Why 2 Photographers Are Better — Here’s Proof

What should you look for in a photographer? A twin. Well, actually, to have TWO photographers. Yes, it costs more. But if you can afford it, it’s much better. Don’t believe me? Well, take a look at a wedding I officiated a few weeks ago.

If you have one photographer, they will get the shot of the bride walking in (Tiger chose to go solo, then all 4 parents — hers and his — joined the bride and groom at the front):

With two photographers, you also get:

The typical kiss shot is like this:

With a second photographer — and the amazing perspective offered by the balcony at Hotel Baker in St. Charles — you also get:

One last example, the first dance, which showcases why it’s called the Rainbow Room — check out the colored floor lights, each one a thick square glass with a light in it:

The balcony view, taken at the same time:

My thanks to the terrific Jason Kaczorowski of Jason Kaczorowski Photography for the images. He had some of these photos on a laptop to show the guests during the reception! See more of his images from their wedding on Jason’s blog.

Read their touching proposal story — she visited the ring daily at the store until one day it was gone — on my blog.

Read about the unity wine they did — the first time I’ve ever done that — on my blog.

Unity Wine — Something New

We have all seen unity candles. Fairly new is unity sand. For the first time ever, I did unity wine.

Early in the ceremony, connected with memorial candles and flowers for mothers, I said:

Mark and Tiger, you have chosen at this time to have your mothers come up and fill the cups you will use later for your unity wine.

The two mothers poured wine from a carafe into a lovely, clear wine glass.

Later, when a couple normally lights the center unity candle or pours the sand, I said:

As Mark and Tiger share from the Unity Cup, they share in the joy that is created when two people make a lifelong promise to each other. The two small cups represent their two lives. The center cup symbolizes their wish to unite the marriage.

Earlier, your mothers filled your individual cups.

Mark and Tiger, your life has been shaped and filled by your family, so it is a family member who has filled each of your cups.

Now you two will pour HALF the wine from your individual cups in the Unity Cup.

Wine from each up is added equally to the Unity Cup, symbolizing the equal sacrifice you both happily make to create your marriage. There are two reasons that not all the wine in your cups is used.

• First, this is a reminder that while you are joined together, you continue to be individuals. Your individuality is what first attracted you to each other and what continues to draw you together. So, celebrate your individuality and treasure each other’s uniqueness.
• Second, your family has helped to fill your cup through the years, making you the people you are today, and they will continue to shape your lives. Just as the wine poured by your family remains in your individual cups, so the bond you have with your family will remain as well.

In your marriage, as in this wine ceremony, may each of your lives be perfectly combined together (gesture to the Unity Cup). And may your individuality remain cherished  (gesture to the individual cups). As you share from this Unity Cup, may it be a symbol of your commitment to each other, to your family, and to your marriage.

(The Officiant passes the Unity Cup to the Bride and Groom.)

There are more religious versions — different not in actions but in the explanation — as well.

For a couple looking for something new or different, this is worth considering. It works nicely.

Read Mark and Tiger’s proposal story – which I shared with their 100+ guests at the historic Hotel Baker — on my blog. She visits THE ring daily at the jewelry store — until, one day, it’s gone!

See why two photographers are better than one — with proof — on my blog. It features the good looking couple, Mark and Tiger.

She Visits THE Ring at the Store Daily. Then it’s Gone!

How did Mark propose to Tiger?

She worked at the Apple Store at Woodfield Mall in Schaumburg. She finds a ring she likes at CD Peacock — directly below her store. It’s THE ring she hopes to receive — someday. She visits it often on her lunch break.

One day, it’s gone. They tell her it was shipped to another store — they needed that size. Mark had set it up with the store to tell her that. She thought of the ring no more — they had convinced her it was gone.

Mark had, of course, bought it. He asks her dad for permission to marry his daughter. Her parents are in the know.

December 11, 2008 Her mom makes up a story that her car is broken. So, mom has to drive her to work. Working at the Apple Store is stressful.

