Moments of attention. Ceremonies, such as weddings, can awaken three types of attitudes in those who participate, depending on their degree of interest, participation, or reason. There is always a group of people there who will think it was very quick and profitable, another one who didn’t know what happened there because they took advantage of it just to party, they are only there because they were invited, and yet another one who just wait for the end the ceremony.
I don’t mean that the guests of a wedding are there, in the ceremony, out of obligation and don’t pay any attention to something that was so strongly committed by the couple that invited them. Not at all, but things are as they are and the guests are only there because of them, the groom and the bride and as long as they leave there married for them to celebrate and party is what matters to them. Their happiness is our happiness.
I remember once when I was a wedding photographer for a couple in the Algarve in a small village, I can’t remember the name of, and I found so few guests at the wedding ceremony in the local church. I had been told they were a reasonable amount of guests and even though I didn’t have time for a count as that wasn’t my job, it didn’t add up.
After the Yes is given and sanctified by the priest, inspired by an abundant and fruitful homily, guaranteed by the wedding photographer the story of the moment and, as it is part of the ritual, the bride and groom leave the church, running the photographer to see the pictures offered to him coming out of the church door and, amazement, a square full of people that flooded the bride and groom with flowers of all colors and shapes, rice that by chance filled the bag of tools of the wedding photographer who forgot to close it, and hugs and kisses I’m so happy for you I hope it’s for a life that never ends.
It’s just to say that at a wedding I’m always sure that, without hesitation, everyone is there for the bride and groom. Still, some guests, are more for the ceremony, others for the kisses and hugs – congratulations, and others because a good meal well watered amidst friends can’t give a better celebration. And it is for all of them that the wedding photographer is also happy to be there.
To capture the attention and emotion of some in the ceremony, the delivery, for love, of others in the celebration and, still, others in the satisfaction of the party and the friendship confraternization. This diversity gives the wedding photographer, always, a story with all the elements it must have to be told and not a monochord narrative more destined to give sleep even if the photos are those of the wedding photographer.
Good ones, of course.
Note: Because the laws of the image rights only the bride and groom have some photos in the article and not the guests. Well…it is what it is…