‘Cause we got the fire, fire, fire
Yeah we got the fire, fire, fire,
And we gonna let it burn, burn, burn, burn…’I don’t have the finest singing voice but hell, at least I know the lyrics to Ellie Goulding’s ‘Burn’ right? I was driving along, getting into the zone for Rob and Skye’s wedding at Natte Valleij. With best men that answered to the likes of ‘The Greek,’ ‘Popper,’ and ‘Smoke Dog’ I was expecting some tough competition out there. I’d practiced a few ‘Yo whazzuuup’ and 3-angled handshakes and fist pumping with my kids beforehand just to make sure I hadn’t missed a trick. Preparation is key in this business y’all. I mean really – ‘Smoke Dog’ – seriously?

So I arrive to shoot Skye getting ready and her first words to me are: ‘Warren, come and give me a hug!’ I’m a bit thrown. I’ve never met her before, but this wasn’t the like gangsta chick I was expecting. On the contrary, this was just beautiful Skye – warm, loving, open and a complete joy to be around. Nino Allegro with his thick, robust Italiano accent (flew out from Hamburg for the occasion, speaks 6 languages, makes a killer pasta – are you paying attention ladies), was in full swing, applying Skye’s make-up and whipping her hair into shape. There was a lot of talking and laughing – bridesmaids came and went, mom arrived, dad arrived – the mood was awesome. Then Skye jumped into her lingerie and just sort of ran off into the lemon tree grove. So we had this sort of impromptu-off-the-cuff, live-on-the-edge boudoir-ish but-not-really-boudoir at all kind of shoot. All very confusing really, but what fun. And that was that.

Next I arrive at Natte Valleij where I meet Rob and the boys for the first time. I find out that is generic cymbalta available yet everyone, and I mean everyone has a nickname. I’m no longer scared of the man they call ‘Popper.’ We go through the traditional Jewish rituals, whisky flows, the boys are singing and dancing and I’m just so flipping thankful that I’m the photographer they’ve chosen. Skye arrives, the Bedekken takes place, and the goosebumps run down every possible area on my body that they can find. The emotion is absolutely immense. It feels like we’re all actors in a movie.

The Chuppa takes place. Rivetting stuff. Then we do the family photos and then, well then, the time arrives for the traditional Jewish Dancing. Time for those with nicknames to step up and sing for their supper. I’m expecting to be impressed. I’m not let down. There are members of the human race flying in every direction. I get smashed into a bush. I climb out. A helmet may have been a good idea. Some guy, then another swing pass me about a metre off the ground. Someone is going to get seriously hurt, but nobody cares, and anyway, what’s the point? Rob is on the sheet now. Oh wait, he’s not, he’s just been tossed 3 metres into the air. And again. Whoops, and again. One more time just to scare him senseless. There we go.

And so Skye and Rob’s wedding came and went in a flurry of unforgettable moments that I’m sure they will absolutely treasure forever. But there is one last thing if I may. Just before Rob stepped up to deliver his speech the guests, in one’s and two’s, then in larger groups launched into a brilliant rendition of ‘I say a little prayer for you.’ It was quite incredible – that is going to look darned fine on your video guys. Love to you both.