Jerrold and Katrina “Amazing Grace”
I’ve been to over a hundred weddings in the last few years . You could say I pretty much know the drill. I’ve seen many tears both of joy and anxiety being shed, I’ve seen awkward family situations and too many drunk bridesmaids. I’ve heard enough funny, heartwarming and terrible wedding speeches- enough to make me figure out which ones were written from the heart and which ones were from Google. I’ve seen a lot of beautiful women on the arms of their proud fathers walking past teary eyed onlookers . And then there’s that look- the look on the grooms face when he sees the love of his life coming towards him. I think of the flashback of memories that come to him as his bride walks down the aisle to their song and I myself try to hold back the tears behind my camera, at the same time doing my absolute best to make sure that moment is eternalised in a photograph.
To say I love weddings is an understatement. I love how unique each one is and the anticipation and the thrill of capturing all the wonderful things happening all at once. Life behind the lens at Mayad has been one amazing ride! When it was my turn to be infront of the camera, I thought I knew pretty much what to expect- how I’d feel, what to do, how to “pretty cry” and angle myself in a favourable position. But despite years of wedding experience, on the day of our wedding, everything felt surprisingly and wonderfully new. So new that I ugly cried my way throughout the aisle (despite constantly advising our brides to just let the tears flow), I got excited about everything that was happening, every little detail. Without a camera, I kept on stopping and looking around, trying to take mental snapshots in my head and doing my best memorise the faces around me, all those exciting feelings and committing to memory the day that I will look back on forever with so much joy and gratitude. But above everything, I was just floored by the Grace of God. For the favor He has showered upon our relationship and our lives despite our many shortcomings. I felt His love and grace, in the form of that absolutely beautiful day spent with the people we love the most.
Out of all the weddings I’ve been to and after experiencing my own, I can conclude that it isn’t all about the fancy details or the lights or the elaborate styling. At the core, your big day is all about the both of you and above it all, the Author of true love and His purpose for your union. It’s all about your relationship, the love cultivated you’ve over time and the Grace that has allowed everything to come together and begin again on one perfect day. As cliche as it sounds, I love love stories. I always have and always will. I love telling them and capturing them. But I’ve got a feeling that the story I will keep on telling unceasingly, for years and years to come is ours. Ours is my favourite.