Mayella & Sisa
Over a month ago I had the pleasure of witnessing and photographing my first ever wedding! Not only was it my first wedding but it was also my first mixed culture wedding too. With love in the air, and strength in my camera hands I was ready and raring to shoot this beautiful day!
Strangely enough, I had met May & Sisa already, last year in December. An acquaintance, Kayla, who owns a picnic business (Avalon Kay Picnics) was good friends with an old high school friend of mine. Through my old friend, whom I photographed a Baby Shower of one of HER friends, I met Kayla who was the event/picnic organiser on the day. Kayla reached out to me in November last year and asked if I would be interested in shooting a proposal on Mt Tamborine. Of course, I JUMPED at the opportunity and was so humbled to meet May & Sisa in the flesh where they shared an intimate proposal days before Christmas.
Now I can understand why networking truly is the biggest superpower in any business.
Anyway, let’s cut back to their wedding day. I’m not going to go into too much detail, instead I’m going to word vomit some of the best parts of the day (in my opinion). Moments such as an old relic from a dear family member gently placed around the neck of the bride by her own mother, a blessing by the bride’s father, tears from the groom during a vulnerable moment in his speech, traditional cultural dances and a traditional gift giving ceremony. These were all such beautiful, gentle moments that I remember fondly from the day.
However, hand on my heart, a 10/10 time, my absolute favourite part of the night was when the bride took over the drum set and completely aced it in front of all of her family and friends. Of course, the bride then challenged her newly appointed husband to go ahead and do the exact same thing. This, my friends, is one powerhouse of a married couple!
After the thrill of the drum session I realised that the whole day had been an all around exciting and educational experience. I was privy to a beautiful exchange in cultures that I’ll likely never witness again in this lifetime and that is something extraordinary in itself. The pure joy in my heart for the bride and grooms’ love for one another AS WELL AS the love between the two cultures, could not be contained. It was exhilarating to be a part of such an experience.