Sunday reminded me again why I love shooting weddings. Aside from all the fun and physical beauty of the day, in the end it’s all about the intangible connections you build with extraordinary people in love.
Ting and David were married at the Sequoia River Dance Bed & Breakfast in Three Rivers, CA, which is just at the foot of the Sequoia National Forest. A week before the wedding the weather forecast reported heavy rain all weekend, but thankfully Sunday proved to be bright and sunny with only moderately cool temperatures, the perfect day for an outdoor wedding in an almost magical location.
I had been up to the Sequoias before, but I hadn’t ever taken Route 198 to get there. That road took me through some of the most majestic and idyllic scenery I had ever seen. Traveling along Lake Kaweah through lush, green valleys as I made my ascent up into the Sierras, it literally transported me to another world, almost reminiscent of some scenes from the Lord of the Rings movies (that’s the first thing that came to mind, anyway; and no, I did not pretend to be a hobbit – LOL). It was incredible.
I had never met Ting and David until the day of their wedding. Ting and David booked me over the phone, so our interaction prior to Sunday had been limited to emails and phone conversations with Ting. So with covering a wedding in a location I had never been to with a couple I had never met, I really didn’t know what to expect.
So what did I find?
A beautiful location with two wonderful people, deeply in love, whose vows were some of the most moving and heartfelt I had ever witnessed. Their wedding was wrapped in simplicity and intimacy; simple in its physical embellishments and formality (no dancing, no bouquet toss, etc., only some warmly offered toasts), while overwhelmingly intimate in the number of guests in attendance (about 30) and the expression of love throughout the day. For me it was a great experience, and I couldn’t have been happier to be there.
Here are few favorite images from their day…
As I mentioned above, the vows were some of the most moving and heartfelt I had ever heard, if not the most moving and heartfelt. I think I can speak for all of us in attendance that Ting literally had us floored as we witnessed her express her feelings for David and what he meant to her. And that’s just us! I can only imagine what David must have been feeling at the time.
Ting and David are moving to Australia very shortly, and I wish you both the best in this new adventure of yours (as if getting married wasn’t already an adventure in itself!). In some ways it’s kind of sad for me, because these are just the sort of people I would love to keep in touch with and see again from time to time in the future.
Thanks again, Ting and David, for inviting me into your lives even for just a little bit. I’ll be looking forward to hearing about the amazing lives you’re building in your new country! :)
Beautiful work!!!!
Nice work Wayne, as always buddy.
Crisp and beautiful as always Wayne!
I especially love the shot of the groom smiling with his eyes closed!
Awesome stuff Wayne! Keep up the blogging!
Absolutely gorgeous job, Wayne. You really captured some wonderful moments there. Intimate weddings are my favorite.
Gorgeous! The way you use light in your images is so beautiful! Can’t wait to see more from you this wedding season!
Beautiful! I love how your clean style fits perfectly with the fresh details and simple elegance of the wedding!
These wedding photographs are just amazing….I love bride’s shoes!
Wayne, Awesome images! Love your detail shots and Dave with his eyes closed is a great capture. Love them all & thanks again! -Mike
Remarkable stuff man! :) Fantastic and crisp!
These are amazing!! So beautiful!!
Wayne the images are beautiful. They are intimate just like the wedding. The detail shots are just gorgeous. Well done again :)
Seriously great captures, Wayne!
You’re gifted with the camera and the pen! Happy that those who couldn’t attend can experience your art.
Outstanding shots, Wayne! You really stepped it up with these shots… very well done!
Ouststanding, yes LOVELY~
Wayne,
It was a pleasure working with you and a pleasure experiencing such an amazing event captured so beautifully.
Thanks,
Suzy
that’s great!with all my best!!!
the happiness comes through in the shots .you cando my wedding?what a gift to send to people
nice job toshikazu.
congratulations to the bride and the groom. may the happiness be with you guys forever.
Beautiful photos.
Gorgeous bride.
Beaming groom.
All the best, you guys :)
Really Really beautiful photos of my dear friend (flatmate) in Australia.
I look forward to seeing Ting and David again in Australia.
Cheers
Marianna
Beautiful couple inside and out! What wonderful photography too!!
Really love the detail of the shoes and the texture on the couch as background!