It's official. Same sex marriages will be legal in California starting June 17, 2008. This is a big milestone for the community and I say "It's about time!" I've had the opportunity to photograph several commitment ceremonies and these events are extra special to me. There’s always an immense outpouring of emotional support from friends and family and it's always very moving.
I'll never forget shooting a commitment ceremony on the grounds of the opulent St. Regis Hotel in Monarch Beach. Both women had their families flown in from the east coast and one of the bride's childhood rabbi conducted the ceremony! No expense was spared; their dresses were Vera Wang and the rings from Tiffany's. When the rabbi pronounced them a couple, I was astonished to witness not only the wedding guests but all the hotel guests’ pool-side giving the blushing brides a standing ovation for nearly 5 minutes.
It’s double of everything when two women marry so I look forward to photographing two beautiful bridal bouquets, diamond rings and gorgeous bridal dresses, lots of extra girly stuff.
I photographed another ceremony in Washington on the cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Peter and Anthony blew me away with all the personal touches they added, which went unnoticed by their guests. They prepared for months building an amphitheater at the ceremony site on their secluded property. The guests walked through a wooded path to their seats. It was an almost sacred procession with the whispering of the wind and the faint sound of a lone trumpet player somewhere in the forest. The most memorable moment happened as I was photographing the couple on the decent to the ceremony site. The sky had been dark and gloomy all day with the threat of rain. They made the last turn on the winding path and emerged into the clearing. Just then, as if in a dream, the sun broke through the clouds and illuminated the two of them. They paused briefly, smiled at their guests and the ceremony began. I still get chills thinking about it. I often think that if love were visible, I briefly saw it in that light.
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