Jenna and Josh, Rainy day Black Creek Wedding
Who: Jenna and Josh
Their story: Planning a wedding can be a big undertaking. Organizing a wedding amid changing Public Health Orders, with family coming from out of town, adds an opportunity for a special layer of chaos. However, if you are Josh and Jenna, you are able to keep your cool and handle it with grace. When Josh and Jenna contacted me to photograph their wedding I was filled with joy
Photographing a Falk family wedding is a special opportunity, where you are surrounded by kindness and collective care When we started working together there was plan A in place, then it went to a revised plan A, next it was plan B, and then plan C, which was basically planA with some minor tweaking.
There are some bonuses to this uncertainly.When we are connecting so often to adjust to the new landscape and consider "what if's" I get to know my clients better. For my couples, they have to lean into what matters to them - the actual marriage and make that a priority - and it is actually very romantic. Additionally, my favourite way of working is to have a solid plan and then have space to accept what the day brings. This is exactly what we did and when the summer day came we were all thrilled with the plan. However, we were thrown some curveballs.
The day started with a tea ceremony at Jenna's childhood home. Jenna, dressed in traditional Chinese wedding garments waited inside, peeking out the window as the bridesmaids led the 'door games', which test the groom's determination to marry the bride. Once the bridesmaids were satisfied, Josh was let in to collect Jenna. Next, Josh and Jenna, kneeling, served their elder's tea as a sign of respect and appreciation and the elder’s acceptance of the marriage was shown by providing them with gifts. After the tea ceremony, the bride and groom changed and then headed to their family church. With adorable children scattered about, the ceremony was introduced by Josh's dad and lead by Jenna's dad, as both of them are pastors. After an emotional ceremony, they wisely served all their guests ice cream (note to future couples' - there should be more ice cream at weddings.) and then..... the skies starting turning black and it was clear the worst storm of the season was quickly its way.
So what did Jenna and Josh do? They just kept smiling.
They were so deeply focussing on their love for each other and their community and appreciative that, after months of drought-like conditions the earth was receiving some much-needed moisture. When the sky opened up, the rain boldly announced its arrival and brought along thunder that made us jump. As the rain kept pelting, we headed out to a nearby field for portraits. It was a hilarious team effort as bridesmaid Kinshasa, dressed in full Gortex over her dress, and my assistant Sarah, ran point on umbrellas while Jenna and Josh's laughter just became stronger. You would think after being under buckets of water, Jenna and Josh would be done with photos, yet, when we met with their wedding party, their energy and joy were still radiating. Incredible. Like I said, photographing a Falk wedding, is something special. Jenna and Josh, since we first connected every moment with you has been so lovely and authentic. I am so happy you two found each other and brought us all together to celebrate your commitment to each other. You are a kind, wise, down-to-earth couple with a beautiful ability to laugh easily. And as a couple who enjoys adventures, it is totally appropriate that your wedding day brought some unexpected excitement.
The details: The couple was married at the Black Creek Community Church by the bride’s dad. After the ceremony, the couple served their guests Blue Spruce Ice Cream, before they went to Crown Isle Resort for a reception. Their stunning flowers were done by Rachel at Crescendo Floral Studio.
