I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where.
I love you straightforwardly, without complexities or pride;
so I love you because I know no other way than this….
When I read Pablo Neruda my heart leaps. It leapt when this was read this during their ceremony.
It leaps when I photograph weddings like this. When I see couples like Caroline and Rob. It leaps because I can show you their day.
After the torrential rains of the day before we begin at The Anchor in Lower Froyle. Caroline is there, with her frankly lovely bridesmaids Amy (aka Smokey Bear), Selina and Milly (with Bridesman Carl waiting at the church). All stunning, all exactly what you want on a wedding day – a thank you to Kelly on the hair and make-up. From there to All Saints in Crondall, and ace vicar Tara who’s more than a bit nutty and all the more lovely for it. Rob was waiting, with his men Brad, Jeff and Shahrokh, all freshly flown in from America, where Caroline and Rob now live. All brilliant, and again exactly what you want on a wedding day. This was a beautiful, beautiful ceremony, with the signing witnessed by both Caroline and Rob’s lovely mothers. The sun shone for these terrific people. All day long.
Confetti thrown, we headed for the impeccable Bury Court Barn. Abbi and Jacaranda waited with endless food and drink. A massive thank you, as always, to them. Always first-class and always a pleasure to work with. And a huge thank you to Ollie and Tom from Storybook Films, proving once again that there are some incredible videographers out there and that good ones are a joy to work with.
A lazy summer’s afternoon, fabulous speeches, and then a first dance to end all first dances. Jaws on the floor, mine included. Followed by La Marcha, a traditional wedding dance from Mexican & Argentinian cultures in honour of Caroline and Rob’s heritages and led by Rob’s godparents, Flo & Manuel.
Yet these things simply reinforced the impression of the day. An impression of pure class, elegance, deep, burning love for friends, family and each other and of fierce intelligence. Of a true love story that began in Salamanca and has taken in numerous countries in between. A love story that now resides in Los Angeles, by way of a sleepy English country barn.
Rob. You, sir, are a gentleman. You sometimes didn’t see the way Caroline looked at you last week. I did, and again my heart leapt. You exude class. Gentle, gracious class.
Caroline. Where to begin. Outrageously beautiful. The grace of a dancer. The elegance of a model. Your love story completed in one sense here, yet beginning in others only now.
When we met in London I knew it would be an honour to be there with you, and so it was. Thank you both.
So let me end with a quote from Rob’s speech, and from the Book of Ruth:
For whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God. Even to the end.
This is your day……
