Joe's Story

This wedding was going to be different but not in the way I thought it was going to be.

With about five weddings photographed under my belt, I was starting to get more comfortable. As usual, I received the paperwork for the wedding and then I reached out to my point of contact to introduce myself and set expectations. Conversation went well and we agreed to meet at the venue at 4:30pm on the day of to start.

As I parked my car, I noticed a few people running around in the lobby and I started to wonder which one was Sharokina, the wedding planner. I got my camera bag out of my car and entered the lobby where I found Sharokina prepping for the day to come. We exchanged pleasantries and then she introduced me to two additional girls working with her who were about 20 feet away. I moseyed on over to where they were and that is when I first met you…

After a quick hello and a handshake it was, unfortunately, time to start working. The other girl working with Shar took me to the suite where the bride was and I started to photograph her wedding day. I didn’t see you again until after I finished with the bride and moved over to where the groom was at. I remember you coming into the room to help with the boutonnieres and me taking a few photos making sure you were in them as you helped put them on. Our next conversation was not far away…

You volunteered to take the five year old daughter of the bride downstairs and I joined you so you could show me where the ceremony was going to take place. As we rode down the elevator, you made a comment as to how cute it was for their daughter to be part of wedding and I responded with how I had played that same role when my parents were married. I later found out this little comment brought you closer to being head over heels with me :-) The short elevator ride ended but our conversations for the evening did not.

As the day progressed, we had more work related interactions. From photographing the programs you designed to helping me find VIPs to photograph. Every once in a while though, when the bride and groom did not need me, I would look over my shoulder and try to find out where you were even if it was just to get a glance of you. I remember a moment when you were by the entrance and I managed to steal some time with you as everyone else focused on the wedding. Our conversation was short but it was the first time one of my bad jokes made you smile.

Once the night came to an end, I knew that this day could not be the last time I saw you and you made sure of it when you handed me your business card and commented, “My personal cell phone number is on the back”. As you turned around and walked away, the smile that would stay on my face for the rest of the night began to realize.

I originally thought this wedding was going to be different because it was my first time working with a wedding planner but it turned out to be different because it’s when I first met you. This is when our journey began.

-Joe