I always find it difficult shooting people I know. You have preconceptions about your friends that can affect how you plan to shoot the wedding. I lived with John for a couple of years, and Sian briefly when she moved in and I didn’t take the hint and move out! So I know them very well and was a bit worried about how I was going to shoot them.
One of the things you learn very quickly photographing weddings is to not make judgements about your clients. A couples wedding day is the one day when they can show their true emotions to all of their friends and family. Its a day when you get to see the best of people, with all worries striped away.
Sian and John were honest and beautiful, loving and fun and put on a real party. I like to think that a marriage is serious, but a wedding doesn’t have to be. Sian & John clearly didn’t take their day too seriously, having fun with some of the pageantry and embracing the party. Any marriage that starts on a day with a double rainbow is destined to last.
PS – for some reason Sian & John felt it necessary to bring a bag of wigs and animal masks to their wedding? They made the photo booth go off with a bang!