Fragments – The Letter
This is the story about a letter.
You see, I could put this image up on social media and you’d probably skip right by it. I could post it on my blog with all the other images from the wedding and you’d probably not even notice it.
It’s not a hero shot. It’s not even an obvious emotional shot. But this, without a shadow of a doubt, is my favourite image from the entire wedding.
But without knowing the full story, it’s just a bride reading a letter.
I shot over 5000 images that day, and yep, the wedding was incredible. The sun beamed down, the sperry tent dressed to perfection, the groom looked handsome in tweed, the cocktails were amazing and the New York Brass Band were brilliant. It couldn’t have been any better…
But it was the letter that stopped me in my tracks…
It could be a letter from anyone… maybe the groom telling the bride how he can’t wait to see her as she walks down the aisle to become his wife.
But it’s not…
It’s about a little girl. A little girl who grew up to be an amazing Doctor. A little girl dressed in a beautiful hand made Anita Masserella gown, who was about to walk down the aisle. A little girl whose mum had sadly passed away and wasn’t there to watch her all dressed up and about to head for church.
With bridesmaids bustling about, and last minute preparations underway, the bride’s wonderful father took her aside, trying to get a moment alone… a little bit of time to say the words that all dads need to say before their little girl becomes a wife.
He produced a gift and warmly handed it over. It contained an exquisite necklace – a family heirloom which Helen will cherish and perhaps pass on to her daughter on her wedding day. And she beamed when she saw it, and thanked him and said it was beautiful.
And then she opened the letter.
It was elegantly handwritten on heavy weight paper and she took some time carefully unfolding it and began to read it intently.
Between the three of us, not a pin dropped. I watched from nearby discreetly photographing them both as she pored over every line, her proud father smiling broadly as she read.
The letter talked about her achievements, how happy she seemed and how proud her mum would be… how proud both her parents were. That letter held so much love. The bride finished reading and carefully refolded it.
There was a silence. There was a smile. A hug, a little kiss. Of course Helen didn’t need the letter to know how proud her parents were, it was there for all to see in her father’s eyes. The necklace was very special but I have no doubt, it is the letter she will cherish more.
Words don’t cost a single penny, but they remain so incredibly powerful. Taking time out to write your daughter a letter on her wedding day is one of the most beautiful things a parent can do.
These are the moments that live with me and remind me constantly that it’s the little things that are important. They might not seem as big as ‘the first kiss’ or the ‘cutting of the cake’ or the ‘first dance’, but to me they are much more significant.
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