Almost unbelievable, but true
Happy Spring! Sometimes you hear a story and so no way. This could not happen. I have photographed over 600 Weddings and I think that I have seen everything but I am always amazed when I have not. This Wedding story is no different. All I can say is WOW! A Wedding story for the ages, top five.
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This story takes place on an island in Northern Michigan. No location or people will be named to protect the clients identity. This story is one hundred percent true and is witnessed by me as a photographer.
It all starts with a phone call from an old friend who is in need of help photographing a Wedding. Since I am open for the day I agree to assist as a second photographer.
I am told that the bride and groom are both “models.”
Everything is great until the lead photographer calls me the week of the Wedding and says, “I have some bad news.” My first thought is, well, they aren’t getting married and I have the day off, which is a good thing in the Summer.:-) That isn’t it at all.
The lead photographer explains, “The bride caught the groom cheating on her…but they are still going to have the Wedding.” The photographer goes on to explain that the Wedding is paid in full and they have guests coming from a long way and rooms booked and and and…
The Wedding day
When I arrive on the Wedding day to photograph the men, there are a bunch of good looking chaps getting ready.
I introduce myself and go about my business documenting the bride and groom’s Wedding day as I always do.
All that goes through my mind is how much of a scumbag this groom is. How in the World can anyone do this?
The best man comes up to me and says, “Don’t say anything, I know about it, the groom, the bride, and the photographers. No one else.”
I agree that I am here to do my job and that my lips are sealed.
A Wedding story for the ages, top five
The bride and groom agree on a first look.
I really don’t know what to think at this point. Why do they want to see each other if they are just going through the motions to have a party?
We set up the first look. This is also the first time I see the bride and WOW is she beautiful. I can see why they are both models. Very beautiful people.
When they see each other for the first time it is if they are the most in love people in the World. They kiss, hug as if it is the last one ever (sidenote, it might be?), grab each other like they are long lost lovers (this might be too), the groom lifts the bride with giggles from the bride, and they make for great Wedding photography.
I am behind my camera saying, “Is this real?”, “Are we being played?”, “Where are the cameras videoing us?” This has to be a joke on us, right?
That isn’t the case either.
The Wedding ceremony comes and goes. The bride and groom do not sign the marriage license. There is no mention of a marriage license by the way, only from the officiant which is handled by the best man promptly.
Following the Wedding ceremony the Wedding party gets on bikes and rides around while the guests go to cocktail hour. More images with the family, Wedding party, and bride and groom.
Coming into the reception I am curious about the events and speeches. They are all to be held as normal.
Everyone sits, the bride and groom enter holding hands, kissing, and taking their seats.
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Then the toasts begin…
Father of the bride goes first. He welcomes everyone and then goes on a five to ten minute toast about how the groom is the best guy in the world and how she is just perfect for his daughter and blah, blah, blah.
I am looking for the waste basket to vomit at this point. I honestly put my camera done and tried to hold my jaw up higher than my camera which is now at my waist.
Many times during the day I find myself pinching my skin to make sure that this is not a dream.
Then the best man, the maid of honor, and finally the bride and groom with a “Thank you” toast.
Dinner is served.
The lead photographer and I have a bit of a pow wow to discuss our disbeliefs. We are both scratching our heads at this point. Why are we here? What will they use these images for? Why bother?
Time for dancing to begin.
The DJ has a hard time getting events going because people are always missing from the reception when he needs them? Where are they going? What are they doing?
All the events proceed as normal. Who would think anything is wrong with this day. They pulled it off flawlessly.
I head home around 9pmish and the lead photographer stays a bit longer.
My images get to the lead photographer that evening and I do not hear from the photographer for a couple weeks.
When I do hear from the lead photographer, another story arises within the story. The groom had called looking to get copies of all of the images from the Wedding. I ask why he would even want them. The lead says, “I don’t know.” Then the groom goes on to tell the lead photographer that the bride married someone else two weeks after the Wedding!!!
Wow! Que the brain blowing up…
Do you agree that this is A Wedding story for the ages, top five? Comment below and give me your thoughts and opinions.
If you are planning a Wedding or photography session in Northern Michigan here are some other helpful articles on my Wedding blog.
Northern Michigan Wedding Photographer Paul Retherford
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Paul Retherford is a Petoskey based Photographer traveling all over the World to photograph beauty, love, and personality. Paul photographs Weddings, families, real estate, and aerial/drone photography. Call today to book your session.
