26 August 2008 • Category: Photos, Wedding • 3 comments
These two lovebirds were introduced to me through an extended family member of mine, who happens to be long time friends with Lise, the bride. Lise and Fabien decided to surprise their guests with medieval wedding attire and they looked the part from start to finish. Even their little 6 year-old son, ring-bearer for his parent’s joyful union, joined in on the fun and wore a royal blue medieval shirt.
I had the best of times this past Saturday with the bride and groom and their family. Everyone was very easy to work with and they all put on their best 1,000 dollar smiles (although I must admit the ring-bearer had by far the best smile of the bunch).
My good friend Tyna tagged along as my assistant for the occasion. I have her to thank for the composition of the first shot in this sneak peek. I don’t think Fabien could look any more proud of his wife in the second photo, and Lise is ready to be completely swept off her feet by her man. More to come later this week!
14 August 2008 • Category: Photos, Quotes, Wedding • 5 comments
During the cocktail hour, the invitees got to chat together. We were even able to enjoy the last hour of the very unplanned but so very welcome parting of the clouds. In fact, the weather forecast was calling for scattered showers throughout the day. To be frank, the rain came at the most opportune of times: while everyone was getting ready and later on during dinner. We couldn’t have asked for a better wedding gift from Mother Nature.
We made Sahar and Aidin do the ever popular “dip” during the hour for the simple reason that they were so good at it. They were naturals!
At the end of the cocktail hour, white release doves (also known as homing pigeons) were brought outside. The couple first released two birds by hand and then, from a wooden cage, a larger group joined them in the sky. It is commonly believed that doves do mate for life or until one of the partners dies which makes this lifelong commitment one of the reason why these beautiful white birds are a popular symbol for marriage.
While cocktails were held outside, the dinner portion of the wedding day was carefully and beautifully set up inside a dining area with a mezzanine and dozens of white lanterns. The overall effect was stunning and might I add, the dinner (especially the salmon) was simply delicious.
Speeches occurred throughout the duration of the entire dinner and tears were abound, to say the least. I caught this little gem during the Maid of Honor speech.
After dinner, everyone was brought back in the ballroom were the wedding ceremony was held earlier that day and Sahar and Aidin had their first dance. People like these two make my job the easiest and greatest job on Earth. Their love just transcends the lens and their connection in present in every glance, every move. It is a beautiful thing to witness.
At some point during the evening the bride got tired of holding on to her bouquet (rightfully so!) and the groom put it up there in the chandelier. They retrieved it moments before the bouquet toss at the end of the day.
Right before the couple got to cut their cake, the Raghseh Chagoo took place (a dance we could refer to as a “knife dance” in English). It was a very entertaining part of the evening and I highly recommend you check out this YouTube video to get an idea of what the Raghseh Chagoo dance looks like.
The purpose of the Persian Knife dance (Raghseh Chagoo) is for the couple to retrieve a knife from the dancers so they can cut the wedding cake. The dance starts with one person dancing a typical Persian dance, with the knife and basically asking the couple for money. Once the dancer gets the money, the knife is passed on to the next dancer. The bride and groom continue to offer money to try and get the cake knife. A little back and forth, and a few dance moves later, the couple finally are given the knife and are able to cut the cake. - c/o Persian Mirror
Lifelong happiness to the beautiful Sahar and Aidin. And as Sahar’s childhood friend put it in her speech: “you two are gonna make ridiculously good-looking babies”. Tabrik migoyam!
13 August 2008 • Category: Photos, Quotes, Wedding • 7 comments
Upon arriving to the ceremony and reception site, Château St-Antoine, I was immediately swept off my feet by the refined beauty of the place. There were so many intricate details I wanted to photograph, it was difficult to point my lens in only one direction.
Witnessing a Persian wedding was nothing short of fascinating, let alone getting to photograph one. The traditions and customs I witnessed have deep-rooted meaning and are wonderful expressions of love and happiness. The Sofreh Aghd was completely breath-taking. Each item placed on the wedding spread has its purpose and every single one is more interesting than the other.
Once the couple is pronounced husband and wife, the officiant asks for God’s blessing to be with the couple in their lives together. The bride and groom exchange rings and kiss. At this point, the honey is also presented to the happy couple. Here, the groom dips his finger into the honey and gives some to the bride. She does the same in turn and they are ensured a sweet and happy life together. - c/o Persian Mirror
The light at the end of the ceremony was simply phenomenal so I snapped those two shots of the bride in front of the huge windows.
I caught the Bride and Groom stealing a kiss right in the empty ceremony room after everyone had gone outside for cocktails and pictorials. Couldn’t resist exercising my paparazzi skills and sneaked in this shot. It could possibly be my favorite single shot of the entire day so I’m posting it both in color and b&w just because I can’t decide which I like the best.
The pair then had a few sips of their own cocktails inside before joining everyone out on the patio for the reception, which was a complete and utter blast. These guys know how to party, let me tell you!
I’ll be back for Part 3 of the wedding later on tonight.
