What are "Intentional" Weddings?

What is an "intentional" wedding? To me, it is a couple's thoughtfully planned wedding. Maybe small, fun and informal or a grand gathering of friends and family or something in between... Whatever the plans, they are especially chosen to reflect the couple as individuals and as part of your friends and families' lives.

My job as a documentary photographer is to make pictures that reflect my client's wedding. These pictures reflect the emotions of the people gathered to celebrate. As well as the details, customs and traditions that the couple chooses to reflect themselves and their friends and family.

Let me show you some examples...

Nora and Chris wanted their wedding to be a true reflection of who they were. The ceremony was in two parts. The first part was a Quaker style sharing by friends and family and the second a more traditional ceremony with nontraditional reading by his sister.

The wedding was held at a beautifully restored barn. Just the right touch rustic elegance for Nora and Chris.

The Quaker ceremony included Nora's father sharing that ever since she was little she could find four leaf clovers with amazing ease... which she proved by doing so during the ceremony.

Then Nora's dad passing the clover on to Chris

The sharing of themselves didn't end at the ceremony. In lieu of gifts they asked their guests to bring likenesses of the bride and groom, made by hand or fashioned from other items.

Some of these beautiful items

Nora's reaction to seeing these gifts for the first time...

And the sharing of family pictures

This is just a small sample of what made Nora and Chris's wedding, their own wedding.

Before I move on to examples from other weddings, notice anything different about Nora's wedding dress? It was her Great Aunt's dress from the 1950's. And a better dress couldn't have been bought to reflect Nora's charming personality

Kelly and Jesse's wedding is very different in many way but very much an intentional wedding as well. They were married at a beautiful stone church right on the ocean in Kennebunkport, ME.

In fact, this spot is where Jesse proposed to Kelly while on vacation the previous summer. Much to their luck they were able to reserve the church for their wedding (this church is a very popular wedding location with a waiting list for most summer dates... not surprising considering how beautiful it is). Since they live in the midwest they would invite close family (about ten all together) to travel with them and share in their marriage at this idyllic location.

Family played a big role in the whole day but especially the getting ready...

After toasts and well wishes were shared during an intimate gathering.

What you are planning? How do your plans reflect your personalities? What "intentional" traditions, customs, and details are you going to incorporate in wedding? I would love to hear more. Email me to set up a time discuss how I can document your "intentional" wedding.

melissareidphotography@yahoo.com