Kim and James were married over Labor Day weekend at a chapel in Oklahoma City.
Right off the bat, I’ll tell you that James Stuck is one of the finest men I have ever met. I’ve had the privilege of photographing his story since early 2006, shortly after he arrived at Walter Reed Army Hospital with serious injuries sustained in an IED explosion while serving with the 101st Airborne Division in Iraq.
You can read the stories here, and here on the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review’s website. James has a positive, can-do attitude, and a strong work ethic which have brought him to his current home in Oklahoma City where he is a member of the USA Volleyball Men’s Sitting Team.
So when James called me up to tell me he’d found a great girl and they were getting married, I immediately jumped at the chance to photograph their wedding. Kim is a sweet, calm, and patient person – a perfect match for James’ full-speed-ahead personality. They’re a great couple.
Here are some of my favorite photos from the weekend:
James arrives at the rehearsal dinner after volleyball practice. As usual, just late enough to make an entrance;-)
James greets his buddy Jeremy. They went through basic training and stayed together all the way through serving in the same platoon in Iraq.
Kim kisses James goodbye before leaving the boys to their bachelor party:
The next morning Kim and the girls went to Jon’Ric Spa and Salon for hair and makeup:
Kim’s niece Katie got her wish – she looked like a princess:
So did Kim:
Kim texts James as she leaves the salon:
We do it all at Joe Appel Photography, LLC – including driving the bride to the chapel!
Kim checks out her cake:
James’ groom’s cake shows a little bit of Western PA pride:
Katie’s mom Amy helps her get her dress on:
Katie’s little sister Hannah shows off her shoes:
The girls apply glitter:
James’ brother John helps him get ready. This is the only time I’ve ever seen James wear a tie:
Jeremy looks the part of a pool shark:
James and Kim’s brother-in-law James watch a little TV before the ceremony. In addition to being the dad of the cutest kids in Oklahoma, he was the officiant for the ceremony.
The youngest of Kim’s nieces:
As the music begins, the big guy gets a little emotional:
Kim told me that she has always dreamed of walking down a set of stairs on her wedding day. She got her wish:
I love James’ reaction when he first saw her:
Before joining each other on the altar, Kim and James were asked if their intention was to enter into matrimony. James answered in the affirmative:)
I love the look on Kim’s face:
Best man John gives a toast:
The first dance:
James’ uncle provides direction as Kim prepares to throw the bouquet:
Then the dancing began:
Members of the women’s sitting volleyball team and other athletes filled the dance floor:
James and his mom Rose Ann dance.
Rose Ann is not a shy person:
The timing of events on the wedding day didn’t really allow for many portraits, so the next day we went out for a session with their dogs Bear and Layla.
Thanks again Kim and James. It meant a lot to me to be there with you both.