogied the night away with all of their guests. :)
We couldn't be happier for the life Lydia & Jon have ahead of them!! Photographing so many once-in-a-lifetime moments for their families has been one of our greatest honors. We couldn't be more thankful to have been behind the camera capturing all of the joy, tears, and hugs they shared with loved ones as they became Mr & Mrs Bugli... not once, but twice! Love these two to the moon!!
Love, Kelsy & Butch
