Josh and Madeline – Wedding!

Josh and Madeline had one of the most heartwarming wedding days I have ever had the opportunity to be a part of.

Josh and Madeline had a wedding day that was different from most other weddings and a different process and experience for me as well. With all that in mind I’m going to write this more as a journal from my view than a play by play of the day like I normally do. M’kay, here we go.

I could write a few paragraphs about how me shooting this wedding came to be but it would get long. Ask me about if you see me in person some time. I got to go see the girls first where they were getting ready as usual. And that was the last usual thing about the day. I walked in and all these bridesmaids were instantly chatting with me like they had known me for years and I was part of the group. Honestly guys, I kind of was. I have never met a group of ladies more warm and welcoming. Especially in a wedding day atmosphere where stress can be high sometimes. Not here. Not a lick of it.

And her dress!!! colorful florals were embroidered all over it and it was gorgeous! Their videographer was of course part of this huge friend group and when she walked out in it he was crying along with everyone else. It was such a moment!

Time to go get married!

The wedding was at their house and I knew it was going to be a unique ceremony. Very spiritual, very grounded, and very hot. It was a really hot day and all the guys were still happy to wear their heavy wardrobes and thick vests. Cape included. At least they didn’t have to wear uncomfortable shoes. They didn’t wear any shoes in fact. All the guys were barefoot the whole time. I told you, grounded. The atmosphere getting ready for the ceremony was so joyful and downright friendly. When Josh saw Madeline walking towards him with her dad he was all tears. The emotions were so raw it made just want to take it all in.

The ceremony…

Josh and Madeline stepped into “the nest” for their ceremony. They had built a large circle of branches and twigs with flowers woven in. Together, they stood in the circle with the shaman performing the ceremony – I hope I have the right terminology there. The guests were seated all in a circle around the nest. At one point there was a Celtic chant and the sense of togetherness and community during it was something I will never forget. I cried a little. I’m not a big crier on wedding days (except for the mother and son dances) but I was already at three choke ups at this point.

The sentiment of this ceremony is way up there on the charts! They planted a tree to grow at the spot they made these commitments to each other and read beautifully written vows to each other. Two good friends (who will appear in our story again later) performed the music. The reading was from a children’s book that was very fitting for the day. And when they walked out, the two of them kept right on walking. They took 15 minutes or so to walk away from everyone and have their first moments as husband and wife be just theirs. I love that!

Photo time!

Bridal party and couples photos were a breeze. The whole time it was like I could just be this fly on the wall watching a group of really good friends hang out. This group has been together a long time and through a lot of changes. I’ve never known a group of people to make such a purposeful effort to maintain their friendships. They really have that part of life figured out. And they’re all creatives and talented, some of them seem to be fearless in the art of living their life. Madeline and her bff started a fire performance company together, Cloud 9 Fire Show. Who has the guts to do that!?

Moving on with the night. We get back from pictures and on the stage they built sits Madeline’s little brother at the keyboard. He performed one of her favorite songs for her! It was so cool and he’s pretty young. Again with the fearless thing. Dinner was KRB’s barbecue and I’m telling ya, the best coleslaw I’ve had in my memory. Pretty soon it was time for the speeches. All 6 of them. And they were all great. Also, everyone paid attention because it was all stories about two people they really truly care about. When Josh’s mom gave a speech though that took the cake. Apparently speaking in big groups isn’t usually up her alley and Josh was so shocked that she did that for him. It was the sweetest. Cue the waterworks again!

A party like no other….

Remember how I said this whole friend group is a bunch of creatives and artists? Well, some of them are also musicians. Two of Josh and Madeline’s friends are singers in their own bands. I’m sorry I didn’t catch one of the band names but the other is Wookiefoot. These two guys along with another guitar player and a backup singer/daughter came together to play for the first couple hours. It was the most fun jam session I’ve ever been to. Okay, I’ve never really been to a jam session and now I might as well never go to another one cuz this was so cool.

Josh and Madeline had a different artist for their first dance though. One of her favorite songs is by another musician friend who couldn’t be there. But he video recorded himself playing it and sent it as a surprise. She almost started crying when his face came on the projector screen with a message for them!

It was a crowd filled with flow artists and natural performers. They had LED hula hoops all over and the way half of this crowd could just whip those things around was so fun to watch. I had to figure out how to light differently so the glow showed up and played with some slow shutter speed to show the motion. Seeing all them being creative and free with their movements maybe sparked a little something! Also, my shoes were gone before dinner and that was the best!

It just keeps getting better!

There was a point when the song was this fun upbeat little diddy about friends being family. Spontaneously, all the people on the dance ground were in a line, arms around each other singing together like something out of a movie. I felt so special just being there at that moment. I even got a little choked up again! But wait, there’s more…

When that first set was wrapping up the guys singing asked the guy who had brought his didgeridoo (that’s not dirty, that’s a real musical instrument) to come on stage to beat box. The daughter back up singer and Madeline’s little brother then went into a rap battle. Everyone loved it and then the fella with the didgeridoo busted a few of his own lines out. People, even the things they all said about Josh and Madeline while rap battling were sweet! Seriously, how do so many great people find each other in the world?

One more little tidbit…

You think I should be done since this is easily the longest blog post I’ve ever written but you made it this far so keep it going! There is one more highlight I have to bring up that I thought was so unique and special. While the band was wrapping up to prepare for the DJ to come on, Josh figured there didn’t have to be downtime in the music. He stood up on stage, just him with his guitar and sang a few songs himself. Madeline was dancing with her bedazzled cowboy hat and light up hula hoops and silk fan thingies that I’m not cool enough to know what they’re called. How many brides get to dance to the music their brand new husband is spontaneously performing surrounded by the best friends and family she could ask for on a perfect September night?

After I packed my gear in my wagon I grabbed a cup of sangria and for a little while I just stood and watched. There were so many times throughout the day that I just wanted to hold on to the feeling of the moment and appreciate the chance to be a part of it.

Josh and Madeline, thank you so much for letting me be a part of your world for awhile. I will never ever forget it. You guys are my new and improved standard for an awesome couple! From the bottom of my heart – you are some beautiful humans!