By Steve Burns

Who’s the most nervous at a wedding during the procession?  Is it the photographer as the bride and her father approach?  Is it the groom in anticipation of his bride to be?  Is it the bride anticipating joining with her groom at the alter?  Is it the father of the bride who is about to give his loving daughter to another?

Well the photographer should be a bit nervous, as should both the bride and the groom.  The photographer, is possibly nervous because they can’t control the moment though they have honed their craft so well that they could function on autopilot if called to so.   They are ready, their gear is ready, and their back up gear is ready and their mind is engaged.   The bride and groom may be a bit nervous in anticipation of their moment together at the alter, however they have a relationship that has been on going and is about to grow even more to support them.

The most nervous person is actually the father of the bride.  Even though he is beaming with pride and confidence as he walks his daughter down that isle where he will shortly give her away to his soon to be son in law; he is full of nervousness.  It doesn’t matter if they are the elder statesman President Clinton as he was walking Chelsea,  or if they are the simplest of common men.  They are all nervous  as they are about to give their child that they raised away.

When we are nervous, things can catch us unaware. It happens to all of us, and it should not be looked at as a fault, or an embarrassment as it’s simply a part of life.

For all of the fathers out there, here is something to be aware of.  I’ve seen this happen twice in as many years.  As you walk your daughter down that isle, she is going to be on your left arm. Your family is to the left side of you as well.  When you reach the head of the isle you will give your daughter a kiss and give her away to her groom.  As you do this she will cross a bit in front of you to join the groom.  As that happens you will turn to your left and go join your family.

If she is wearing a long veil it might blend in with the floor.  So as she walks slightly right and up to the alter, her veil will cross in front of you, and it is going to be difficult to see.  You might possibly step on it, or get tripped up in it.   If this happens the comb and veil will suddenly be ripped out of your daughter’s hair.  Oh-oh!

Thankfully the bride’s father did not fall.   And because I was immediately behind them I was was able to pick up the veil as the bride approached the priest waiting at the alter. As I approached her from behind, I took a quick look at the priest, who gave me a nod.  So I quite simply put it back into her hair at the alter as if nothing had happened.  Think auto pilot.   From there on their day went on as planned, two wonderful people were married, and we attended a wonderful reception a bit later that evening.

By Steve Burns

A while ago I had the pleasure of photographing my dear friend Manny son’s wedding.

Karyn and George where married in a Greek Orthodox Wedding Ceremony at St. John The Theologian in Tenafly, NJ.

Their ceremony is one that I particularly love to witness.   It’s with good reason that I’ve fallen in love with the various aspects of, and the symbolisms in their service; having documented several over the years.

After their wedding mass, Karyn and George chose to have romantic photographs done at the beautiful Davis Johnson Gardens in Tenafly, NJ, a donation supported formal garden that loves to work beautiful brides and their grooms.  Without donations those lovely gardens would not exist.

The reception was held later that evening at the beautiful Graycliff in Moonachie, NJ.

Karyn and her girls getting ready.

Karyn, as a very beautiful bride.

Karyn being escorted down the isle by her father Carlos.

Karyn and George during their marriage ceremony.

Greek Orthodox Wedding Ceremony.

Beautiful late afternoon sun at Davis Johnson Park.

Karyn’s first dance with her now husband George, as their wedding guests look on.

And of course George and his uncle had to lead the cheers that evening!        Steve Burns

[ by David M ]

Rings. Wedding bands. They symbolize belonging, unity, trust, love with no end. They are probably one of the strongest tokens associated with the very idea of marriage, a sign of the unbreakable vows. Most of the time they are also an important detail for the photographer. Creating a ‘special’ image of the rings for each couple is a challenging task. Inspiration can come from almost anything. Personally, I always try to talk to the bride or groom and ask what is their “thing”. That’s how I end up shooting the rings on baseballs:

…watermelons:

…hershey candy bars:

…and chestnuts:

Sometimes I get inspired by what is around me or what is going on around me at the time of shooting:

…and sometimes I look for the weirdest possible graphical element or illustration:

Whatever happens during the ring photography, dear grooms and best mens – please make sure you have them with you before you leave for the ceremony