Sarah & John.........A Wedding Less Ordinary (aka, Simplicity & Design)
Sarah & John! John & Sarah! No matter how I say it these two wickedly fierce friends of mine just go together like PB & J, NOLA & Mardi Gras, or to put a Forrest Gump stamp on them, like Peas & Carrots! However in no way is John simple like Forrest nor is Sarah a wicked mean heartbreaker like Jenny. C'mon!! Don't be so sensitive. We all know Forrest should've given up on Jenny after the first 30 minutes of that movie.
It's no secret that I like to get to know my couples as best I can prior to their big day. Sometimes though it isn't always possible to grab a pre-wedding day Purple Drink and get to the core of what makes my couples tick. Luckily that wasn't the case for me with these two. Give or take a couple of years back I was contacted by Sarah to do some photography for her brilliant online fashion publication, Felicity Magazine. Fashion/Portrait Photography was (and still is) a big part of my early days/College years of becoming a photographer. Sarah set up a nice in home studio space for the photo shoot which was nice for the creative team to have room to work yet close enough to engage in idle chit chat or random playful shenanigans. Some of the collaborators on our first shoot I was already acquainted with but it was my first meeting with Sarah. Within about five minutes Sarah and I were like Forrest and Bubba. Only with a higher IQ! Well, Sarah at least. Sarah has since been a fierce friend and since her and John are by far one of the most ridiculously compatible couples ever him and I had no problem smoking and joking on the porch during breaks in the photo shoot. Plus we are both veterans which always makes the beers and conversation flow much more smoothly.
It wasn't much longer after that first photo shoot that my new pal John couldn't resist locking this girl down and he popped the question to which Sarah emphatically agreed. Well I'm speculating on the emphatic part since I wasn't present for the proposal but these two are ridiculously head over heels for each other so that's the description I'm sticking with. One thing I'm 100% certain of is when Sarah asked if I would photograph their wedding I emphatically agreed with school girl like squeal. Re-enactments of said squeal will be performed by me upon request for 10 bucks or two cold pints of Guinness!
John & Sarah's wedding day was as unique and humble as the couple themselves. Sarah and her fantastic group of beautiful yet absolutely party ready Bridesmaids got ready at Sarah's house. As if there would be any other place they would get ready! If we can do a photo shoot with hair stylists, makeup artists, creative directors, models, photographers and crazy small dogs running wild then her house could handle that crew! They had a New Years Eve wedding held outdoor in New Orleans City Park followed by their reception held at Ralph's almost directly across the street. Much like the adoring couple, Life isn't without a sense of humor.
Almost immediately after the ladies were dressed and ready to depart for the ceremony the heavens opened up and stayed open the entire night. And holy crap when I say it rained I mean I was about an inch of water away from breaking down the custom alter John & Sarah stood under and constructing it into an arch to load family and friends onto so they could row over to the reception! The weather didn't sour anyones mood nor did it hinder the one of a kind sparkler adorned processional which was accompanied by two of the couples good friends performing a tune written just for John & Sarah. Everyone stayed moderately dry under the tent for an intimate and hysterical ceremony. Then once vows and rings were exchanged these two beautiful love sick newlyweds headed out of the tent and without hesitation or even a slight frown or a stink eye to the sky they began wading through ankle deep puddles and a torrential downpour for their second line. Seeing them laugh and dance whilst being pummeled by rain was an epic sight to behold!
I don't know much but what I do know is that relationships of any kind can be a challenge. I wish I could say that every couple I've ever met and/or photographed lived happily ever after but that isn't the case. However I do believe in these two and their marriage. I would confidently bet my soul on them being together forever. Or until the rains wash us away or until being friends with me gives one or both of them a heart attack. I am proud to call them my friends and I couldn't have been happier seeing them tie the knot. John & Sarah, just for the record, please don't make me lose my bet. I'm quite attached to my soul.
Cheers,
Titus
Contributing Vendors
Ceremony : City Park, New Orleans, LA
Hair Stylists : Hans & Adrian Billot, The BeKrewe
Makeup : Midori Makeup Artistry, Midori-Tajiri Byrd
Brass Band - Second Line Band : Andrews Family Brass Band
Band - Sweet Crude
Reception : Ralph's On The Park
Groom and Groomsmen Attire : John's Tuxedos
