Sebi & Julie

At the end of this last summer, a friend of mine was talking about one of her girlfriends in need of a photographer on short notice for a Friday night wedding coming up this October. The bride was from Argentina and didn’t have time or the means to research and contact anyone so any referral she could get would be great. Well, it just so happened that I am a photographer and I was available that night! I normally prefer to only photograph weddings of family and friends, but since my friend is one of the bridesmaids I felt this was a worthwhile loophole for the non-all day Friday event.

The bride was from the Grand Rapids area but life’s path landed her in Argentina, where she met and fell in love with Sebastian. With each of their families located on different continents, and wanting traditional weddings, they elected to have a celebration at each location – a ‘planning feat’ all on itself. When they arrived back in Michigan, they had formally been married in Argentina about a week prior. The United States celebration would be a traditional event, but on a friday night and on a slightly smaller scale for close family and friends.

After the bride and I had exchanged a few emails and had come to terms, I was out with our mutual friend again – who had one of the other bridesmaids with her. She introduced us, and instantly her and I were giving each other that look of ‘how do we know each other.’

“Have we met?”

“I don’t know but I was thinking the same thing.”

We proceeded to go over all the typical things one does when that happens but came up empty handed. We were still convinced though. Our mutual friend said, “if you guys have met, she’ll figure it out. She has an uncanny memory.” And then the friend went on her way. About two hours later she came running back in – it had hit her. Back in 2001-2002 a close friend of hers and I shared an apartment in college and she was over quite a bit. And If I recognized her, then I was probably going to recognize other bridesmaids and friends, including the bride! (admittedly, we had a bit of a “party apartment”) So this wedding I had agreed to do for a “stranger” was now for an old friend! What a small world!

Well the day held up great; late October in West Michigan can get you temps in the 80s, snow, or anything in between. This day gave us “traditional” fall weather and was dry. We were able to get a few outdoor photos as well as a few indoors before and after the ceremony and then headed over to the reception hall for a nice relaxed evening. An Argentinian tradition, in lieu of the ‘bouquet toss,’ is the ‘ring on a string in a fish bowl’ – Actually I have no idea what it was called but I just titled it as I saw it. With the same premise as catching the bouquet, all the single ladies simultaneously reach into a bowl and pull out a ribbon. One of the ribbons has a ring attached. It was a neat addition and the ladies enjoyed it.

As the evening wound down and the dance floor started to thin, a request was made to the DJ and next thing we knew there was a group rendition of Madonna’s “Like a Payer” was taking place amongst Julie, the bridesmaids, and many of her friends. I guess old college traditions die hard.

Julie and Sebi, I wish you a lifetime of happiness and safe travels as you visit family. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your beautiful evening.

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