Wedding-Ben & Tessa-Part 1

When I met with Ben & Tessa they asked if I had ever done a Macedonian wedding. "No, but I would love to..." was my response. They told me beforehand that it would be a mix of Macedonian culture and traditional American. It would be complete with a Macedonian band and an American DJ. They prepared me with a list of moments that would occur throughout the day, which was so helpful. As we love to shoot with a photojournalistic eye, the list prepared us so as not to miss key moments, yet allowed us to be free in keeping our eyes open for other spur of the moment emotions.

So here is part 1 of Ben & Tessa's special day......


I knew Ben & Tessa's wedding would be nothing but fun & originality! They chose a picture of their feet -from our engagement session-as the cover picture for their wedding programs.




Tessa looking ultra glamorous in the afternoon light.


Ben was surrounded by friends and family as the Macedonian band played.



The arrival to meet the GodParents. and the dancing continued.....



The tradition of the bride looking through the wedding ring at the groom before the ceremony. Of course, she could only look at his back....she couldn't see the smile on his face until now :)




The grooms' brother filled Tessa's shoe with money until she was happy with the amount!




And now the mystery solved about the handsome groom, shaving cream, a hatchet and a handful of money. Friends and family paid for a chance to shave the groom.




Tessa kicked a bucket of water as she went through the doorway on the way to the ceremony.




I have to say that I love Tessa for her emotions....she cries...she laughs....




and she is real! I want to enter this picture in a contest :)



The GodParents are very much involved with the wedding.






And I can't end Part 1 without a few portraits. We only had a few moments together, but 3 photographers can get many angles in just a couple minutes :)






Tomorrow I will continue with Part 2....with more portraits of the bride & groom, friends, and the party...........