Jessica and Sambit’s luxury hotel wedding in Denver at the Four Seasons will be one I’ll remember for a long time. Everything about their day was spectacular but their thoughtfulness for both each other and the people that mattered most to them stood out to me.

When Trent and I walked in the hotel, Donnah with Poised Events was getting things set up and informed me that Jessica’s grandmother wasn’t going to be able to attend the wedding. This kind of thing happens somewhat regularly but I knew how important having her grandmother there meant to Jessica after several conversations together. She even moved the wedding date up so that her grandmother could be there. I knew we had to do something so I suggested that we move the timeline around and drive Jessica to her grandmother so they could have some time together. Donnah and Jessica loved the idea so we got her and Sambit ready, did their first look and headed out the door. Jessica’s father picked us up and drove us across town.

It was a bit of an out of body experience documenting the interaction between Jessica, her grandmother and Sambit. The photos of that moment may be the most important of my career. Despite planning a gorgeous, extravagant wedding in just a few months, the thing that mattered most to Jessica on this day was marring the man she loved and sharing part of the day with her grandmother. I don’t speak Russian but I feel like I understood everything that her grandmother was saying. It’s a moment I’m sure none of us will ever forget.

For the rest of the day, I’m not sure if her smile ever left her face. It was a joy to witness such happiness.

The ceremony was heartfelt and real. Sambit’s brothers gave some incredible toasts. Bounce Band kept the dance floor on fire so much that even legend Paula Abdul, who was a guest at the wedding, congratulated them on a stellar show. It was an absolute treat to be able to document this day.

Congratulations you two!

The bride gets mascara applied while getting ready
The bride smiles as she gets into her gown
The groom buttons his sleve in a mirror
The bride puts on an earring as a family member looks on
The groom puts on his jacket
The bride reaches out for the groom during their first look at the Four Seasons Hotel Denver
The groom reacts during their first look
The groom spins the bride on the staircase at Four Seasons Hotel Denver
The groom helps the bride into a Rolls Royce
The bride and groom ride in a Rolls Royce together
The bride holds hands with her grandmother as the groom looks on
The bride receives a kiss on her hand from her grandmother as the groom looks on
The bride’s grandmother gives her instructions
The bride receives a ring from her grandmother
The bride cries as she looks at her grandmother’s ring
The father of the bride drives the couple to the wedding
Jessica fixes Sambit’s tie during a quiet moment together seen through a doorway
The groom shares a laugh with a family member
The bride enters the ballroom during the ceremony at Four Seasons Hotel Denver
The bride walks down the aisle at Four Seasons Hotel Denver with her parents
Sambit looks at Jessica during the ceremony
The ceremony is reflected in the floor at Four Seasons Hotel Denver
The bride reads her vows during the ceremony
The bride smiles at the groom during the ceremony
Sambit smashes a glass at the end of the ceremony
The newlyweds share their first kiss under the chuppa following their ceremony at Four Seasons Hotel Denver
The bride and groom celebrate as they walk down the aisle together
The couple stops in the aisle and share a kiss
The bride and groom pose for a portrait in the lobby at Four Seasons Hotel Denver during their wedding
Newlyweds share a kiss at during their wedding day
The newlyweds enter their reception at Four Seasons Hotel Denver
The couple dances with family members at their ballroom reception
Jessica and Sambit are lifted in chairs on the dance floor during the hora at Four Seasons Hotel Denver
The bride and groom share a kiss on the dance floor
The bride reacts during a toast at the reception
The bride laughs as the groom gives a toast during the wedding
The bride blows out the candles on her birthday cake
Jessica and Sambit share their first dance together at Four Seasons Hotel Denver
Jessica and Sambit share their first dance together at Four Seasons Hotel Denver
Guests dance during a wedding reception at Four Seasons Hotel Denver
Guests dance during a wedding reception at Four Seasons Hotel Denver
Guests dance during a wedding reception at Four Seasons Hotel Denver
Guests dance during a wedding reception at Four Seasons Hotel Denver
Guests dance during a wedding reception at Four Seasons Hotel Denver
Bounce Band performs during a wedding reception at Four Seasons Hotel Denver
Guests dance during a wedding reception at Four Seasons Hotel Denver
Guests dance during a wedding reception at Four Seasons Hotel Denver
A singer from Bounce Band performs as the bride dances during her wedding reception at Four Seasons Hotel Denver
Paula Abdul dances during a wedding reception at Four Seasons Hotel Denver
Guests dance during a wedding reception at Four Seasons Hotel Denver
Guests dance during a wedding reception at Four Seasons Hotel Denver
A young guest is lifted into the air during a wedding reception at Four Seasons Hotel Denver
Guests dance during a wedding reception at Four Seasons Hotel Denver
Guests dance during a wedding reception at Four Seasons Hotel Denver
Guests dance during a wedding reception at Four Seasons Hotel Denver
A singer from Bounce Band performs as the bride dances during her wedding reception at Four Seasons Hotel Denver
The bride and groom dance together at their wedding reception