Friday flashback.

It’s not a secret; I’m a PK (Preacher/Pastor’s kid) and what means is that I come from a fervent and what some may consider being a ‘religious’ background. A belief that stems from my colorful background is the belief in marriage. As such, weddings were and are ultra-common year round in our church. I probably attended and participated in more than Jane did in 27 Dresses. I attended average 6-10 weddings a year since I could remember.

Having a good looking young dad as a Pastor had it’s weddings perks. I often marched down the aisle, held a cute boy’s hand, got my hair and make-up all nice and done (when allowed), got a pretty new dress and shoes, and, of course, the first dibs on the main course. I became acutely cognizant of wedding timelines and details. I’ve had Saturdays booked way before I became a wedding photographer. I’ve been a flower girl, ring-bearer, pillow carrier, train holder, bridesmaid, and bridesmaid of honor among other roles. For a while, I didn’t mind it, and I eagerly looked forward to the grand events. At times, couples were not able to afford all the luxuries that often came with wedding planning. People in our church would pitch in with food or favors, and I often stepped in as hair and makeup or (cue the drumroll) the photographer. I always had fun. It wasn’t until I became busy with three jobs, college, and an internship that I attended less and less of these events.

As soon as I got a taste of wedding-less life and had a few Saturdays off, I became fed up with weddings and weekend events. Yes, you read that right. I was on a wedding hiatus. There was no other way to explain it, I had more than my fair share and it sufficed to permanently turn me away. I even ended up distancing myself from friends and family members who I knew were on the fast-track to the altar, solely to dodge a wedding invitation or any involvement. I had come to the conclusion that it was too much hype and planning for an event that would last less than eight hours.

It wasn’t until Victor proposed that I was slowly reeled in the matrimonial blogosphere. I pinned, downloaded, saved, and printed ideas for my own day. I started to understand how every detail, plan and person taking a part in in our day was special. It grew heavy in my heart that our wedding was an event that was going to be one of the biggest, most defining moments in my life and I wanted to celebrate it with abundance of love. I also wanted to honor all the people near and dear to us. I viewed it as a sacred event–a starting point for a long journey ahead. Needless to say, I had become quite the wedding-perfect zilla.

After vows were exchanged, the last toast was made, and the Rolls Royce drove us away, I wanted to relive the day over and again. I earnestly searched posts, updates and what friends were saying, and if there was any avail sneak peek from our leading photographess lady. To say it satiated my post-wedding appetite, it did not and I moved on to what other brides did on our shared wedding date. Yes, the wedding bug bit me bad, and I haven’t recovered since.

I now have the experience of being a bride, and it’s by far the best. Getting to see all the people that you love in one place celebrating a once-in-a-lifetime day was the epitome of happiness and bliss. As a photographer, I’ve been to many many more weddings since, and I can still say that I hold back from crying when she turns the aisle with her best guy on her arm. By far my favorite part, when he looks at her for the first time. That moment is beyond priceless and can’t ever be replicated. Out all of the roles and love affair events I have attended, getting to witness it behind my own looking glass comes close to getting to be a bride again in my own wonderland.

CAUTION: You will now experience a flashback to the 90’s and 2000’s irreversible trends. Please disregard ill choice of style. Now showing a few pictures I could find of little me in some the affairs as mentioned previously.

All dressed in white

please excuse the hair

my face says it all

yes, please excuse the hair.

As a wedding singer with my best friend a little brother

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