Chris and Dawn met at roulette table #12 at the Borgata Casino in Atlantic City.
It was a gamble both were willing to take and it paid off in ways that no casino could ever dole out from any cashier's booth.
They fell in love and got married .
Chris has been a great friend for about 8 years. We met when we were both working for a TV station here in Tampa Bay. He's a great reporte and is now reporting and anchoring for KSTP in Minneapolis. I was honored when he asked me to come to Atlantic City to photograph his wedding to Dawn on October 4.
I've been photographing weddings for long enough that I don't feel stressed about shooting them, but when it's your friend's wedding, you want to do a great job. There is a little stress involved.
The easy part about shooting this for them was that they're both great looking people. Dawn is stunning, petite, dark hair and eyes. Smoldering, yet endearingly sweet.
All the girls at the station adored Chris. I remember one woman saying one day when he came back from a storm story that he "looked like a little puppy dog that you just want to hug". He's the kind of man that everyone should have for a friend. He's loyal and open, incredibly fun.
This was bound to be a memorable weekend.
One of my favorite photos from the wedding preparations is this one of Dawn's dad in the backround with Dawn and her two sisters in the foreground. I think it's an heirloom that should be in the family for generations.
I think the photographs will tell you the story better than I can write it.
Chris waiting for his beautiful bride to walk into his life. The poster behind him is the one friends had unfurled while Dawn and he flew overhead in a helicopter. That's a proposal!
Dawn and Chris pose in the setting sunlight.
First Dance.
Chris pulled some strings and got the Borgata Casion to give us permission to shoot photographs at the roulette table where they met. They are surrounded by friends and family. One guy who said he had just lost $5,000. at that table refused to move so we could take the photos. Security escorted him from the area.
