As I mentioned before, I had to find replacements for weddings that did not cancel/postpone due to my own fears of COVID-19 in the beginning. I didn’t start going back outside until Fall. I’m not sure what clicked, but I felt like I needed to dive deeply into photography to get my mental health back to a manageable level. Photography did that for me, weddings especially.
Anyway, back to the wedding. Once I reached the 2020 Fall months, I was starting to develop some comfortability with shooting again. Especially with the strict guidelines most venues, particularly in Southern California, were only allowing a certain number of guests for outdoor ceremonies with no cocktail or reception. This wasn’t ideal for most couples, but for some it was enough. I think most people just wanted to celebrate where and when they can since the future of the world was so uncertain.
Venue: Los Robles Green
Photographer: Arie T. Photography
Coordinator: Jamison Events
Florist: Garden Florist
MUA: Lindsay Makeup
Vintage Car: Distinctive Carriage
Wedding Dress: David’s Bridal
I went into this wedding as I do most weddings: Reaching out via email to the bride & groom to finalize details leading up to their wedding date. Rebecca and Anthony were my first wedding couple in 2020. I was nervous, since I haven’t shot anything consistently. So I was feeling a little rusty on poses, etc.
Luckily, it was their first time getting married. So if I felt a little off, they couldn’t tell. HAHA
I reached out to Anthony & Rebecca after our time together. Here’s what they had to say:
“Our wedding planning experience was met with so much uncertainty due to the pandemic. We really didn't know how the day was going to pan out. We couldn't have food served or have a reception. We were limited in the number of people we could have. It was not like the wedding we were planning for months before the pandemic hit but we were going to enjoy every second of it regardless. Arie was there in every one of those seconds. From the moment we started getting ready until the very last guest left after the ceremony, Arie was there capturing each nugget of joy experienced at that wedding. I'm not the most creative when it comes to wedding poses but Arie was fantastic in guiding us and finding beautiful locations and poses. I am a huge fan of candids because, again, I am not the most graceful with posing. She captured so many of those vulnerable and authentic moments with friends, family, and my husband. Because we couldn't have a reception, we, instead, took photos with everyone after the ceremony. This was the first time MANY of us saw each after MONTHS of quarantine. To be able to take a moment to take photos and catch up together was perfect and Arie helped organize all of that. She was so flexible and kind and her sense of humor helped break the ice for an awkward bride like me. I am so grateful for her support in the craziest time to get married and thanks to her, I have photos to last me a lifetime to remind me of the most intense yet happiest year of my life.”
And I'm such a crybaby. I literally have tears in my eyes rereading their heartfelt recall of our time together. As some of you may know, 2020 was extremely hard. This wedding was my first after those moments. I was alone during the pandemic, no family and barely any friends. There were moments where I wouldn’t leave my apartment for months at a time. But this- this wedding was the first one I shot once I felt brave enough to leave my house. I'm so happy we got to share that experience.
To Anthony & Rebecca,
I'm always wishing you both happiness and wellness this year and for years to come. I hope to see you all again. A huge HUGE thank you to these two beautiful people for choosing me to be a part of their wedding during such unprecedented times (we heard that a million & one times before) But I truly mean it.
I’m so ready to get more weddings in my books, so if you know anyone getting married send them my way! I travel state-to-state, country-to-country for weddings so don’t let your location deter you. I may be a lot closer than you think! I even have some availability this year, so it’s not too late! Inquire now.