She is surprised to see him at the end of her shift. She can not remember where she parked the car. “You didn’t drive to work this morning,” he reminds her. “I’m taking you to Galena for your birthday.” They stop by her parent’s home so she can pack. They head off the bed and breakfast.

Friday morning, they have breakfast at the B&B. The owners tell them about a picturesque trail behind the building. It’s sunny and bright, snow is on the ground, it’s upper 40’s. They go up the trail. They sit on a bench at the top of the ridge. It’s a beautiful view. They sit in silence, enjoying the view.

He expresses his love for her. As he moves to get down on one knee, she realizes, “This is it! It’s actually happening!” He gets down on one knee — in the snow. “Tiger Katherine Noelle, will you marry me?”

She says “Yes” with a big giggle afterward, a squeal. She swore to herself she would not cry. She tears up — a bit.

He puts the ring on her finger. She gives him a bone crushing hug and a passionate kiss. It is very romantic and peaceful.

They have another day and night in Galena. She mostly keeps staring at the ring.

+++++++++++

I told this part of their love story earlier this month to 100+ guests — they loved it — at the historic  Hotel Baker in St. Charles, right on the Fox River. Mary Laman did a wonderful job of taking care of all of us.

Yes, Tiger is the bride’s legal first name. She went through the hassle of legally changing it.

The couple did something unusual — they had the ceremony indoors even though it is pretty along the river. I so appreciate that. All of us — bride, groom, bridesmaids, groomsmen and, yes, me — look better in the photos when it’s 72 degrees inside vs. being hot and sweaty in 85 degree weather outside.

Read about the Unity Wine – which I did for the first time — that Mark and Tiger did at their wedding.

See why two photographers are better than one — with proof — on my blog. It features the good looking couple, Mark and Tiger.

The Most Elegant Wedding This Year — for 20

When you think of a Sunday evening wedding for 20 people — including the bride and groom — you think of a couple doing something simple, off peak, small.  Last weekend, Linbin and Xueping (pronounced “Shray-ping”) executed the most elegant ceremony I have done so far this year.  (And that is saying something.)

They had exclusive use of the lovely Cuneo Mansion & Gardens in Vernon Hills. That’s a good start.

It was a very hot day with bright sunshine angled right in the eyes of the bridesmaids, best man and me. But by the time the ceremony started, a bit late, the sun had set behind the trees. There was still a bit of light shining on the road when the bride entered on a horse drawn carriage! Notice her veil in the sunlight.

The bride and her father walked down a path with columns and beautiful flowers.

After they exchanged their vows, in English, they spoke of their love for each other in Mandarin — so their parents, who live in China and only speak Mandarin — could understand what was being said. (I love multi-cultural wedding ceremonies.) Notice the beautiful white draped backdrop with purple flowers (the color of the day) draped across the top.

A string trio led by the wonderful Paul Ghica serenaded us with music — while waiting, during the ceremony and during cocktails and hors d’ouerves. Genevieve Manning of Kenmare Catering did a lot of running around to attend to the myriad details of this event. She made it all come together. Well done. The photos, done beautifully and quickly, are by Adrian Natase of Adriannastse Photography, Inc. Thank you, Adrian.

The evening ended with the reception inside the mansion.

The bride, Linbin, e-mailed me on Tuesday. “What a wonderful ceremony you did at our wedding! Everything was beautiful and amazing. Xueping and I are both very glad that we chose your company and you as our officiant.”

I love what I do.

And You Thought YOUR Wedding Planning Was Complicated…

The wedding, set for July 31, is so cloaked in secrecy that in Washington, where the mother of the bride holds down a day job running international diplomacy for President Obama, details are harder to ferret out than the president’s Afghanistan strategy. Even guests do not know the locale; invitations came with instructions to be within driving distance of Manhattan, plus a promise that specifics would be sent a week before the big day.

The couple? Chelsea Clinton, 30, and Marc Mezvinsky, 32, “an investment banker at 3G Capital Management and a son of two former Democratic members of Congress, one of whom served prison time for fraud.”

Read the full story about the social event of the year in the New York Times. Sorry to say, they did not ask me to officiate :>(