the morning ever after

Two weeks ago, my husband and I threw the biggest party of our lives; a three day wedding in the far north of New Zealand. On the morning after the last day of festivities, I blew through packs of polaroid film. They're the only photos I took.

You've seen so many pictures of other people's weddings on the day, as it happened, perfectly lit, stylishly arranged, kept just-so, posted just-right.

Here's what mine looked like after it ended. After the happily ever after; when life carried on.

It was a beautiful, bittersweet mess of smushed cheesecake, broken pink goblets, friends nursing hangovers behind their sunglasses, tipped over chairs, swimming in a waterfall, Woody the neighbour's sausage dog, my mum continuing to worry and direct pack up, and flowers, flowers, flowers.

♥♥♥

matt and rita

Standing on the threshold with her father, she was seconds from walking up the aisle. I crouched behind the bride, melting into the shadows, the world narrowed into the viewfinder. She bent her head towards her father's shoulder and sounding surprised said, "I'm crying...I'm crying..." I took her picture just as she closed her eyes.

Moment gone. She was off. Eyes open. Into the bright sunlight.   

For more of our wedding photos - click here 

{ Film and digital Photos by Viewmore } { Venue: Tarureka Estate, Featherston }

meeting of minds

When I first heard Christine talk about Mark, she used the words "soulmate". She talked of a man who wrote poetry, left quotes about the universe and astronomy on her work desk, and with whom she was able to talk to for hours at a time. A term lawyers use about contracts came into my head. It's called a "meeting of minds". If two people don't completely understand each other, the contract they made may be faulty to the point where it is almost like it was never made. In other words, there was no "meeting of minds". Often, when people call each other "soulmates" I suspect that what it is is really just a simple meeting of minds - the feeling that someone understands you, the knowledge that they will listen, argue to test your theory, and then support you, the comfort when you find you are wrong and someone is there to love you anyway.

I've known the bride for over twenty years. She's one of my best and oldest friends; the kind who can go overseas for years, then turn up the next day on your doorstep and it'll be like she'd never left. That's the hallmark of a good friendship, I think; the world can turn, but you guys won't. I wish her and Mark all the love and joy there is to wish in the world.

All photos by Rob. Email viewmorephotos@gmail.com if you want some photos taken for your engagement or wedding. To see other weddings and engagement shoots we've taken, visit here and here.

Photographer: viewmore photos

Location: Silverstream Retreat

Styling: the Bride

Decorations: Tasha from Knitsch Yarns

Flowers: Friend of the Bride