Una boda en una playa.

This morning we took photos of the wedding blessing of a lovely young couple with their little son, all immaculately and tastefully turned out (no "meringue" style frilly but revealing dress with chest and back hanging out - how did you guess I hate those with a passion?). It was an intimate affair, with just the three of them, the vicar (wearing a trilby with his robes to protect from the heat), and us, trying to be inconspicuous while we went about our work. It was in a tiny little rocky cove they'd found off a busy tourist beach where they are staying for the week, and not many passers-by knew what was happening, although a man in a surplice speaking to a couple obviously overdressd for sunbathing rather gave the game away - there were a few cheers. The little boy was invited by the vicar to attest to his role as "the congregation", which delighted him, and the only other witness was a seagull which stood on the rocks above (and refrained from despoiling the "altar" of a white blanket on the sand, covered with flowers, candles and the champagne and glasses, as well as a sign to show that X and Y had finally managed to tie the knot - covid intervened I suppose).
I had been worried about this job for weeks, as it was as far away as you can get from where we live as is possible to on the island, an hour's drive in busy and unpredictable traffic, as well as 36 deg heat. We had no idea where on the beach it would be, nor what the couple looked like. I had visions of an old crinkly couple with a 50-year old son in tow having their wedding blessing for a big anniversay perhaps... Loads of photoshop needed to make them presentable! In fact they were all gorgeous. The vic was held up in traffic (he also had a long drive) but that gave us time to do a few informal shots and put them at their ease. He likes to get to these things early, so was a little upset, but at least he had his prayer book, which being a modern, though not young, clergyman, he reads from an ipad. The main worry is that it will malfunction with the heat! It was a beautiful service, and brought many a tear to my eye! Lots of photos to go through, but to preserve the family's privacy, this is the only one which did not identify the participants. If anyone wants a beach wedding blessing, I'd highly recommend it and gladly offer my services!