Worth the wait: The wedding of Stephanie & Anthony
I know, I know. The title, right? But believe me, it applies to this wedding.
You see, Anthony & Stephanie were supposed to get married in 2020. Exactly, 4 years go. But we all know what happened in 2020. We had a lockdown caused by a virus. And so, this beautiful couple had no choice but to postpone their wedding. Keep on reading, its worth it.
Life sometimes has a funny way to write our story. A beautiful, young couple. The perfect definition of 1+1=2.
So when Stephanie called me last year to let me know that they were finally hosting the wedding of their dreams, I was ecstatic. There was such a good and positive energy from the moment I first spoke with them 4 years ago. The big day was finally coming. Yay.
But there was a surprise. Actually, two surprises. You see, 1+1 isn’t 2. No no, 1+1=4.
In these 4 years of wait, these two love birds added two bundles of joy to their household. a beautiful girl and a baby boy. Isn’t life wonderful?
As a wedding photographer, I've been privileged to witness countless love stories unfold through my lens. Yet, yesterday's event held a special significance for me, as I embarked on the unique challenge of capturing every heartfelt moment solo. You see, very rarely I shoot weddings alone. Despite the absence of a second photographer, the love and camaraderie that enveloped the venue made every click of the shutter feel like a shared celebration.
One of the most striking aspects of the day was the sheer magnitude of love and support present from family and friends, many of whom had traveled from across North America to be there. Their presence was a testament to the profound impact this couple has had on those around them—a reminder of the power of love to transcend distance and time.
As any other wedding day, there are always logistic challenges, like finding the perfect location for capturing portraits with little amount of time. We were lucky tho. The Chateaubriand is a beautiful reception hall that offers lots of opportunities, like a fence of trees, a fountain outside and a beautiful staircase inside, leading us to the beautiful reception halls upstairs. Surely one of the reasons why Stephanie and Anthony chose this location for their wedding. If you want more details about this reception hall, just click on any of the pictures below, it will direct you to their website.
However, with creativity and determination, and a willingness from Anthony and Stephanie to follow my lead, we transformed these urban landscapes into stunning settings that perfectly encapsulated the essence of the couple's love story.
Despite the logistical hurdles, the weather smiled upon us, blessing us with a beautiful day characterized by mild temperatures and clear skies. And true to the spirit of Italian weddings, there was no shortage of delectable food and drinks to delight the senses—a fitting celebration of love, laughter, and la dolce vita.
As I reflect on yesterday's events, I am reminded once again of the profound privilege it is to bear witness to moments of love and joy. Through my lens, I strive to capture not just images, but the essence of a couple's journey—the laughter, the tears, and the quiet moments of connection that speak volumes. And yesterday, amidst the backdrop of a love rediscovered, I found myself humbled by the opportunity to play a small part in their beautiful story.
Braulio Rocha
Rocha Studio