This was a special one (to say the least). Last October, I got a call from Alex and he asked me if I would be able to travel to Cape Cod to photograph his wedding day in two weeks. They were initially planning on getting married in Fall 2025, but they were moving up their wedding day because is fiancé, Marguerite, got diagnosed with breast cancer. I, thankfully, was open for their new date and it was an immediate yes from me. Marguerite generously agreed to share about her cancer journey and their process planning a 100 person wedding day in two weeks. You can read her words, here:
I discovered a small, movable lump in my left breast after Alex’s birthday (6/17). My primary doctor saw me on 7/1, and we decided to wait a month, assuming it was hormonal. By August, when it hadn’t gone away, we scheduled a mammogram and ultrasound. My first-ever mammogram on 9/13 was graded “BIRADS 4 – suspicious,” leading to a biopsy on 9/18. The experience was awful, but that’s a story for another day!
We left for a wedding trip to London & Portugal on 9/21, thinking it’d be nothing. On 9/25, while packing up in London, I received my results: “poorly differentiated ductal carcinoma.” I knew what it meant. My mom immediately mobilized, and by the time we landed in Portugal, I was connected with Dana Farber in Boston. We flew back on 9/29 and gathered with family in DC before I returned to LA to prepare for a winter in New England.
While in Portugal, we discussed moving our wedding up. My best friend and I pitched the idea to my mom, and after some convincing, we set 10/17. My original dress wouldn’t be ready, so my mom, sister, and I found the perfect one in DC. I met Dr. Poorvu on 10/7, and after getting the green light from my surgeon on 10/10, we moved forward.
Our wedding, initially planned for 9/20/25, was reimagined beautifully. My mom took the reins, making it magical—classic, elegant, warm. The florals, candles, and ambiance were breathtaking. Some of my favorite moments: getting announced from the balcony, the oysters, the string quartet playing Alex’s favorite songs, my borrowed belt from my sister, and my mom’s hilarious toast. The day could have been heavy, but instead, it was filled with love and joy.
We did a quick IVF cycle before chemo on 11/4, resulting in four embryos and three eggs on ice. A getaway to Maine in between was a much-needed reset. Starting chemo on 11/4 was the best birthday gift—I turned 34 on 11/5.
Now, with one chemo left (3/10), I’m beyond grateful for the love and support. Surgery is in mid-April, radiation follows, and immunotherapy continues into 12/25. Hopefully, by 7/1/25—one year from when I found the lump—we’ll be ready for a new chapter. What a wild ride!
Vendors:
Planner: Elegant Engagements of Cape Cod
Venue: Oyster Harbors Club
Florals: Beach Plum Florals
Dress: Carine’s Bridal
Makeup: Mariolga Makeup + Hair
Hair: Stacey Kuehn Hair
Ceremony Music: Cape Cod Sting Quartet
Shoes: Badley Mischa
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