A year or so ago, I attended a blogger meetup in Dublin. I’m one to avoid networking simply because the anxiety of being in a room of people I don’t know and feel responsible to meet is a bit overwhelming. But, I knew I wanted to make friends in the blogging industry in Ireland, and so I forced myself to attend, never realizing I would make such a good friend in the process. When she asked me to photograph her wedding, I balked. I stuttered.
But, I said I would consider it and let her know. I listed a million reasons in my head why this was a bad idea. I’ve only shot one other wedding, for a family member, and was convinced it would be no-good high-stress. But after giving myself a pep-talk, and reminding myself that this is a path I want to pursue, I said yes.
And I’m so glad I did. Because yes, it was high-stress (because I take the responsibility of shooting a day like this really seriously), but it was also fun. I met new people. I saw a mix of Irish and French loved ones come together and celebrate two people who are committed to each other. I strengthened a friendship that matters to me, and I took some damn good photographs in the process. I pursued a passion that I want to make a career, and I loved it. Did I panic? Yes. Was it difficult? Yes. But it was oh-so-worth it.
These two have such an easygoing feel to them. In the months leading up to the wedding, they intentionally kept things simple and calm. From how she chose her dress and jewelry, where they married, and who they invited. All in the effort to create a simple Dublin registry wedding that was just their style.
A small, intimate wedding is difficult to accomplish here. Irish culture is much like Southern US culture in that weddings are big, noisy affairs with hours of dancing and hundreds of guests. But the payoff came late that night, at the first of two receptions hosted by their families, where the toasts were long and meaningful, intimate and tearful, and nothing was done for show or pretension. Just brothers toasting their sister, a father raising his glass to his son, and a family who obviously loved these two deeply.
Congratulations you two! Well done.
