Valerie and James met in high school band class and went to prom together - as friends. James took a risk five years later and told Val how he felt. The feelings were mutual. When Val's sister, Olivia, made her toast at the wedding, she joked about a fruit-roll-up wrapper she scribbled on when they were in high school. On it, she wrote: VAL WILL MARRY JAMES. Fifteen years later, Olivia pulled out the wrapper and triumphantly held it up to the cheers and laughter of all the wedding guests.

Their celebration was what I always hope for a couple: filled with so much joy and love. Val and James cried, guests cried, I cried (more than once). Also more than once, while I was photographing moments on the periphery of the reception, something would explode on the dance floor and I would sprint over to collect the evidence. Val and James know how to throw one heck of a dance party!

Congratulations, Valerie and James; I'm so happy for you and look forward to many, many years of friendship with you!

Ceremony: The Chapel at Pomfret School
Venue: Hyland Orchard
Flowers: Design by Doe