Wednesday, May 19, 2010

The makings of a wedding

This past weekend I had the honor of shooting a wedding on the beautiful Massapoag Lake in Sharon, MA. When emailed by the bride-to-be back in the fall, I was told it was to be a dual Pagan wedding. Not knowing much about the Pagan traditions and certainly never having shot a Pagan ceremony before, I did some research before their big day. I learned that Paganism is one of the oldest religions, rooted in Europe and centered around nature. Pagans believe that nature is the divine core of our universe and that there is no right path, only the path that is right for you. It also can have many sectors and branches, like any other world religion.
But my experience taught me more. From behind my lens, snapping away in the ethereal light of the setting sun, I experienced a group of people gathered for one reason- their love and admiration for two people. This wedding was so unique in its own ways, yet the same in so many others. The mother of the bride still cried. The fathers made their toasts. There was a tender first dance, several silly line dances and many outrageous dances moves. It was a day centered around love and light and hope- and isn’t that what all weddings are?


1 comment: