I have to say this has been one of the most difficult blog posts for me to write. There’s so much to say and so little room for which to say it. When Celine asked me to photograph her wedding in France back in December of 2008, I almost went crazy from excitement. We instantly kicked things off with emails regarding football, food, and wedding plans. 6 months later, we meet over coffee in Houston to talk face to face and figure out if we were a good fit for each other. After that, I knew she and Justin had an unrehearsed kind of love and believed hopelessly in the romance of their relationship.
I recall Celine describing her wedding to me, all the events, the close family and friends, the French chateau nestled in the wine country of Bordeaux; one word kept coming up: Romance. Not only did she want the wedding to be romantic, but the entire week to be as well. She dreamed of a week where people from both sides of their lives became friends and congregated to celebrate their wedding with them. That by the time their wedding ceremony took place, they had not just their approval, but the united support from their families and friends. They extended that invitation to me and welcomed me into their intimate circle of friends and family, inviting me to join them for an entire week of festivities and a celebration of romance.
So, I’m going start backwards with this post. At the end of these images is a link to a slideshow summarizing the entire week. (There’s some French music to accompany the images, so if you’re at work, I’d suggest turning off your speakers.) Between you and me, I’d like to post 200 images from their wedding, but I think most people would not appreciate that. So, it pains me to just show 20 right now, but hopefully the slideshow will help you see the complete story.
Celine and Justin planned a week long of activities starting with a welcome party on Sunday, a winery tour on Monday, a tour of the famous St. Emilion on Tuesday, and a river boat rehearsal dinner on Wednesday, all before their wedding at Chateau Lagorce on Thursday. We also spent a day in Paris on Friday before they left for their honeymoon.
Celine and Justin, I don’t know how else to say this. Thank you. Thank you for welcoming me and befriending me. Thank you for getting to know me, sharing your lives with me, and laughing at my jokes. Thank you for taking such good care of me and for being so comfortable with me to share your intimate relationship with me and my camera. I have no idea how I am so lucky to call you friends.
Last but not least, I’d like to thank my close friends Aric and Casey for coming on this trip and capturing this wedding with me. The trip wouldn’t have been the same without you guys and I’m so thankful I was able to enjoy my first time in Europe with good friends.
