"Live for the moment, and help others do the same…"
I have been blogging for over two years now, and in that time, I have seen many, many thousands of wedding photographs. All of the images I receive touch me in some way, even if many of them don't make it on to the blog. None of the images however have moved me in a way quite like the photographs you see on this page today…
Love My Dress Wedding Blog – Photography Copyright (c) 2011, James Melia
Once in a while, something comes in to your life that makes you stop in your tracks and reconsider everything.
On the face of it, Victoria and Fynn look like any other newlywed couple; happy, in love, ecstatic to be surrounded by family and friends on the most celebrated day of their lives. And all of this is true, in complete and absolute abundance.
But these photographs also conceal another truth, a truth that will certainly be more difficult to bear for some…
Victoria suffers from Adrenal-cortical carcinoma – or 'ACC'.
ACC is a rare and dangerous form of cancer. It affects just one in around 1.7 to 2 million people per year.
Victoria's cancer is terminal…
"I wake very early and take both our dog, Toast, and my mum’s dog Lolly out down the track in the fields behind the house. It’s just light, cold and crisp. The dogs run and play as they have many times before but today is not like any day before or after; the essence is nothing other than beautifully peaceful.
Today I am marrying the love of my life…"
"Me: the five year old kid in dungarees halfway up a tree. Me; the twelve year old girl who wears boots to kick the annoying boys in the playground. Me; the awkward teenager with black hair and an eating disorder and the girl whose most significant bond by her early twenties has been with a traumatised yellow Labrador dog. This is who, through happy serendipity, found her soul mate and is going to walk down the aisle today…"
"Who’d have thought?
Life certainly has its intricate ways of changing things and sometimes we can’t see why things happen to us, but I would like to embrace the belief that all the pain and heartache I had to endure in the last year has led me here to this quiet beautiful moment; utterly priceless in its serenity…."
I will admit now, that the task of preparing this feature to share with my readers made me nervous. I was anxious about offending Victoria with my words. Anxious about not using words that expressed, with enough sensitivity, the admiration and complete respect I have for this remarkable, beautiful and exceptionally brave lady…
I wrote this piece in the presence of my parents and husband – with whom I had a conversation about how cancer has not directly affected me, and yet how I felt deeply, deeply moved by Victoria and Fynn's story. Of course, I felt sadness and pain for this extraordinary lady, and yet reading about Victoria's experiences via her personal blog, Poppies and Epiphanies, and her and Fynn's Imagine It website, I was filled with pride, positivity and an amazing sense of strength.
Today, I would like to ask you to join me in celebrating the wonderful, beautiful and triumphant wedding of Victoria and Fynn, that took place on 12 November at Etton in Cambridgeshire. Victoria and Fynn's wedding was photographed by the amazing new talent that is James Melia…
"Returning home chaos ensues: there is Louise the hairdresser, Jo Bilham, the amazing makeup artist, and then being dressed by my stunning bridesmaids into the beautiful corseted gown made by Linda just for me.
The next five hours fly by and as final touches are being made people start to flood the house, cameras snap like paparazzi. All I can think about is getting to the church and at points feel frustration that my earlier serenity has seemingly vanished…"
I just absolutely adore the chic and elegant simplicity of Victoria's gown – a creation by the wonderful Linda Davey of Dresses at No. 9 Bridal Couture – regional award winner in the 2012 UK Wedding Industry Awards…
Linda Davey of No. 9 Bridal Couture told me…
"I asked Vicki for a few ideas of gowns she liked. She sent me four designs/images with a common 'style' running through each. I wanted Vicki's beauty to do all the work and didn't want to 'over fuss' the gown in any way. Keeping with the style ideas Vicki had selected, I chose a soft Duchess satin in ivory. Vicki had one fitting on the Monday and the gown was then completed for Thursday.
As it was to be strapless, Vicki received a text and asked about what she should use as a cover up. Making a small shrug jacket was simple and I cut the front away to enable the detail bow at the bodice top to remain visible while the collar framed her face. I selected a non hoop net petticoat to hold the skirt and that was about it…"
Victoria wore beautiful white roses in her hair…
Victoria wore a sapphire cross necklace – a beautiful family heirloom and sapphire and diamond earrings that were a gift from her Grandparents. She also of course, wore her white gold engagement ring, with 4 diamonds and 3 sapphires alternating in a row. His wedding ring bore an internal inscription from Victoria, 'always beside you', and Victoria's ring bore the inscription 'unconditional'.
On her right hand, Victoria wore a dark metal ring given to her by Fynn earlier in their relationship, that she never removes. She also wore a silver ring inscribed with 'Live. Love. Laugh: her personal motto.
Finally, Victoria wore a heart-shaped Pandora charm on a silver chain wrapped around her wrist and middle finger…
"Then, at the last minute I am told how I am to get to the church, I hadn’t thought about this part much as its not far and surely the leaving is the more visible and important part? But out in the drive I am in the presence of two stunningly fine black Friesian horses pulling an open carriage and magically I can’t help but find myself in a Jane Austen novel! The picture shows more than I could ever describe…"
Goodness me how I love a barefoot Bride. And Groom!
"Shoe shopping was too frustrating given the limited time I had available to plan my wedding. I liked the idea of simplicity, natural and a little bit hippy too! As a last minute surprise, the groom and bestman joined in too!"
Victoria's Bridesmaids wore beautiful long navy blue dresses and pale pink pearl drop earrings…
"I enter the church through the beautiful arch of yellow and white blossom against ancient stone, my arm in my fathers; his pride and emotion palpable just by simple touch and I feel a rise of pure joy. The organ starts and I am only vaguely aware of all the shining faces turned towards me as there at the end of the nave is Fynn. That constant connection is caught aflame and all from now is basked in the glow of the joy of that moment we see each other: perfection. Today I am not a medical file, I am not a NHS number or in the shadow of a disease. I feel like my light is no longer hidden behind a bushel and it is shining true…"
"We make our vows, sing “Amazing Grace” (a hymn that never fails to sooth my soul) and before I know it we are leaving the church in a shower of confetti. I unashamedly admit we are in a bubble of happiness and tears stream down my face as, in a blur, we greet and thank each person that passes. Each and every one of you made this day exactly what it was…"
"The reception passes far too quickly; the toasts so touching, especially my Maid of Honour concluding with “Hope” by Emily Dickenson. The cake specially made by a pure-souled friend and the moment when the whole hall is flooded with voices singing “Stand by me” exactly encompassing what we feel…"
"So many incredible people were involved in putting this together I could write an entire novel on the day but we were incredibly fortunate to meet a photographer; James, who not only embraces the Imagine it philosophy to the full but has captured the day to perfection. His photos go live now and you can find them through Imagine it or his webpage to see for yourself what I fall short to capture with these words. We can’t express enough humble gratitude to you all!
With special love to my mum (and her army), family and friends (both old and new) and the kindness of strangers who prove humanity has a beauty to eclipse any shadow…"
Words of Wedded Wisdom…
"It should be what you want it to be but remember this is a party – getting married is what you are actually doing – making a forever commitment…"
I hugely admire Victoria and Fynn, in a way that I cannot really find the right words to describe, for turning their situation in to something positive through their Imagine It website. Kudos to this amazing couple, so willing to help guide others in the pursuit of acquiring positive memories and living life to the full whilst also trying to contend with their own immense challenges.
Doesn't it make you stop and wonder about all those silly little things that might have been bothering you, and help you realise that they meant absolutely nothing?
If I may, I would like to encourage you to do just two things today – it won't take a moment, I promise. Please leave a lovely and positive message for Victoria and Fynn below and also take a moment to visit Victoria and Fynn's Imagine It website for a sprinkling of positivity. You can also follow Imagine It on Facebook and on Twitter and Victoria's personal blog can be found at Poppies and Epiphanies.
Vicoria and Fynn, I salute you for your wonderful, unconditional and infectious positivity. Thank you for inspiring me, for making me stop, think and want to live in the moment. Thank you for making me appreciate what I have. You are incredible.
James – I would like to thank you for helping make this wedding feature possible. Your photography is quite literally outstanding. And if you didn't know it already, let me tell you know – you are going to go far my friend! I am so very privileged to be able to share your wonderful work with my readers.
I'd also like to highlight the kindness of dress designer Linda Davey and Yorkshire Makeup Artist Jo Bilham – two wonderful, talented people whose generosity knows no bounds.
Sending huge love to you all today through this blog post. Take a moment to stop, breathe, and appreciate that, won't you? 🙂
Annabel xXx
♥
Photographer – James Melia
Venue – Etton, Cambridgeshire
Brides dress – No. 9 Bridal Couture
Brides shoes – barefoot|
Flowers – Nicola Richards from Helpston Garden Centre
Cake – Rebecca Tivey
Makeup Artist – Jo Bilham
Catering – Lucy's Kitchen
Poppies and Epiphanies {Victoria's personal blog}
Imagine It {Victoria and Fynn's website}
