I met Jo and Micheal the last Sunday of August (2011). They were from north of London. Close to the "midlands" as they said later. They were both in their late 50's and we're a smiling happy couple. At first it seemed they were out of place. But later did I realize that wasn't the case.
Micheal was about 5'6", dark blonde hair and had green eyes. His simple, here I am - this is me attire expressed his simple living and somewhat - I am happy with my life even though it's been a bit tough life. He would look at you when he speaks to you and would not move his gaze when you speak to him.
Jo wore a light scarf on her long cream dress. She had short salt and pepper hair and grey eyes that seem to always smile. She was on a wheelchair. She seems frail but worked really hard not to show it too much. She spoke with a soft voice and carries a smile that felt endless.
They seemed out of place because that day, we had many people in costumes. Some came in that hot Sunday afternoon wearing Elvis and Marilyn Monroe costumes, fancy hats, over sized sunglasses, 70's bell bottoms and wigs. In the chaos of the chapel lobby, there were these two couple just in awe of all of it.
Before their turn, I approached them and introduced myself as their photographer. I asked them what brought them to Vegas. Micheal, explained that Jo was the biggest Elvis fan and that she had always wanted to get married in Las Vegas and be serenaded by Elvis. I asked Micheal then what he felt about that, and it sort of broke the ice and he said, whatever makes her happy. They break into a quick laugh as they look at each other; Jo in her wheelchair and Micheal with his hands on Jo's shoulders.
I explained to them that we will start with a few photos before the wedding and some during. I told them that Elvis will be there during the ceremony and that he will sing a slow first song and a fast last song. They started getting all excited. I took them then into the green room where we would start their photos.
It was my first time to every shoot someone in a wheelchair. I proceeded carefully and asked if it's OK for the shots to be with them on one of the short pews. They said yes - Jo, I noticed was delighted to be moved from her wheelchair to the chair. I showed her how to hold the flowers and where to look. For the most part, it was Micheal who I moved around Jo to get different shots in.
The minister then came in the room and started talking to them. I went ahead into the Little White Chapel to adjust the pews and give Elvis a heads up that the bride is in a wheelchair. As the minister, Jo and Micheal came in the chapel, I had told them that I've set up a pew in the front of the chapel for them to sit in and asked if they want to go down the aisle together or with Micheal waiting as Elvis takes Jo down. Jo said she wanted to walk down the aisle to Micheal with Elvis.
I was worried but at the same time touched at how she really wanted this. Micheal didn't say anything so at that I point I though, well OK, I guess she can do it.
As soon as the wedding march started, I became overwhelmed with a good feeling as I saw Jo being helped by Elvis as she walked down the aisle. Her gaze moved from Elvis to Micheal. You can see in her eyes her happiness and how she is savoring it - it was a dream come true for her, and Micheal of course. Elvis (today it was Chad), helped Jo sit next to Micheal. He then picked up his mic to begin serenading the couple.
During the ceremony, the minister (Pastor Tony) prayed for strength and length of days for them both. Jo and Micheal, the whole time could not stop staring into each others eyes.
"...remember, today you marry your friend. The one you laugh with, the one you dream with, the one you live for and especially the one you love..."
As the couple kissed after they were being pronounced husband and wife, Elvis breaks into the Teddy Bear song. Jo and Micheal started laughing as they put their foreheads together and Jo, being a true blue Elvis Fan started singing with Elvis.
In the end, after their dreams of a Vegas/Elvis wedding start coming to a fulfilled end, Jo and Micheal start slowly to walk down the aisle smiling, happy - in each other arms.
Micheal was about 5'6", dark blonde hair and had green eyes. His simple, here I am - this is me attire expressed his simple living and somewhat - I am happy with my life even though it's been a bit tough life. He would look at you when he speaks to you and would not move his gaze when you speak to him.
Jo wore a light scarf on her long cream dress. She had short salt and pepper hair and grey eyes that seem to always smile. She was on a wheelchair. She seems frail but worked really hard not to show it too much. She spoke with a soft voice and carries a smile that felt endless.
They seemed out of place because that day, we had many people in costumes. Some came in that hot Sunday afternoon wearing Elvis and Marilyn Monroe costumes, fancy hats, over sized sunglasses, 70's bell bottoms and wigs. In the chaos of the chapel lobby, there were these two couple just in awe of all of it.
Before their turn, I approached them and introduced myself as their photographer. I asked them what brought them to Vegas. Micheal, explained that Jo was the biggest Elvis fan and that she had always wanted to get married in Las Vegas and be serenaded by Elvis. I asked Micheal then what he felt about that, and it sort of broke the ice and he said, whatever makes her happy. They break into a quick laugh as they look at each other; Jo in her wheelchair and Micheal with his hands on Jo's shoulders.
I explained to them that we will start with a few photos before the wedding and some during. I told them that Elvis will be there during the ceremony and that he will sing a slow first song and a fast last song. They started getting all excited. I took them then into the green room where we would start their photos.
It was my first time to every shoot someone in a wheelchair. I proceeded carefully and asked if it's OK for the shots to be with them on one of the short pews. They said yes - Jo, I noticed was delighted to be moved from her wheelchair to the chair. I showed her how to hold the flowers and where to look. For the most part, it was Micheal who I moved around Jo to get different shots in.
The minister then came in the room and started talking to them. I went ahead into the Little White Chapel to adjust the pews and give Elvis a heads up that the bride is in a wheelchair. As the minister, Jo and Micheal came in the chapel, I had told them that I've set up a pew in the front of the chapel for them to sit in and asked if they want to go down the aisle together or with Micheal waiting as Elvis takes Jo down. Jo said she wanted to walk down the aisle to Micheal with Elvis.
I was worried but at the same time touched at how she really wanted this. Micheal didn't say anything so at that I point I though, well OK, I guess she can do it.
As soon as the wedding march started, I became overwhelmed with a good feeling as I saw Jo being helped by Elvis as she walked down the aisle. Her gaze moved from Elvis to Micheal. You can see in her eyes her happiness and how she is savoring it - it was a dream come true for her, and Micheal of course. Elvis (today it was Chad), helped Jo sit next to Micheal. He then picked up his mic to begin serenading the couple.
During the ceremony, the minister (Pastor Tony) prayed for strength and length of days for them both. Jo and Micheal, the whole time could not stop staring into each others eyes.
"...remember, today you marry your friend. The one you laugh with, the one you dream with, the one you live for and especially the one you love..."
As the couple kissed after they were being pronounced husband and wife, Elvis breaks into the Teddy Bear song. Jo and Micheal started laughing as they put their foreheads together and Jo, being a true blue Elvis Fan started singing with Elvis.
In the end, after their dreams of a Vegas/Elvis wedding start coming to a fulfilled end, Jo and Micheal start slowly to walk down the aisle smiling, happy - in each other arms.
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