Michelle and Marlene

The day began at the hotel. Both dresses hung side by side on the door, and on the table lay the pink and orange bouquet, perfume, the rings and the stationery with both names.

Then came the things you cannot do on your own: all the buttons down the back, the lacing, the veil in her hair. When photographing getting ready, I like to include whoever is helping. You will recognise those hands in the photos later.

The two saw each other for the first time in the hotel garden. A first look belongs to the two of you alone, before the guests arrive, and here it started with a big grin and then a long hug.

Right afterwards their friends joined them, in rust and pink to match the dahlias in the bouquet.

More about the first look

For the couple portraits we went into the woods. A dirt track, light between the trees, and the two made each other laugh so much that I hardly needed to direct anything. Then came the bubbles, which glow in every colour against the light.

And then there was a beetle. Michelle loves all animals, so it got to stay and ended up in the picture.

Back at the hotel the two had a little time to catch their breath, and I used it to photograph the decorations and the venue. White fabric hung beneath the rafters of the barn, the tables had dahlias and cosmos in small glass vases, with candles and ivy. In the garden the benches for the ceremony were already waiting.

Photos like these happen before the guests arrive. After that no table looks like this again, and on your own day you probably never get to look at it in peace.

The hotel room had a white bookcase with a ladder, and it turned into a little series. Pulling out a book, climbing the ladder, looking into it together: small tasks like these help when you do not know what to do with your hands.

Then one more touch of lipstick, shoes on, and down to the ceremony.

The processional led down the steps into the garden, and at the arch there was a long hug first. During the ceremony the two sat side by side, laughed, wiped away tears and read their words to each other.

At queer weddings an outdoor ceremony is something special for me every time. The two stood in front of the people who matter to them, and at the end came the kiss everyone had been waiting for.

After the recessional everyone went straight to the courtyard for the drinks reception, with hugs, congratulations and a glass in hand. A saxophonist played live, and the two took the chance to dance a few steps together right away.

Then everyone went into the barn for cake and speeches. Meanwhile I set up my photo booth, with glasses, inflatable saxophones and speech bubbles saying things like She said yes.

Dinner followed soon after. Everything was vegan and very tasty, and afterwards the photo booth was kept busy.

More about my photo booth

While the photo booth was busy inside, we went out once more. There were cows in the pasture, and they were at least as curious about us as we were about them. Soon the full moon rose over the field, and we kept photographing in the dark, finishing at the lit hotel entrance.

For a quarter of an hour like this, I am happy to take you away from the party. Those photos are often among the favourites of the whole day.

In between there was a surprise: the family photos as an A3+ print, signed by the guests. A picture like that is finished on the wedding night and can go on the wall the next day.

Then it was time for the dance floor. First a short dance for the two of them, then it opened for everyone. There was lots of queer music, a really great atmosphere, and we all had so much fun.