Sitting down to prepare this blog post makes us feel a little nervous. Not the photo part - feeling pretty good about that (this heartthrob couple makes our cameras click spontaneously when they enter the frame). The written part gives us pause. Merritt is a published author, has countless bylines in big magazines, and is a wit bot of infinite bon mots. Moreover, Brian is like a genius in everything - history, birds, preservation law, crabbing - thereby rendering Google obsolete when we can just text him a picture of a nondescript brown bird and he writes back excitedly with the name and some fun facts. Sooooo, a little intimidating to write when the readers are writers and such... but, since we dare not bug them on their honeymoon to do our jobs for us, (1000 words, please?), onward we go!

Okay. Maybe after a bit of a break to cry our eyes out first. This isn't easy. We're reviewing the photos of the "first look" on their wedding day in the garden at the Outdoor Art Club and it makes a confetti canon out of the box of tissues that was on our desk. Awwwww... guys!!!! Now, that's love!!! Merritt strolled down the garden in her gorgeous white dress, and Brian waited under a tree after having just read Merritt's letter to him. Their expressions when they saw each other for the first time that day were indescribable. They lit up with pure joy. There were tears, twirls (Brian checks out Merritt's... dress!), and belly laughs that utterly erased any nervousness they felt before that moment. Merritt found her hanky, and after daubing her eyes, helped Brian dry his. Sooooo sweet!

It was a perfect summer day, the world was saying to them, "you can have it all!" Bystanders shouted well-wishes as they strolled down Mill Valley, and just when we started to think that it might be a good idea to put on some sunscreen, we plunged into the cool shade of a redwood grove, redolent of dewy ferns and moss, at Old Mill Park. After family photos, these two traipsed away further into the woods and had some quiet moments together before their ceremony under the hush of the giant trees.

Their wedding ceremony was held at the Community Church of Mill Valley. A loving, spirit-filled ceremony, it celebrated these two and their commitment to each other with unadorned beauty. Merritt + Brian make friends wherever they go, and are adored for their kindness and generosity of spirit, evidenced by the rows of guests with beaming faces. We couldn't wait to contribute our voices of support, and family and friends sang along with the folk musicians to the Shaker song, "Simple Gifts." Tears flowed out again (and made our viewfinders misty there for a minute too). With bands exchanged and a hearty kiss, these two lovebirds left the church with huge grins and were ready to party (but first Brian had to grab his giant bell... see next post).

Merritt + Brian, it has been such an honor to watch you two flourish with such joy together these last few years. We love you both so much and are CRAZY happy for you both!

Can we just send you your photos already... because we are running out of tissues over here! Check back on the blog soon for more photos. There was a parade, dancing, goofiness, and all the good times that could be contained under one crocodile gabled roof!