I photographed a wedding over the weekend for a lovely couple from New York City. A great weather weekend!
When they first contacted me and said they were getting married in Maine on May 21, I cringed a little. Do you know what the weather can be like in May?” I asked. “It has been known to snow.”
They were OK with it and said, “What will be will be?” They would be in Maine and that's all that mattered. Family ties and frequent visits were more important than weather. Whoever shows up will be fine. Close friends and family would try and they were good with that. So was I.
Friday's rehearsal was absolutely perfect --- bright sun, little wind and reasonable temperatures. It cooled off for the evening lobster bake but everyone had extra wraps and there were toasty fire pits to share. The moon came up, just shy of full over East, at around 7 o'clock.
The full moon was special. The groom's parents were married on a full moon and the soon-to-be newlyweds' proposal was offered during a full moon on Damariscove. The moon was important.
The groom's family has Quaker influences. Early in the ceremony, guests were asked to rise and say something, then sit in quiet for a moment to absorb and meditate on the importance of the day. Between comments, I heard a cooing, almost pigeon type sound, from the drain tide flats next to the ceremony location. I thought it odd and didn't pay any attention. But it continued and I got curious.
There, on the mud flats, were the two gulls photographed above, clearly smitten. It was predestination. No one from the wedding even noticed. Within seconds, they were gone.
What will be, will be.