My favorite moment of the wedding day?
Well, you might think it is the first kiss or the first dance? Or perhaps the cutting of the cake?Â
As much as I love all these moments and never tire of photographing those special times; and yes, they are important inflections of traditions, they are not quite as special as the beginning of the ceremony.
So Much To Love, But
What I love more than those moments is the time just before the wedding party starts walking down the aisle. And then the icing on the cake is the moment the bride starts walking down the aisle.
Tension In The Air
I love the tension in the air. I love it when the music stops and then starts again but now with the bridal music playing. I can only compare it to the moment the ocean tide stops for just the tiniest moment. If you ever had the pleasure to watch the changing of the tides you know what I mean. It feels like the world stands still ever so softly.
Everyone Know What Happens Next
The guests can feel it too. The conversations stop, the smiles grow brighter and then everyone rises in anticipation of the bride.
I wish I could bottle up the moment and put it in a jar and have it sparkle like fireflies.
If I have a second photographer with me, this is the time when her sole focus is on the groom.
Tears Of Joy
I can tell you from experience that some brides will cry as they take their walk towards their future husband, but most of all the grooms cry when they see their future wife walk towards them.
For The History Book
If I am shooting on my own, I pivot back and forth between the bride and the groom. If the bride is being accompanied by her dad, I know that her dad is beaming with pride and that he is probably overcome with emotions. I always think about the importance of those photographs 20-30 years from now.
So Much To Take In
After I take those photographs I know that the next special moment is when the groom shakes his future father-in-law's hand and the bride gets a kiss or a hug from her dad. Is this when the emotional cord is being cut?
I tell you, I am such a sucker for those minutes.
It All Has Come To This
But like I said at the beginning of this blog, my all-time favorite moment is the time just before the bride starts her walk.
I always imagine that it has come to this moment after months of planning. After months of joy and yes, sometimes frustration. Of decisions making when you don't feel like making a decision. After cake tasting, and dress shopping. After deciding on the guest list, and maybe having to make some difficult decisions on what your budget allows. Is it easier to just elope? Or do you want a church wedding? Are you a modern or traditional bride? After all of that, you and your love have finally made it. You are her, you have arrived.
The tide is standing still for just a brief moment. Time to take a deep breath, time to take the first step into your future. Let's walk.
And I am here to document it all.
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