Fotografo de Bodas, Santiago

August 10, 2009

I have been thinking about what I was going to write about Heather and Nick ever since the moment we left their wedding. I keep writing and re-writing this post in my head, because nothing I can think of really does it justice. So I guess I’ll just tell it like it is.

Nick was on the same study abroad program in Chile as me way back in the day. He was one of maybe 5 or 6 six guys on the program (out of like 40 maybe, I can’t remember exactly). So when I walked up to him to introduce myself, he did not respond with the typical, “My name is Nick.” He just looked away and said, “I have a girlfriend.” He made it clear that he wasn’t interested in talking to anyone of the female species.

At first I thought that was a little arrogant, and I was kind of off-put. But, as time went on, it became clear that Nick is simply a good guy who wanted to let all of Santiago know that he was NOT available. While other people on our program would drink too much Pisco, go out and cheat on their significant other, and then come back and cry about it, Nick did the opposite. Well, he didn’t skip the Pisco drinking part, but he would come back and cry about how much he missed his girlfriend to anyone who would listen. As I said, I initially thought he was a little bit rude, but after I realized how sincerely committed he was, I actually started thinking that was really sweet of him to be so rude to everyone on the program all in the name of love.

Devotion like that is hard to come by. I joke around with my friends sometimes that of all the problems Seba and I have/will have in our relationship, cheating is pretty much the least of my worries — he’s as loyal, if not more loyal than Papito. Nick is one of maybe three other guys I have ever met that is just as faithful, if not even more so. That’s saying a lot — I hold my husband to the highest standards and I don’t go tossing around comparisons to just anyone.

So as our time in Chile flew by, Nick endeared himself to me so much through his faithfulness to Heather. Like I said, it really isn’t every day that you see someone, especially our age, ESPECIALLY on study abroad, love their significant other with that much loyalty and devotion. I mean, while we were in college he even had written in his Facebook profile, “I have a black belt in keeping it real, I love my girlfriend so much it makes me wanna crap my pants.” He had now changed the world girlfriend to fiance, hopefully he’ll update that soon to wife!

After all that talk about her, I reaaaaaaaaaaally wanted to meet the Mythical Heather. She came down to Chile (where Nick proposed!) but sadly we didn’t get to hang out too much because I was in the middle of my own romance with Seba. However, after Nick proposed we started talking about us possibly photographing their wedding. That was TWO years ago!!!! Needless to say, we have been messaging back and forth for a long time. I feel like I’ve gotten to know her better online than I ever did when she was in Chile. As we became closer, I started getting more and more excited about her and Nick’s wedding. And honestly, when we arrived in Wisconsin for the Big Day, it felt SO great to see old friends and be a part of such a beautiful time in their lives.

They’re a couple that exudes nothing but pure joy. I’ve photographed 14 weddings now and Heather was hands down the calmest bride I’ve ever been around.

Is the groom lost? No worries, we’ll find him.
Are we behind schedule? Not a problem, we have plenty of time to get the ceremony and reception in.
Is it about to TORRENTIAL DOWNPOUR? That’s ok, I love storms!

All day, I felt her love for Nick and her happiness to be marrying him after all these years (they’ve been dating since they were 15) trump any minor details that could possibly go wrong. Heather wanted to say I do, and then hang out with her man, and the people that love them — nothing more.

I completely understood Nick’s devotion and love for Heather. Heck, in just hanging out with her for a day I developed a serious girl crush. She’s hilarious, she has a magnetic energy that draws everyone around her in, she’s cool as a clam. And she made the most gorgeous bride. The wedding was stylish, relaxed, fun. I think and hope that it was everything Heather and Nick could have ever wanted.

So see for yourself. I’ve been typing too long now — here go the photos of the Getting Ready part of Heather and Nick’s wedding!

Who doesn’t love a bride who gets ready in a Van Halen t-shirt? Granted, she wanted a Van Morrison shirt, but oh well.

I LOVED these bouquets with the feather in them.

Our equipment has a life of it’s own and Seba’s lens walked into this photo right as I clicked the shutter button. But I kind of like it. After all, taking pictures is a big part of the day too, right?