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“I love you. I am who I am because of you. You are every reason, every hope, and every dream I’ve ever had, and no matter what happens to us in the future, everyday we are together is the greatest day of my life. I will always be yours.”
Patrick and Rira live and work in South Korea’s cosmopolitan capital, Seoul. They love the diversity of cultures and food Pyeongtaek (the area where they live) has to offer. Visiting different restaurants and sharing their favourite ice cream are just a couple of things they enjoy doing together.
The couple’s friends and family are quite diverse too. Pat’s mom flew in from the US and most of his friends who attended the wedding, are US military soldiers stationed in Seoul. Rira had friends fly in from Sydney, Australia too.
Rira chose this wedding hall for its rooftop garden way up on the 36 th floor. We began the day there with some couple and family portraits. It was a cloudy and cold winter’s afternoon. Nonetheless we got some beautiful shots against the crisp, partly-blue sky.
It’s tradition in Korean weddings for the groom and the couple’s parents to meet and greet their guests in the entrance to the wedding hall just before the ceremony begins. While the bride sits in her very own room for guests to take photos with her. The room was a buzz with family and friends catching up and reminiscing about old times. These are some of my favourite pictures to capture at a wedding. Raw emotion.
I took full advantage of the light the big windows provided on the day. The reflective floor and mirrored ceiling adorned with silver baubles, created the illusion of a winter wonderland. Quite fitting since it was December. The beading on Rira’s wedding gown shimmered in this perfect light.
The wedding ceremony was really very beautiful. Patrick was very emotional when Rira came walking down the aisle. He said she looked so beautiful and he couldn’t believe he was about to marry the woman he loves. Rira on the other hand was just concentrating very hard not to “fall down”.
The reception was at the same venue. Beautiful lights hung from a grid off a high ceiling. Very modern and abstract. Rira changed into a gorgeous off the shoulder evening gown. I loved the softness of it. Because there was no Pyebaek, I hung back and captured the couple (and the proud parents) interacting with their guests.
Patrick and Rira, thank you for entrusting me with your memories!
Lorryn.