Uchechi & Peter

I knew right after meeting Peter & Uchechi at their home here in San Miguel that I wanted to work with them. I could see how much in love they were as we were planning the portrait session, in Peter’s warm smile & Uchechi’s heartfelt laugh & eyes. I could also tell that they were a very fun & outgoing couple, and knew that they would enjoy a photo shoot that showed that adventurous side. Uchechi was looking beautiful & so happy as we jumped into the candy apple red jeep that Peter was driving and started to make our way down town for their bridal portraits. First stop, the local cantina for a few shots against it’s swinging doors. From here we went to the Casa de la Cultura, one of my favorite places in San Miguel. With it’s colonial arches, fountains, colorful walls & huge trees, it’s a great place to photograph.

Working with a couple like this really does make my job easy. I just get them to start talking & laughing with each other while I shoot away. Their love & feelings for each other come through in every shot. Running down the streets of San Miguel, we kept on laughing all the way to the ceremony, where the laughter & dancing just kept on going. People at Nigerian wedding’s don’t wait for the dance to start dancing, they start as they walk down the isle!. And as this was a wedding incorporating Nigerian traditions, one by one friends & family danced down the isle, through the lush gardens at Casa de la Noche.

And everyone was all smiles as the ceremony began. Uchechi & Peter’s vows were so moving, and the sincerity & joy that they felt spread through the crowd. Drawing on her amazing talent for the written word, Uchechi wrote a beautiful poem for Peter that left most of the audience in tears, me included.

After the ceremony, the horns & guitars from the mariachi band got everyone up & out the door, heading to the reception a few blocks away. And since this was a PENZI wedding with a fun couple, you know there would be a parade that included a donkey & huge puppets & a few bottles of tequila & lots of dance moves.

It seemed most of San Miguel stopped to watch as we paraded through centro, while we only stopped for a quick elote, or corn on the cob that I thought would make for a funny shot!

We made it to the reception, a beautiful courtyard in an old hacienda, filled with twinkling lights & laughter. A host of San Miguel’s finest & many others sat down for a very cozy dinner, after which the Cuban band started their Salsa & the dancing started all over again. Peter & Uchechi were all smiles when Paul & I finally left close to midnight, & we were all smiles as well. Thank you guys for letting me be a part of such an incredible wedding!

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