a wedding

So - my dear friend Karin got married last Saturday, to her wonderful Anders. And it was one intense day, I tell you (and long - I got up at seven to be in Lidköping in time, and fell into bed at about four in the morning). I was the photographer, so I was there early to take pictures of all the guests (160 people - that took a little while). When we were all finally in the church and they came walking in arm in arm, I was on the verge of tears (like people on weddings in American movies!). It was so, so beautiful ... I think that was my most favorite part. They were positively radiant, beaming with happiness.



After the ceremony, we (the newlyweds, another friend named Katarina and me) went to a place near a special tree, where they wanted their photos taken. This was the best part of the whole day, for me. Being allowed to share their first moments as married with them, all alone, being able to actually talk to them more than what is possible during a party with 160 guests. And I just love photographing people - real, good people with beautiful personalities. Laughing together and just being happy. It was such a privilege, and I am so happy that they asked me to do this. The ones in this post are some of my favorites.



And then, the party. It all went by rather quickly .. so many people, so much good food, so many photos to take. I must admit though, is was a little hard being the photographer on such a close friend's wedding. I wanted them to have really good photos, so at times it was a little difficult to relax and just enjoy the party. But after a while I realized that I can't be a better photographer than I am ... that all I can do is do my best and no one is asking more of me than that.



The only bad thing about this lovely day was that I got really tired at the end. There were speeches and stuff until two in the morning, and I usually want to go to bed at about half past ten :) But well, of course I knew that I was going to be tired, and that it was going to be worth it anyhow, so I just tried to smile and take good pictures anyway ... :)

(I realized just now that there might have been one more thing ... that I got a quite horrible thank you gift :). It strikes me now that I probably shouldn't write this here if Karin should read it ... But I don't think she would have chosen something impersonal and quite ugly like that (a sort of silvery glass thing with "modern" Chinese-ish decorations), she knows me better, so I'm going to blame a parent or other relative for the gift-buying. :))



And now they're MARRIED. It's the first wedding I've been to that wasn't someone in the family, a relative. These are my friends, they're my age, and they're married, and it's all so beautiful. Just look at them ... that's love you're seeing, my dears. The real thing.