A Lasting Impression

Where to start? I’ll begin by admitting that this is the first blog that I’ve actually written about anything. Yes, I know there are 3 other blogs on this website, and although the previous entries are true stories, the truth is, they were written by the glory of AI. My granddad would be seething if he knew that I was conspiring with technology that would one day take over the world. His words, not mine. But yes, a few prompts and I have an SEO-friendly blog that’ll hopefully do me a favour in the Google rankings. I won’t tell anyone if you don’t.

Now that I have that off of my chest, the reason I’ve decided that now is the time I’d put pen to paper or finger to keyboard is that the wedding of Robyn and Joe was one that I won’t forget easily. It was a day that left me questioning a lot of my own personal views and a day that ultimately changed my way of thinking. I can see how that sounds dramatic and like a plea for you to keep reading, but stick with me.

I first heard from the groom, Joe, after he called, asking if I could film for a few hours at his and Robyn’s wedding in Durham, and here’s the kicker: it was only 2 weeks away! Having a dab hand in video editing himself, Joe initially asked if I could provide him with the RAW footage of just the ceremony and speeches so that he could edit them together himself. I was honest in return and explained that the RAW footage would be difficult to process without a powerful computer or editing software and that hiring a videographer to tell the story of the whole day is surely the way to go. Joe went away, thought about it, and agreed to have me there for the whole day! Not only that, knowing that Joe’s budget was running out and he’d kindly agreed to have me there for the extra hours, I gave Joe my rock bottom price, to which he declined and offered to pay more. We were off to a friendly start!

Fast forward 2 weeks, past the Zoom call meeting with both Robyn and Joe, and I find myself at the rainy gates of a farm in Durham, 100 miles from home, feeling slightly unprepared, given the tight schedule, but still armed and ready to bring my A-game!

I drove down the track towards the fields, and I was immediately greeted by a huge marquee-style tent. I’d never filmed anything like this before, but I knew the soft lighting inside was going to be an absolute treat! I hopped out of the car and met a slightly deflated Joe, who was busy adding the final touches and making sure everything was ready. “We’re both gutted about the weather” he said to me. In hindsight, and after getting to know Robyn and Joe over the course of the day, maybe Joe’s demeanour in that moment was to empathise with me, thinking I wouldn’t be able to get all the footage that I needed because, as the day went on, I learned that even if the heavens had opened, Joe and Robyn were ready to make the best of it together!

After grabbing my initial b-roll before their guests arrived, capturing the marquee, the decorations, table placements, and other details, I headed over to meet Robyn and her bridesmaids, who were getting ready a short 5-minute drive away at Robyn's parents house. Robyn was the opposite of Joe; she was a picture of calm, and the smiles followed effortlessly. Robyn was actually ready a lot earlier than I’d anticipated, perhaps overly keen to meet Joe and exchange their vows, but we got the shots we needed, and I stayed long enough to capture Robyn's surprised reaction to a pair of classical cars that Joe had secretly arranged to transport the bridal party to the venue. Top marks, Joe!

Greetings out of the way, I went about my day just as any other, slightly concerned for the rain but nevertheless confident that I could make a stunning film in what was a beautiful setting.

As a videographer, I’ve always said that having front-row seats to a wedding day is one of the greatest privileges. It goes without saying that it’s a highlight of your life, and to witness it up close and personal is something that I don’t take for granted. It might sound slightly stalkerish, but when following around a couple, catching stories from their loved ones, and engrossing myself in their lives for the day, it’s easy to feel like you get to know the couple quite quickly. It’s how people act when they don’t know they’re being watched that shows a person's true character, and it’s something I get to see each time I film a wedding. The reason I’m telling you this is that when filming both Joe and Robyn, I was left in complete awe. I was filming a couple that were truly made for one another. The stories that were told, the way they looked at each other from across the room, and the glint in their eyes that followed. 

I couldn’t pinpoint an exact moment, but over the course of the day, Joe in particular had quite an impression on me. That’s not to say Robyn was any less of a superstar on her wedding day, and thinking about it now, I don’t think I’ve ever filmed a bride as kind and warm as Robyn, but there was something about Joe that I could relate to.

So every now and again, the wedding just clicks, I feel the love, the day's been great, and I’ll stick my camera on my hip, take in the moment, and I’m easily reminded that for me, this is the best job in the world. I’m with you on the best day of your life, and it would be rude of me not to be grateful for that. I’m a father now, so the happy tears come a little too easily these days, but just in that moment, when shedding a little tear, Joe appears. We got to talking, and after mentioning how happy I was for him and his now-new wife, Robyn, Joe mentioned that he was a practicing Buddhist.

The next part of this blog was going to be an attempt to explain how the whole experience made me feel, but instead, I’m going to share with you a part of the text that I sent to Joe the next morning.

“Hi Joe,

I just wanted to say a massive thank you again for having me at your wedding! I still am very overwhelmed by how genuine and kind you both are and I feel lucky that I was able to meet you both and capture your day.

I hope you don’t mind me saying this, but as soon as I left, I was on the phone to my mum telling her how I’d never met a nicer human and that meeting you has genuinely made me want to be a better person. I read a quote by Ghandi, in my early 20s that has always stuck with me: “Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony”. I’ve always known what that meant and I’ve always frustrated myself trying to achieve it, but you’re the first person that I’ve ever met, that I think has that figured out.

Now here’s what’s blown my mind and prompted me to send this message. Before yesterday, I’d have described myself as a firm atheist, but after having front row seats to your wedding yesterday, feeling the energy you have for your people and then subsequently finding out that you’re a Buddhist, something just clicked. Like that makes complete sense.

I know I mentioned that my mum had a shaered interest in Buddhism, and she has tried to teach me a few things, but when you asked me where she practices, I realised that my her connection with the religion doesn’t go that far, so I’ve always dismissed the idea for myself. In all truth, some of my family or friends would probably laugh and not believe what I’m about to say, but if some of the joy you have for life is achieved through your religion, then I’d be a fool not to explore what Buddhism could do for me.

Not only have you inspired me to be a better human, Joe, you’ve actually made me look at my life through a new lens, and I can’t tell you how many people, if any, have ever had that kind of impact on my thinking in such a short space of time.”

So I’ll leave you with that. Not only did the rain hold off (for the most part), but the day was an absolute success for everyone involved. The suppliers were awesome, everyone from the celebrant to the bar tenders, the speeches were perfectly delivered, the saxophone player had the whole place bouncing, and every single guest was on top form! It just goes to prove that you can get married in a tent on a wet field because all that really matters is the people that you spend it with. That’s what leaves a lasting impression.

I already knew from the opening Zoom call that Robyn and Joe’s wedding would be one to remember, but never did I think that I would be driving home, reflecting on my own character, with a strong desire to be a better person for the people around me.

Since then, I’ve attended my local Buddhism centre, with more visits lined up, and although I still find it difficult not to flip off the BMW that cuts me up in traffic, I do think I’m on my way to practicing a more peaceful and happy way of life. And that can’t be a bad thing.

A massive heartfelt thanks to Joe and Robyn. I know that 22/07/23 will be a date you’ll never forget, but it’ll always hold a core memory for me too!

Last thing… Book me as your wedding videographer and for SEO… Wedding videographer UK, Manchester videographer, wedding videographer, best wedding videographer. LOLs.

Not sure how to end this.

Thanks for reading, guys.

Be lucky x

PS I checked my grammer using AI. Harhar!