Finally, FINALLY!! I have completed the mammoth task that was my sister’s in law’s wedding from last May. The wait was finally over (for her), and I even managed to have everything ready for her and new hubby to view exactly on her birthday two weeks ago. She said it was the best birthday present ever! Phew.

I have featured her wedding dress in another post, and today I just want to share a few of my favourites. Since I was at the wedding in a family capacity, not an official photographer one, I did not cover the complete day. I whipped out my camera during preparations, family gathering stuff, and a bit during reception and dinner party. It was an especially long day. I was already by the bride’s side when the make up lady came at 8 AM, and only went to bed around 2AM, the next day.

After viewing the photos, the bride said ” ..you managed to capture the feelings of the whole day on the pictures you sent me! You have it all. The love between us on the opening dance, the excitement during make-up as well as the taste of the food on the reception and the dinner later on!“. 

Oh Joy.

The bride’s preparation and family stuff at home

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At the Party

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All that Dancing

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In Belgium, your wedding day usually starts with pre-noon drinking. This is when the groom-to-be and entourage pick you (the bride) up from your house, present you with a lovely bouquet of flowers for you to hold during the procession, and basically make sure you are there and ready. This is also the time when the two families mingle and exchange pleasantries over some light snacks and champagne before the more serious stuff begins. Then everyone will be ushered into their assigned cars, that have already lined up in the right order, to go to the town house to meet the town’s mayor who is going to legally marry you. This process takes about a half hour tops. If you choose Jesus, then your next step after this is to head straight to the church. Depending on the timing, this is the time the bridal party likes to sneak in some photo sessions. While all the make up is still intact, and everybody feels jolly still from the morning bubbly earlier. The church ceremony is pretty standard. You can have it short (no songs), or you can drag it out longer (more readings, longer songs, slower walk) as you like. Next on the list is the reception. The wedding reception generally runs before dinner, 5-7 PM, for colleagues, relatives you love less than your first cousin, friends of your parents, well, you know the bunch. These people are served canapes and alcoholic beverages. Invites to the dinner party usually already arrive at this time as well, so they really have to pace themselves on food and booze if they are going to fit anything inside their belly at dinner party afterwards. Dinner starts the real celebration of the wedding day, and the usual first dance, thanking parents and cutting the cake are included. The dancing that comes after dinner runs pretty much all night long. At my own wedding party I remember I went to bed around 5 AM. It is hardcore.

This was my daughter’s first wedding party. She was super excited with all the dancing. Her eyes went as big as saucers, and her smile never left her face. She danced with her father, me, or whoever took her little hands that night. There were a couple of shots I took that night when she was dancing with the father of the groom, who is an excellent dancer. He is a great ballroom dancer. He was awesome. He took me to the dance floor as well, but soon ditched me, because of my two left feet. Ballroom dancing is really not my thing, that is my excuse and I stand by it. This father of the groom danced with my daughter and it was a sight to see. They both were really into it and my daughter’s expression was so priceless.

And here are other captures from the dance floor. This time it is very precious to me. Made my heart ache a little, how sweet it was. The father and daughter dance.

The party went on until the wee hours of the morning, but we were out after midnight. My daughter was almost asleep on her feet so tired from all the excitement she was. It was a great night. My family travelled back home to Australia after a couple of hours of sleeping.