John and Darryl
Let me tell you all about John and Darryl. I came to know these two from a networking group Darryl and I were a part of. Darryl was in a different chapter of the group than I was, so we didn’t run in to each other often, but when we did cross paths, Darryl was always sweet and welcoming. When he contacted me about photographing his wedding I was beyond excited! We chatted on the phone and it became clear, in Darryl’s list of important wedding planning items, photography was high on the list. I love to hear this, because this is how I treat wedding photography too! When I approach a wedding, I know that these photos - aside from our new significant others - are some of the only things you walk away from a wedding with.
After our initial chats, we decided to take a quick tour of their venue and talk logistics. This was the first time I met John. At first glance John seemed to be shy and cautious, but as our interactions evolved, I could see his sweetness and humor. He was quick-witted, even quicker with a smile, and you could see the love between the two of them play across their faces as we chatted about the best lighting and angles for their space. I loved these two together.
What I love to do more than anything is photograph love and connection, and these two had so much love between them. We started with a little set back when we weren’t allowed to take pictures in the hotel, but that didn’t stop for long! We popped into Printers Alley, strolled around past some of Nashville’s beautiful murals, and then popped into the Dream hotel for a quick photo-op out front.
We stopped for a quick coffee break, and with that we were headed to the War Memorial Auditorium. I think this is where John and Darryl really hit their comfort level. After pictures with the family, we did some quick dancing like no one was watching, and grabbed just a few more beautiful photos of them in the cream-colored light.
At the venue, everyone was assembled under warm bistro lights and Edison bulbs which played beautifully with the old, weathered bricks and modern exposed ductwork at Marathon Village. As I headed off to find my perfect eagle-eye spot for the ceremony, I snapped one more shot of Darryl and John before the big show.
No sooner had I perched up on the windowsill, Darryl and John came dancing down the aisle together! I love this shot not only because of them, but also because of all of the people in the crowd who were just so happy to see these two heading towards the ceremony site. When we chatted after the ceremony they told me they had both started to get emotional getting ready to head in, so they had to break out those dancing feet to keep the tears at bay!
The ceremony itself was beautiful. John and Darryl both wrote their own vows. They were touching and beautiful, funny and full of love. It highlighted their history together, their commitment to each other and to weather any trials together, but most of all it exemplified their love for each other. When it came time for these two to seal their union with a kiss though, John’s best man stopped the presses, and from behind his post, whips out an aerobics step!! The crowd erupts in laughter and John gives his best man a playful punch on the arm, but without missing a beat John jumps on the step, and these two seal the deal. With the room full of exuberance, John and Darryl dance back down the aisle.
As the room flips, we head outside for a few choice mural pictures, but then it’s back to the party! After their entrance, we were all treated to some classic Nashville hot chicken, barbecue, and more beautiful and touching speeches from John’s long time friend and Darryl’s brother. The cake was made by a friend of theirs, and the topper brought me back to one of my favorite pictures of the two of them at War Memorial Auditorium.
After cutting the cake, the scene swiftly turned to dancing with a sweet dance between the two grooms, and another with both of them taking turns dancing with Darryl’s mom. As we all dabbed our tears, the dance floor filled up again and it was time to party!!
This wedding was one of the last events I was able to photograph before the world seemed to turn over with the pandemic, but I couldn’t have wished for a better one. It brought me right back to the loving spirit that drew me to weddings in the first place. I am so very happy to make it my work to capture it. There is nothing better or more powerful out there than love, and sooner rather than later, love will bring us all back together again.
Amanda is a wedding photographer in Nashville TN.