Horses, Horses and More Horses

It's no secret that I am an animal lover to the core.  I have always felt a bond with those that are furry and four-legged...especially horses.  Once I was able to speak, I begged my mother every single day to take me to a farm so I could take riding lessons.  Eventually, I wore her down and she probably got sick of hearing me beg, so we went out to a nearby farm and the rest is history.

My love of horses grew into a passion for the animals and for the sport.  I spent years training, riding, and showing.  I even became a professional after college, teaching and riding at a farm in Oregon, and then teaching as an adjunct college professor in their Equine Studies Department.  Because of my long history and passion for the animals, it only seemed natural that once I started planning my wedding, horses were a part of my special day.

Unfortunately, the logistics of my childhood dream of riding down the aisle on a horse to meet my groom were not exactly realistic.  Between the dirt, smell, tight timeline and heat of the summer, it was not a practical way to meld my love of horses into my wedding day.  After talking to my awesome photographer about it (Leslie Barbaro, www.lesliebarbarophoto.com), she suggested a post wedding shoot at a farm, so we would have ample time to get some amazing shots with horses involved.

Since my 2nd anniversary just passed, I have been thinking about how both my wedding and my post wedding shoot were truly dreams come true.  Here are some photos that will hopefully inspire brides like me, who want to share their special day with their passion for horses.

 

 

 

 

 I hope these pictures will inspire brides to find a way to combine their passion with their "special" day.

Jean

(P.S. - For some other great ideas, check out www.prettylittleweddings.com.  My equestrian shoot was featured on this blog, and they have lots of other great wedding ideas!)