One of the great things about documenting weddings is the opportunity to get to know friends and family of the bride and groom that I never would have met in other circumstances. In 2018, I documented Alex and Vania's wedding in Yaletown. In 2019, I received a message from someone named "Hae-In" who asked about my wedding availability. At first I was like "who is this?" but I later found out that she was at the wedding of Alex and Vania the year before. After further chatting, I found out she was Alex's sister! Unknowingly to me, in 2018 I was already documenting her.
On the day of the wedding, which took place at Terminal City Hall, I remember hanging out with William in his room while Hae-In was getting ready and then heading over to Hae-In’s room while William was getting married. They did not want to see each other until later that day when there was going to be a first look. This meant I was running between across the hall to the other room for the morning but it was definitely a privilege as I was able to see the two interacting with friends and family and taking their time to relax on the morning in real time.
There was a moment earlier in the morning where I took a photo of Hae-In eating a sandwich. At first I was a bit apologetic for taking the photo as most people don’t like eating photos but Hae-In said to me something along the lines of “We hired you for a specific reason: for your approach to documenting the real day!” This made me super happy.
Despite being a cold late-November day and with daylight being particularly scarce, William and Hae-In enjoyed themselves. While there were some portions outside in the freezing cold (such as the previously mentioned first look), both held out while they went for a walk around Downtown, with me running around like a sugar-high ninja documenting them.
Even though I’m starting to take a step back from weddings, it is assignments like this that keep me continuing to offer it. Although there is change ahead for me and my approach to my business, it is in the documented moments and the documentary candid photographs of events like this wedding that light my fire again. I’m so thankful for William and Hae-In in loving my work and trusting me to provide authentic, honest and beautiful documentary imagery of their wedding day.
The rest of the day took place inside a very warm Terminal City Hall, where... as per usual, I will tell the story through the use of photographs. Jonathan Desmond, signing off for now.
FULL GALLERY: