Last year I traveled to Montenegro to shoot a wedding in the beautiful town of Kotor. It was my first visit there and I loved it! I was astonished by the mountainous scenery, I’d had no idea it would be like that, where the mountains plummet into the water. And it was so hot! On the day of the wedding the temperature was 38 degrees – and that was outside the church!
Kotor is a World Heritage Site, situated on the Bay of Kotor which is in fact a submerged river canyon, explaining the steep sided mountains that surround it. Dani and Henry, my bride and groom, had bought a house in Muo, just along from Kotor, a few years ago and had always wanted to celebrate their wedding there. It was a lovely intimate wedding, with their closest friends and family coming over to make a summer holiday of the event.
My cute little hotel was right on the water and in the early morning heat I was able to enjoy a refreshing swim in the bay before breakfast. There was only one thing to complain about and that was the bees…they were everywhere and were enormous! On arrival in Muo, the night before the wedding, I was enjoying a cold beer when I felt something in my hair. Thinking it was a fallen leave, I reached up to remove it. Suddenly it wriggled between my fingers and a shooting pain went through my finger. I’d been stung! Panic set in, what if I was allergic to bee stings? What if I had an anaphylactic shock? I can’t tell you how painful it was, and to make it worse it was my trigger finger! (the one I press the button with). What if I couldn’t use my camera?
The owners of the restaurant rallied round and smothered my finger in special bee sting cream, and then all I could do was hope it didn’t get worse. Thankfully I was OK the next day but the finger was gradually swelling. I think adrenalin on the day stopped me thinking of it, but when I got back to London my hand ballooned and I had to have antibiotics. Ouch!
Anyway, back to the wedding….the ceremony was in a picturesque 17th century chapel, called Our Lady of the Reef, on a tiny, artificial island in the middle of the bay. Dani and her bridal party – and me! – were taken there by speed boats, while the guests traveled on a big boat from Kotor. It was so much fun riding on the speed boat across the bay, such a novel way for the bride to arrive at the church.
After a wonderful reception and meal at The Galion restaurant looking out over the night-time bay, the party were entertained by none other than Turin Brakes! Yes, the real Turin Brakes! They flew out especially and it was a fantastic, intimate gig. It was quite mind-blowing to be in such close proximity to a great band. Thank you Dani and Henry for asking me to be a part of this!
Hazy morning view from my hotel in Muo
View from Dani’s house while getting ready
Dani getting ready
Dani and her bridesmaids
On the speed boat, off to the church
Our Lady of the Reef Church
Henry trying to keep cool with the aid of a fan!
The very happy couple
Arriving in Kotor
The Galion restaurant
Turin Brakes!
and again….Turin Brakes!!
Such a gorgeous couple
