Their story is a modern fairytale. They began dating a couple of years after I met Andrew. Carl and Andrew were roommates at the time, along with our friend Aadip, and Andrew's twin brother, and his twin brother's girlfriend (now wife). Got all that?
But for bewildering reasons I chalk up to a strange misalignment of the stars and planets, Carl and Natalie parted ways for a time. About 7 years worth of time, during which Natalie moved to Europe, and Carl moved around the country a bit, and eventually found his way back to our area. He became The Person Julia Adores Most in this World. My kiddo completely idolizes Carl. It seriously caused me extreme gastric distress at the thought that this amazing person might not end up with the right girl and have a family someday.
Then one day, the right girl appeared again. And now they're married. And all is right with the world.
My reward for crawling all over the floor in my dress and lugging a camera around on a hot hot day was that the bride said she cried when she saw my photos, and Carl told me the nicest thing ever: "Melissa, you are an amazing photographer! You have a real gift."
I'm so happy they were happy!! And I think I'm going to take a few photography classes in the fall and actually learn what all my camera does, so that I can really chase my love for capturing beautiful moments on film. Or a digital memory card.
Let me show you some of their fabulous day.....
All of these fabulous hairstyles on the bridesmaids and flower girls? The bride did it all, on the day of the wedding. Before she started getting ready herself. She didn't even look stressed!
The bride's brother performed the wedding ceremony and it was one of the most beautiful wedding speeches I've ever heard. He described Carl and Natalie's time apart from each other as "the story just didn't seem to be written right.....
Can you imagine what I thought of all of those Japanese parasols, me the avid Japan fan? I looooooved them, that's what. Hey, who's that handsome fellow up there? OH I MARRIED HIM. Andrew and I had a very different kind of wedding. It was a Christmas, winter wedding! (you can see more of our wedding here as well. i love weddings.)
It was a beautiful day, a happy and fun wedding, and the bride looked like she stepped out of a vintage Vogue magazine. And our beloved friend Carl never looked so happy in his life. I can't believe these two found each other again. Life is SO WEIRD and full of amazing surprises, and sometimes really good things happen to really good people. I love it when that happens.
You are truly gifted Melissa. Your photos are amazing! Julia is simply adorable with her peachy dress and parasol. Congrats to the newly weds. They are beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThank you Cherie!!! Did I mention that Natalie also found all these vintage dresses on Ebay and thrift shops, and then did any alterations needed herself? Yeah. AMAZING!
DeleteVery beautiful photos! It looks like it was a lovely wedding and I love Julia's flower girl dress.
ReplyDeleteJulia was just a-flutter and a-glow at all of her finery....:)
DeleteYour photos are gorgeous! What an amazing wedding. I love the dresses and parasols. I can't believe the bride did all the hair. Julia looks so lovely and happy! xoxo
ReplyDeleteNat's a hairstylist and special event hair and makeup stylist! She's sooooo talented. But to whip all that out on your own wedding day.....I'm still amazed.
DeleteTake the classes!! So many people who claim to be "Real Photographers" don't get shots like you did, so if you could improve - wow. I'm impressed. Also, the paper parasols for a summer wedding was a genius idea. Unique without being over the top - and such fun.
ReplyDeleteDana @ Project Day
Dana, thank you a million times! I feel intimidated at the prospect of every asking people for $ for any photos. But baby steps. I might do some shoots free of charge for a little bit, so I can build up a portfolio. :)
DeleteThe paper parasols.....I just adored those! When grouped together with the peach dresses, they all looked like something out of a ballet :)
Looks like an amazing wedding! Great pictures - that's a great idea for you to take photography classes, Melissa! And Julia looks adorable.
ReplyDeletethanks Leanne!! Julia was on top of the MOON in her outfit :)
DeleteWhat an amazing wedding and what an amazing couple! The reception looks so pretty with the lovely summer flowers and white tablecloths and the weather looks just perfect! You captured their special day beautifully. Julia looks so happy and adorable and you look beautiful... love your hair!!!
ReplyDeleteha ha ha Julia!! I look all fancyish with mah straight hair! I went and got myself a flat ironing for their wedding. It's now back to its normal just-emerged-from-the-spin-cycle craziness....:)
Deleteguess what else, we got take home a jar of flowers from the wedding! I took one with lilies and they bloomed for a good solid week :)
Love. Love love love! Incredible wedding, incredible pictures- now I'm off to follow the linky to your own wedding...
ReplyDeleteI still recall our cake with perfect clarity! It was choc with a choc orange filling. REALLY GOOD! :)
DeleteHow wonderful and what beautiful pictures. You talented girl. ;)
ReplyDeleteI love how her tats match her dress.
Oh pish posh, you are too kind!!!!
DeleteI think Nat has great tattoos! They're pretty and delicate looking :)
The moment you speak out your vow and be his wife, you are sure to embrace beautiful life in your grand wedding dress.
ReplyDeleteYEAH! :)
DeleteThat beautiful bride is my baby girl that I love more than life. I couldn't ask for a better man to be her husband and watch over my baby girl. I hope we are just as fortunate with Natalie's two sisters. By the way, the man that performed the wedding is my baby boy. I love him just as much. Melissa, these pictures are awesome!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks SO much!! It was beyond fabulous meeting you, and the rest of Natalie's family. What amazing kids/grandkids you have!!
DeleteIf I weren't already married I would fly Julia over to Sao Paulo so she could be my flower girl - so beautiful, Melissa! <3
ReplyDeleteLove the photos - the bride looked gorgeous, too!
ooooh the bride was SO stunning, Patricia!!! It was all such fun :)
Deletewow! everything is completely gorgeous! What a beautiful wedding and beautiful pictures. I loved looking at them!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you liked it all, V! I feel so happy looking at these photos, almost as much as I do looking at my own :)
DeleteStunning! Stunning! Seriously-- how gorgeous!! Perhaps its time for my thesaurus trick again..remarkable, extraordinary, staggering, incredible, outstanding, amazing, astonishing, marvelous, phenomenal, splendid; fabulous, fantastic, tremendous, jaw-dropping.
ReplyDeleteJaw-dropping, there's our winner! The whole event and your photo account of it? JAW-DROPPING!!
you know, i value each and every one of the comments I receive on my bloggy, but Whitney comments are a special brand of awesome. XOXOXO!
DeleteWow, what a nice wedding dress, so eleganc, also the place for the wedding is so romantic and gorgeous. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeletesweetquinceaneradress