June 2010

A couple of weeks ago, I was contacted by Kurant Events, a local Austin catering company.  They wanted to know if I was open on a particular weekend for a surprise wedding, and if I even did that sort of thing.  As it turned out, I was available for a few hours that weekend, and yes, I was excited to photograph a wedding where the guests had no idea the couple was getting married.

You see, every spring, this couple had a housewarming.  It was a nice affair at their home, fully catered, and pretty low key.  Just a way to get together, and see each other at least once a year.  But over the years this particular spring fling had grown to around 200 guests:  family from around the country, friends, business associates, and even the neighbors were invited.

Of all the guests only a handful of us knew what was going on.  Of course the caterers knew because they were hiding the wedding cake.  And the band knew, because they were going to interrupt the set with the wedding march, as the couple came down the back steps of their house to be married by a minister who was hiding in the garage until the moment arrived.  And I was instructed not to tell anyone what was going on, and to be sure to get lots of reaction shots of the guests as people began to figure out what was really happening.

Boy oh Boy!  let me tell you.  It was absolutely incredible to see the expressions on people’s faces as they realized what was going on.  Nobody had any idea this was going to happen.  Not mom.  Not even the bride’s best friend.   Nobody knew this was a surprise wedding.

This wedding started out as just a regular spring party. Adult Pink Lemonade was the signature cocktail.

There was tons of great food. Lobster egg rolls were passed as appetizers.

Gourmet sliders were grilled on the back patio BBQ

When you come to Austin, you might see someone playing washers, a game similar to horseshoes

Cold drinks were on hand to keep everyone refreshed

Over time, guests knew to dress-up for this annual party.

This is Austin, so of course there was live music.

Mom's reaction when she realized her daughter had changed into a wedding dress.

This is the moment when everyone learned this was more than a regular spring party. The band began playing the wedding march, and the bride and groom came down their back stairs together.

The bride's best friend, who was pointed out to me earlier, didn't even know.

The expressions on the guests was priceless!

The couple had simple handwritten vows.

The couple had simple handwritten vows.

I think it was a relief to finally let everyone know

Here's the happy couple. We decided to do the wedding portrait on the very steps where everyone learned about the wedding.

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