Pikku Arkki Valokuvaus- Little Ark Photography

And here is the post you’ve all been waiting for- Zeena and Lee’s wedding!!

This was an especially special wedding for me for many reasons.  Here are some:

1.  I really, really like this couple.  Fabulous, funny, warm, gracious, open.  When I heard they were getting married, EVEN THOUGH it was in the seventh month of pregnancy, I knew we had to make it.  We had to, had to be there.

2.  It was the first Muslim wedding I’d ever attended.  In case you’re wondering, Muslim wedding ceremonies (if I’m to extrapolate based on this one experience) are really calm and quiet.  There isn’t any music.  The groom declares his faith.  And then the cleric gives a little sermon.  And then they’re married.  No kissing or exchanging of rings- that happens during the civil ceremony.  The civil ceremony that I missed, because someone had to stay with Benjy in the hotel while he napped, and that someone happened to be me.

3.  They served great food- we’ll get to that in a minute.

4.  It was at a gorgeous location.  Orsett Hall.  My ideal for what I will someday own as my own bed and breakfast.  Except mine will be smaller.  Much smaller.

5.  It gave me a chance to practice wedding photography, since I will *gasp* be photographing MY FIRST WEDDING EVER at the end of August!!!  This was a no pressure situation, because of course they had their own photographer, and I just got to jump in when my son, husband, and swollen ankles allowed.

So, now for photos:

First, we have a random assortment of wedding photos.  I’m sorry for the kind of random order, I was too lazy to create a new storyboard layout.  Apologies, apologies.

And then the food.  Well, part of the food.  You see, after this AMAZING sit-down Indian dinner, there was an equally amazing Indian finger food buffet in the evening during the reception.  However, someone had to be with Benjy as he slept in the hotel, and that someone happened to be me.  So, I missed the ENTIRE reception, including the finger food buffet.  But I’m not bitter.  No, no.  I’m not bitter.

Anyway, here’s the food.  Including your favorite and mine Sag Paneer!  I was THRILLED when I saw it on the menu.

And THEN!  The cake!  Or should I say cakes.  Because Zeena had cupcakes brought in all the way from Nottingham to serve as her wedding cake.

I’m sure these were as lovely to eat as they were to look at.  But, again, I missed the cupcakes because I was with Benjy.  And a certain husband, who shall remain nameless, who didn’t think to bring me anything from the Indian buffet, also didn’t think to bring me a lush, buttercream frosted cupcake.  Yes, dear readers, I lead a difficult life.

It was such a fantastic wedding.  I’m so happy we got to be there to help celebrate.  Many, many happy years of marriage I wish for Zeena and Lee.