Weeks ago, I was photographing a wedding in Lancaster, PA.
The morning was not the most typical, the venue was clouded by the thunder rolling in and rain ominously purring above. But hopes were high, smiles were shown, and happiness was in the air. Nevertheless, as a photographer- my nerves were fluttering. This was my first wedding that I had ever agreed to photograph on my own, and with the rain looming above-you could say that I was a little nervous...
"Dang, how am I going to take pictures of everyone when its raining!?"
"Well, will the indoor lighting even look good?"
"Dangit, I probably can't even 'gram' it."
As the thunder rumbled closer, my thoughts seemed to get louder and louder. I began frantically searching the venue for some sort of covered area that I could somewhat manage to take portraits under.
Let me back up a little bit.
As I was headed to the ceremony, I saw the darkness of the clouds for the first time. Fear rose up inside of me.
"What the heck!" I thought aloud. Then, I remembered who I was photographing the wedding for, and I prayed.
I asked God to calm my fears and show me why he had given me this weather for my very first day of shooting a wedding. I told him I trusted in him and his plans for me, and knew he had a reason for it all. And finally, I asked for his help and guidance throughout the day.
Back to then. I was frantically searching for some sort of coverage from the rain, but alas, only a small overhang was found. I sighed, and said "Well, it'll do." I thanked God for the small overhang and then went about and continued to shoot the day.
After the ceremony, I was too nervous to look outside. Rain painted the day and did not seem like it was going to stop. I was a little saddened by the look of things outside, but then told God that I trusted him, and was going to give him my best despite the outside circumstances.
As I was thinking about when to rally the bridal party, the rain suddenly stopped. I looked outside to my disbelief, and a sudden burst of joy sprung through my entire body! I ran to the bridal party and asked if they could go outside really quickly for some pictures, and they were just as excited as I was!
Joy sprung through my heart as I knew the Lord was working. I took the bridal party pictures outside, and was just about to finish up the family pictures when we all suddenly heard more thunder.
"Gee Dang." I thought to myself. None the less, I was grateful for the opportunity I had. We all ran back inside before it started to pour again. I had checked everything off my list of "to-do's" except for the bride and groom portraits.
None the less, I knew God's presence was at the wedding. I had no doubt that He was working during the storm. As I looked at the rain, I asked God to reveal himself one more time, not for my benefit (to get good pictures), but to make himself known more to all of us at the wedding.
It was five minutes later, that the rain stopped again completely. As I looked outside in awe, the sun opened up the sky and revealed the most beautiful rainbow.
Giddy doesn't even come close.
I was overjoyed... I think. I led the bride and groom outside and took their portraits. But more than that, i rejoiced at what God had done for my very first wedding day. He revealed himself in an unmistakeable way, that he didn't have to-but wanted to do. The Golden Hour light lit up the land, and even the guests at the ceremony were in awe of the weather changes.
The light turned to night, and all was well. The Lord taught me that day how beautifully powerful he is, and how he really shows up when we completely trust in him.
Did I mention the forecast was for 100% rain that entire day?
