Steps

It is a joyous day for a 9 year old gleefully serving as a bridesmaid at her Mom’s wedding. So many silly moments playing with her two cousins who are serving as dual flower girls. She is donning a perfectly tailored miniature bridesmaid dress that entitles her to full membership in her Mom’s grown up best friends group as well. She is the youngest bridesmaid that I have ever photographed.

After the exchange of vows and rings, the groom surprises everyone as he pauses the ceremony just before the kiss and gently steps directly to her.

He bends down and speaks softly and solely to her… the child that will be his beautiful stepdaughter in a moment… his only child. I can’t hear a word of what he is saying, but I know what he means… and more importantly what she means to him as he clasps that special bracelet around her tiny wrist.