If you follow me on Instagram you might have gotten a glimpse at the new addition to my TOMS shoe collection with the promise that a sweet story would accompany the shoes. I’ll admit it, I love my TOMS and could probably get them in every color. As a wedding photographer it is ridiculously important to find a pair of shoes that your feet feel happy in for a full day of shooting, running, crouching, and dancing. TOMS has been my favorite shoes over the years because they are on trend with the bridal industry and also make my feet smile throughout a crazy day.
I have a few different pairs but this year I opted to stop the obsession and hadn’t invested in a new pair since last season. I ran into the mall to fuel up (with coffee, let’s be serious) and thought maybe it was time to add a new pair of the canvas shoes to my collection… so without even trying them on, I ran in, grabbed a neutral color and off I went. That night I drove the five hours to St. Cloud, Minnesota and stayed in a hotel alone, ate Noodles in bed, read a magazine, and browsed Pinterest. (See, super glamorous, right?) The next day I was off to Angie + Mark’s wedding, giddy and ready to shoot.
Angie was the most radiant, relaxed bride. She was thoughtful with each planned moment and soaked in each experience as it unfolded. She had the prettiest satin pink TOMS (I have a matching pair, so obviously I loved them!) and planned beautiful details around her classic wedding. She climbed into an old fashioned car drove by a family member and off they were to the church. Upon hopping out of the car, we realized that somewhere along the way black oil had stained her shoes in big patches. Angie, being the calm bride she was, shook it off with a bummed look and was ready to move on. She didn’t want anyone to feel bad and she knew stained shoes could never ruin the fact that she got to marry her dream man that day. All of a sudden I remembered my spontaneous purchase from the previous day, I told her I had a brand new pair of TOMS still in the box in my car and asked what size she wore.
Eight and a half… what? Me too! My goodness, this was a divine intervention at it’s finest. I ran to my car, pulled out the pretty blue box and delivered them to my beautiful bride. I wasn’t thinking as her photographer or vendor, I was thinking as a friend… how could I help? How could I make this the best day for her? She wore my shoes for her ceremony where she promised her forever to Mark as they smiled and squeezed one another’s hand. She waltzed down the aisle on the arm of her father in those shoes, she prayed in them, said vows, and experienced her first kiss as a wife in them. No one noticed the pale blue color and my heart warmed thinking a bride was breaking in my new pair of shoes. The night went on, perfectly. As we smiled over our luck and sat in disbelief that it had all worked out the way it did. It was our very little Cinderella story, perfect for Angie… hey, if the shoe fits, you better wear it. I smile every time I slip into those shoes thinking about their love story and the fact that she was the first to wear them.
I am more than just a photographer, I am a friend, a bridesmaid with a camera, a mediator, time keeper, kleenex provider, planner, executor, grandma hugger, polka dancer, flower girl tamer, dress carrier, bustle helper, hair fixer, bouquet holder, lipstick applier, cake cutting instructor, choreographer, and lastly a shoe provider. When you hire me, you get a whole lot more than someone who holds a camera and takes photos… you get me, all of me.
See Angela and Marks full wedding day story: click here.
Love this!!!!!!!!!!! What a great post! I still can’t believe how well that worked out!!!
Loved this – and yes!! We are sooo much more than photographers and I absolutely love the way you wrote this. Your brides are lucky to have you – and I’m lucky to call you my friend. Xxoo
You’re the greatest. A true testament to you as a photographer!