You would think that after photographing as many weddings as I have in the past twelve years, there wouldn't be too many things that could make me tear up in the middle of a hotel ballroom. I've seen emotional toasts, I've seen touching relationships play out, and I've heard many a story of absent friends and relatives. So I must admit to being surprised that I cried--not once but twice--at the wedding of Geoff Embler and Besty Andres.

And as far as marriage bellwethers go, that's probably a good thing.

Betsy and Geoff got married on a beautiful November Saturday in Georgetown, the kind of day where the trees in nearby Rose Park are alive with color and the streets are full of pre-holiday shoppers. Though it had rained pretty heavily in the days preceding, I knew we'd be okay on this particular afternoon. I could just feel it. Then again, you don't need a Bob Ryan five-day forecast to know how a day will go after you walk into a bridal suite and there's a huge bouquet of flowers sitting on a desk bearing a one-line inscription: "I can't wait to marry you today." That's a no-brainer.

I tease him now (which is okay because everyone, it seems, teases him) but the Romeo who wrote that one-line note is not your typical leading man. He's not boastful or cocky but quiet and exceedingly polite. His South Carolina manners are ever-present. Wonderfully unassuming, Geoff ("Bean," as all his friends call him, a college nickname that stuck) is simply one of the nicest guys you'll ever meet.

I tend to wear my liberalism on my sleeve and Geoff hails from that other party, but he's such a gentleman that we could talk for days and never realize that we had different views. In fact, he told me the day of his wedding, "You know, I really like all the stuff you post on your Facebook profile. it's always interesting to read." As he said this, I began frantically racking my brain, thinking of all the quasi-partisan (okay, maybe not quasi) things I've probably written there. But Geoff doesn't care. He loves an intellectual or political conversation--I won't use the word debate because he's too mild-mannered--and doesn't care which side of the aisle you happen to be on.

I know Geoff himself thinks of himself as pretty mild-mannered, too--a "good Episcopalian," he joked during his toast--and maybe that's why he surprised himself so much when he started to break down during that very speech. It was a few days after Veteran's Day and Geoff was simply trying to acknowledge his father's service to our country. But darnit, the words just wouldn't come out of his mouth. And with each passing attempt, Geoff got more choked up. And so did everyone else in the room, yours truly included. When you think of how proud any family is to claim a veteran in its DNA, it's no surprise that Geoff got so emotional. But something about the way Geoff delivered the line made it special. It was a moment I'll remember for a long time.

Which brings me to Crying Episode #2.

Before anyone got to enter the gorgeous Four Seasons ballroom that night, guests mingled in the cocktail areas outside, serenaded by strolling musicians. (As an aside, if you've never seen what event planner Marylin Bradley can do with a ballroom, you really should try crashing a function. Wait. On second thought...) I spied Betsy's grandmother in a corner. She's had some health issues of late which have hampered her speech. But words can be overrated. When her granddaughter knelt down next to her and two heads locked together as one, you could sense an entire lifetime of memories and love passing between. And as the moment went on, and grandma was overcome and Betsy was overcome and pretty much everyone in that little corner was overcome, I surrendered and joined in. It was as good a cry as I've had in years.

Which leads me to a digression. The week before Geoff and Betsy's wedding, I was teaching at a workshop in Dallas. The goal of this particular workshop is to teach wedding photographers who don't have a journalism background how to see (and feel) genuine moments. Since a lot of traditional wedding photography is based upon set-up pictures and contrived situations, The Foundation Conference teaches these non-photojournalists how to wait out the real moments during the course of a wedding day.

With my two decades in journalism, I consider myself a good teacher in this arena. But I have to admit to being blown away by the energy of my students. And as I sat on that plane ride home, I resolved to try even harder myself to seek out those split-seconds during the course of a wedding that end up lasting for decades and more. Sometimes a teacher needs a push from his students.

I don't need to say much more after that. Geoff and Betsy have been exceedingly patient during these past two weeks, our busiest time of the year. I know they want a little peek at their pictures but they're just too polite to bug me about it. In return for that kindness, I've posted a slightly larger than usual gallery of pictures from their wedding.

To see a mini gallery of pictures from Besty and Geoff's wedding, click here.

I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving and wish you nothing but happiness as we enter the holiday season.

Take care,

Matt