A month or so ago I travelled down to shakey Christchurch for the NZIPP Iris Awards and InFocus conference (which I’m still yet to blog about!) It was a great trip for many reasons, not least my success at the awards and the screeds of motivation I returned with after the conference. I also got to know and love dear wee Rebecca Watson from Borrowed Light and her gorgeous baby boy.
In return for some pretty flash campervan accommodation I got to tag along to Aaron and Jude’s lovely romantic wedding while I was down there.
Aaron and Jude were high school sweethearts who went their separate ways, married other people and produced offspring, only to find love again with each other a decade or two down the track. How adorable is that?!
Before the wedding we shot a ‘first look’. I’d not been a part of one of these before. Although they are gaining in popularity, I’m finding many brides still value the tradition of having her groom see her for the first time as she comes down the aisle. I have to say though, I LOVE the idea.
If you’re not sure what I’m on about: a first look is where the couple is set up somewhere picturesque before the ceremony, to have a few quite moments alone (um, with the photographer in the background), so see each other in their fancy duds without a crowd of family and friends. Often its done with an element of surprise and anticipation, with the groom facing away as the bride creeps up to tap him on the shoulder. He turns around to find his stunning bride.
It truly is a remarkable, emotional moment.
When Aaron first saw Jude, he couldn’t help but weep, and she was equally awed to see him looking so slick. They just hugged and hugged, and wept.
I’ll admit it now, I am a sympathy crier. You know, when you see someone else crying you can’t help but mist up, even if you’re not really sure why?
Yeah, I’m like that.
In fact happy moments, or sweet loving things, like weddings and small babies choke me up even if everyone else is dry eyed. Its just so… oh! Beautiful.
And that is why I love my job. If you’re not crying with happiness whenever you go to work, you’re in the wrong job I think.
Anyway, tangent! Here are some of my snaps from Aaron and Jude’s wedding… I forgot to mention Jude’s completely snazzy and hilarious son, who features heavily in this set. My camera has a kid-magnet in it.
… the first look …
… love this kid …
(did I mention how much I love this kid?)
Thank you so much Aaron and Jude for having me along, it as a pleasure to capture your romantic relationship, if only for a few hours. And Rebecca, you darling thing, move to Wellington please!
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