Friday (23rd Nov) 4.30am and I’m EXCITED. Surely nothing
is as exciting as early morning wake up calls for imminent airport trips…? Just
me then. I feel a little sick though so I eat two unsatisfactory breakfast
bars en-route much to my boyfriend's distaste. I’m excited and I’m nervous. My first international wedding. I am now
International wedding photographer extraordinaire. Perhaps not, but a baby step closer ;-) I eat another breakfast when I get to the airport and one more on
the plane. 3 breakfasts is a first…must be nervous…definitely not greedy.
So Fish and Dieneke got married. There was
a Brighton contingent in attendance and a lot of lovely Dutch people. If I
loved the Dutch before (which I did), I love them a heck of a lot more after
this humdinger of a wedding. I was completely looked after, welcomed and made to feel part of their family and close friends from the word go. My accommodation was wonderful and I was even given some little socks by the lovely
Lande at Huis op den Bergh. It’s like she knew my feet were made of ice.
The wedding was held in Doesburg, a beautiful
town about 14km from Arnheim and 10mins from where Fish and Dieneke live. Luckily
for me, everything was within a 2 minute walk so I had none of the usual logistical
panics that plague me. The ceremony was in a stunning town hall, which was a stone throw from
De Waag (the oldest public venue in Holland) where the reception was held and
then onto the Italian restaurant two doors down. I photographed the group shots outside the church where Dieneke’s parents were married (over 40 years ago!!!) and we tried to replicate the bridal party alley walk - although looking at them now, they're not really an exact replica, but more a 'modern take.' ;-)
Dieneke looked incredible! A beautiful
bride with a personality to match. I didn’t notice on the day, but whilst
editing I realised she really looks like Marilyn Monroe! Simply
stunning. Fish didn’t let the side down either, he looked so handsome in his
black suit and clearly, two gorgeous people tend to have gorgeous babies et
voila, Jim and Mick, their little ones, looked equally as gorgeous. One thing I must say is how much I loved the Bride and Groom bucking tradition and meeting beforehand at Dieneke’s parent’s house. This meant they arrived together with the booming sound of cheers reverberating around the small town of Doesburg. It was amazing.
I can’t tell you how much I loved shooting
this wedding because it should be illegal to love your job that much, but it’s
testament to the people involved. Great people have great weddings so no
surprise there then. It had so many personal touches it was just magic. I especially loved all the kissy-kissy going on between
the guests at the meal. Yes, I was encouraging them, but no, they didn't need much...a little nudge and off they went with their smooches - the shots still make me giggle.
I would really like to say a few thanks
yous to some people involved…BenGC for assisting – it was great
working with you again trouble. Han, for ferrying me around and helping with my bags
and for doing a great speech with his brother...I couldn’t understand a word
but it was clearly very funny because everyone was laughing including us non-Dutch speaking lot. Kris - not being one to be outdone - also did his speech in another language. In his case, Icelandic (!!!) only to be interspersed with English words like ’little
midget’, it was incredibly funny and I’m sure incredibly rude. Also, a big thank you to The Brighton Lot for
putting up with me, making me laugh and including me in the gang, and the Dutch for generally being
awesome, also making me laugh and continually saying ‘You make picture of us?' Love it.
Finally a big dank je to Fish and Dieneke…dank je for hiring me and allowing
me to play a role in what was such an incredible day full of laughter, love and
happiness…dank je for bearing the rain and the dark and dank je to Dieneke for her
laugh. I can still hear it in my head and it’s simply amazing!
I wish you so much happiness in your
life together, you're an amazing couple with amazing friends and families - I'm sure with them by your side, you'll do just great ;-)
My love and best wishes to you all.
Loukie xx
