As a photographer on a wedding day, you tend to spend your time pacing yourself. Professional cameras and lenses are heavy, really heavy and I take thousands of images during the day which means a lot of arm curls (each of my cameras weigh 6+ kg) and hundreds of squats or lunges. More than the physical though, is the mental.
I am constantly measuring time – Have I got time to grab some portraits? Where are the rings? Where is the bride’s mother? etc?
So, when things take an unexpected turn, it not only changes my plans, most importantly – it changes the wedding party’s plans. This lovely wedding at Glen Albyn in Taroona presented the biggest change I’ve ever had on a wedding day, the venue caught on fire.
Firstly I was worried (and concerned) for the bride – but wow – she was amazing! After the initial shock and disbelief, the laughing began. Jayde and her six very supportive bridesmaids were fantastic. It’s worth noting that the owners of the venue were controlled, measured and highly professional too. Their professionalism came from the genuine concern they had for the mental welfare for the bride and groom. Not at any point was anyone in any physical danger, however there was the capacity for a lovely couple’s dream day to be unravelled. After an interlude, the day was back on track thanks to Bernadette (from Glen Albyn) and about a dozen firefighters (Taroona Fire Brigade). I like the irony of there was a fire while it was drizzling, it makes me chuckle. Rain, fire and rings… it’s like a seventies rock band!
I think mentioning the fire is relevant as the pictures may have caused people to query the following images. But really, this is the story of a lovely couple who had an amazing wedding day – there just happened to be a fire as entertainment. Kudos to Maria Bond, their wonderful celebrant, for keeping the atmosphere as pleasant as it was under trying circumstances.
This was a different wedding for me in another way as well. Usually I don’t do half day weddings, but in this case I made an exception. The lovely bride is a good soul… She (with the support of her awesome Hubby) run a cat rescue facility. They are not a charity – they pay! Good people need a break every now and then, so I agreed to do a part day… Check them out on Facebook – Rescue Cats Safe Haven.
