Donato and Helena are a very special to me. You know why? Because I introduced them to each other back when we were in college. Donato is my cousin and Helena is one of my closest friends. Donato and I went to Pensacola Christian College (PCC), a very strict private Christian school in Pensacola, Florida. During our years at PCC, I introduced them to each other, and that is when their love story started.
It wasn't always easy for them. You see, when Donato and I studied at PCC, Helen was in Indonesia. So, the first couple years of their relationship was long-distance. And it was not just a "two hours drive" kinda long distance. It was Indonesia-America long distance. It's a 12-13 hours time difference! It's more than 10,000 miles apart for them. WOW. I wouldn't be able to survive that. HA.
I flew from Atlanta to Indonesia for a month this past month to go to their wedding. So, if you no nothing about an Asian wedding, we go all out :) From day one, we start celebrating Helen and threw her a bridal shower. Then, they had "Sangjeet" day. A pre-wedding tradition where the guy's family bring gifts to the bride's family to notify the bride's family about their wedding.
She already did her engagement session with her wedding photographer in Bali, Indonesia. In Asia, you wear super nice dresses that almost as fancy as your wedding dress, got dolled up, go to beautiful places, like Bali, and do your engagement session a.k.a pre-wedding session. But, deep inside, she still want to do something casual, relax, and fun photographs of her and Donato. That's where I come in. She asked me to do her in-home session and I felt so honor. I love it so much when friends and family ask me to photograph their glorious moments in life.
After trying to fit in her schedule before the wedding day, turn out the only time we had before the wedding was the day before the wedding. So, we planned to do their engagement (pre-wedding) session inside their beautiful hotel room (and yes, it's a suite!).
It was such a fun engagement session. I wish we had more time! It's so cool to see the way they're so in love. I've always heard stories after stories because I live here, but this time, I got to witness and I got to experience their love for each other in front of my eyes. And it's a beautiful thing :)
Cheers to Helen and Donat! I love you both so much and wishing you nothing but the best on your marriage. Can't wait 'till the day we meet again. Maybe next year? :)
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Glorious Moments Photography
A husband and wife Atlanta Wedding Photographer duo that passionate about sacred marriage and a relaxed wedding day. We travel for destination wedding around the world!