Zhinous & Johan’s Romantic Wedding / Uppsala / Sweden
Every single wedding that I have the honour of photographing, I wake up on the day and tell myself “This is going to be the BEST wedding you will ever shoot Monica”. I put my heart and soul into the day, always being present and sensitive to what is unfolding. It takes many moments to make up a wedding day. The day is overflowing with emotion. One moment intense joy, and the next overwhelming tears. I photographed Zhinous’s sister Anahita, and brother-in-law Gustav’s wedding in 2012, and then her friends Ghazal and Yashars in 2014. It was wonderful to see them all at the wedding again. Their entire family are so warm and kind, and it is obvious how tight-knit they are. The day started off with clear skies, then the heavens opened and it poured and poured. But the light was beautiful. Oh my word, so beautiful….and Wynand, (the genius videographer from White Lines) and I just smiled at each other…because we knew what magic we were going to create. Zhinous got ready at the lavish Grand Hotel Hörnan and Johan got ready at their stylish apartment nearby. They decided to see each other before the ceremony, so had a ‘first-look’ at the Hotel…with Johan nervously waiting for Zhinous to meet him outside. Zhinous appeared in her graceful, layered wedding dress, by designer Justin Alexander. It was a gentle moment and I remember holding my breath and then getting tears in my eyes. There had been such a build-up to the wedding day, and then suddenly it had arrived!
I photographed a few with them at the hotel, then headed to the Botaniska Trädgård. We waited it out in the car until the downpour eased, and then took more photos in the stunning gardens. The ceremony was moved to indoors because of the weather…but then minutes before, the sun appeared and everything cleared up….and the chairs were quickly moved outside. Family and friends gathered in the gardens and witnessed the couple commit their love to each other. Then everyone headed to have canapes and drinks, and then proceeded to the lawn for the Persian ceremony. The ceremony commenced with Johan seated in front of a table, laden with symbolic food and items, and then Zhinous joined him. Incense was burned to ward off evil, and two sugar cones were ground over the canopy above them, showering them in sweetness. A candle was put out with the heel of her shoe, to show that all their troubles in life will be vanquished by the couple together.
The reception and heartfelt speeches followed in the banqueting hall. They played the wedding shoe game – whereby they were asked questions (which had everyone laughing!)and then had to hold up a shoe for the answer, to show how well the couple know each other. When they all proceeded to the dance floor, it opened with the “Rakhseh chagho” (money/sword dance). The knife dance is performed so that the couple will be able to cut the cake. The groom is supposed to buy the knife from the brides friends and lastly, her sister. It was fantastic to watch and photograph as dollars were scattered onto the dance floor! The DJ, Meybod Kia did an incredible mix of songs that kept the dance floor full. Thank you Zhinous and Johan for booking me and having me share the day with you both. It was a huge privilege and a wedding I will remember forever. If you wish to share their wedding blog onto your facebook page, there is a link at the bottom of the blog that you can just click on.
Here is a sneak preview from White Lines Videography: click here
