So as usual we reached the bride's house in the morning to capture all the fun that's happening behind the scenes. I had the opportunity of inviting a friend of mine who is studying in London, to come over to France to shoot along side with me. Jacqueline who was also for a period of time when she was back in Singapore was shooting weddings too.... So when I told her about this wedding she could not say no.... :)
Lydie's stunning white gown hung on the cupboard ...
The little flowers girls were the first to get ready. Eager to get into their new dresses they obeyed every instruction given. Ok well even though my french isn't the best, I figured that they were indeed very happy to wear those dresses. Below was a cool moment of a mood shot of 1 of the little girls. She might be thinking, "hmm... quand elle sera mon tour?"
As the bride is being made up by her make up artist and hairstylist at the same time, the rest of the household were also busy getting ready for the ceremony that going to happen just in a couple of hours.
This was what her neighbours would have seen when they walked by that morning after their morning jog. As they passed they shouted best wishes to the bride's parents. It seems that even the neighbours were excited about the happy occasion that's happening.
As Lydie hopped into her beautiful gown, the little girls looked on with awe. They just stood there the whole time as the bride got ready to get married.
oh... isn't this a great moment... The bride and her most sporting mum. Her mum's smile reached her both ears when she caught sight of her daughter in the bridal gown and quickly came into the room to give Lydie a big hug and kisses.
Here we go... setting off for the park where Lydie and Jerome will go through a little traditional ceremony.... there's a shot to prove that I was there. :P
Jerome the dashing groom was already at the park wait for the arrival of his bride, together with his family and bridal party. Look that little girl below isn't she just he coolest flower girls ever...
In this little wooded pavilion was where a little traditional ceremony happened uniting the 2 individuals as 1. They promised to take good care of each other for the rest of their lives.
There was a couple of speeches too... and here is my favourite part. Look at how touched the bride is with tears streaming down her beautifully blushed cheeks. Even the groom's mother ( the lady in purple could not help but be touched.)
Did I mentioned that Jerome is half Chinese? So being any part Chinese you can't miss out a tea ceremony in a wedding. The tea ceremony in Chinese wedding tradition is a symbol of giving your parents and elders respect and acknowledgment for their effort in bringing you up all these years.
Soon after the ceremony at the park, we headed for Paris to grab a few quick shots of the couple as we only had 3hrs before the civil ceremony would start at the city hall of Gagny. The portraits in Paris will be up in the next post.
This was in the city hall where Jerome & Lydie are married legally. After the groom came in with his parents, the bride march in with her parents accompanied by 3 pretty flowers girls. Below was another awesome moment I captured as the bride walks to her seat, her mum stole a moment for a kiss on her shoulder as her dad watches on from behind. Awww.....
The civil ceremony was short and simple. With 4 friends as witnesses and all the guest present the couple pledged their love for each other. That's 1 happy bride I must say....
Jac was on the ground having upfront shots of the main action while I decided to get an overall view of what's happening. Its cool watching from God's point of view.
Here in the topless Peugeot 308, we sat under the bright blue French sky as we drove for about a hour to the reception venue. A Chateau... Honks of best wishes whisked by as drivers passed along the motorway. So there were endless honking as we drove. Not forgetting the blow up dolls who were leading the way and making sure all 20 cars that were following were all in line.
A cocktail reception was ready for us when we arrived as guests freshen up for dinner but in the meantime lets throw 2 things... The bouquet and my camera...
This is the biggest group I've ever done. There were like about slightly more that 50 people that were supposed to be in that shot but it was just too high for me to manage to throw my camera.
Thanks blow ups for leading the way here... :) Enjoy yourselves tonight....
So the party started as the couple danced their way in and their dads proposing a toast to each other.... Now lets get the party started....
The couple were engaged in a game where either parties have to answer questions about the other's family and the answers were the guest who were standing up the hall. Lydie aced it....
Their first dance was a salsa item which they practiced for some time and they did a perfect job.
Now let the party begin... A live band was hired to play songs for the evening and the party. When I said live I mean live and loud .... Thats the way to party people!
The cake was lighted finally cut at 1 am. Everyone was still around and they partied till 4 am.
Some friends prepared a short slide show of the couple as a surprise and I think there were a few embarrassing shots there.... I could tell from Lydie's expression...
All in all this was the best French wedding that I've ever shot. The longest one as well in all the years I've been shooting. A total of 17 hours straight. It's not a problem for me but I admire the couple for keeping up that smile for the whole time.
Thank you Jerome and Lydie for making me a part of your celebrations. I really enjoyed myself capturing these wonderful memories for both of you. Congratulations!
