Is a marriage that begins one lovely September morning, surrounded by crickets, sunlight and the laughter of nymphs in a cool forest bound to last?
If so, then this bride and her new husband have a long life of love to look forward to.
These two were married this morning in what may possibly go down in history as the most magical wedding I have ever attended. Set to flute music, the earthy ceremony was full of love and sunbeams.
And unless my eyes deceived me, I am sure I saw nymphs and fairies frolicking together down by the stream as the couple said their vows.
Married on a brick labyrinth in the damp forest, the bride and groom shared their love with an intimate circle of friends today.
As for me, I hid in the shadows with my cameras, capturing images of the beautiful love fest. When the wedding party emerged at the start of the ceremony, I literally drew breath as they appeared from the depths of the forest, all looking like woodland fairies.
I loved it.
And what’s not to love with angelic flower girls and strewn rose petals floating about?
Laughter, love and loads of color abounded this morning, and I was glad to be a part of it all.
The bride is a long time reader of my blog. Ages before I ever knew my family would be in the throes of a move early this September, she invited me to be the photographer at her wedding.
Having never been to the wooded hills of New Jersey before, it was an opportunity I could not pass up.
To be honest, I thought this state was nothing but a concrete jungle, but this weekend has proven that there are parts of New Jersey that are anything but.
What a blessing it’s been to meet fascinating new people and experience the New England Mid-Atlantic (I stand corrected. Thanks, readers!) countryside. There is plenty of warmth and love to go around out here and I’m thankful to have been able to step momentarily from my own box jungle and be a part of this!
The morning wedding was followed by a picnic reception on the grounds of a delightful old convent.
I couldn’t have asked for anything more picturesque to photograph. The guests, sipping sweet tea and juice out of Mason jars, seemed to thoroughly enjoy themselves as well.
Inside a retreat house, the cake and mouthwatering food was kept cool and quiet. Wicker chairs and pillows abounded as hugs and kisses flew.
I’ll be heading the the couple’s afterparty soon, an evening that just may prove to be another affair to remember. Naturally, I’ll share photographs of that, too. An event only once lived isn’t nearly well enough experienced.
Admittedly, I’m a teeny bit sad that this long awaited weekend for me is already drawing to a close. I’ll be thrilled to hug my family again, and it will be jumping right back into the box world I left yesterday.
But, for one more night, I will savor the love that flows between two new spouses and think back to the day that I, also carrying pink Gerbera daisies, wed my own sweetheart.
As my beloved’s name is now forever etched on my own heart, so may it be with the beautiful couple who married today in a cool forest.
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