At the end of September when the days get cooler and Fall begins to unfold,the wedding season in Austria begins to taper off. This year, at the end of a warm September, I was delighted to photograph the wedding of Johannes and Julia in my local area of Gmunden at Traunsee lake. It was mild and warm,as if summer had just decided to stick around . Thus, on the wedding day, at month’s end,we experienced what they call in Austria “Indian Summer”.For my native Californians this kind of day goes unnoticed for it is a given year around, but in Austria it is special and a reason for feeling lucky.
Taking advantage of dazzling weather ,we began with a portrait session of Julia and Johannes in Toscana Park in Gmunden, a gorgeous park  jutting out into the lake in a half circle. It is lined with  walking paths and dotted with magnificent towering trees in different colors and shapes. A bit of heaven on earth, I would say. Our first shots were taken on paths to give the bride level ground under her feet, but then we spotted a tree swing, which someone had rigged up on an enormous limb under a large old tree.It proved to be the perfect location for Julia to get in a few swings in her lovely wedding gown. It was a bit of “Sound of Music” atmosphere,but after all, this is Austria, so we took full advantage of the setting. Johannes wore a vibrant blue suit which matched the blue of the sky on that day, so he blended in with the color scheme perfectly. It was lovely, and both Julia and Johannes enjoyed the leisure of our session before the wedding , though I am sure they must have been thinking about the day ahead and how it would unfold. The photo session was a great way to calm their nerves. However, I noticed only a calmness and  harmony they shared.

At the end of September when the days get cooler and Fall begins to unfold,the wedding season in Austria begins to taper off. This year, at the end of a warm September, I was delighted to photograph the wedding of Johannes and Julia in my local area of Gmunden at Traunsee lake. It was mild and warm,as if summer had just decided to stick around . Thus, on the wedding day, at month’s end,we experienced what they call in Austria “Indian Summer”.For my native Californians this kind of day goes unnoticed for it is a given year around, but in Austria it is special and a reason for feeling lucky.
Taking advantage of dazzling weather ,we began with a portrait session of Julia and Johannes in Toscana Park in Gmunden, a gorgeous park  jutting out into the lake in a half circle. It is lined with  walking paths and dotted with magnificent towering trees in different colors and shapes. A bit of heaven on earth, I would say. Our first shots were taken on paths to give the bride level ground under her feet, but then we spotted a tree swing, which someone had rigged up on an enormous limb under a large old tree.It proved to be the perfect location for Julia to get in a few swings in her lovely wedding gown. It was a bit of “Sound of Music” atmosphere,but after all, this is Austria, so we took full advantage of the setting. Johannes wore a vibrant blue suit which matched the blue of the sky on that day, so he blended in with the color scheme perfectly. It was lovely, and both Julia and Johannes enjoyed the leisure of our session before the wedding , though I am sure they must have been thinking about the day ahead and how it would unfold. The photo session was a great way to calm their nerves. However, I noticed only a calmness and  harmony they shared.

We left the park mid -morning and headed toward the location of the civil ceremony which would be held at Traunsee castle, only minutes from my home. Here ,we just had time for some portraits of Julia and Johannes in the interior of the castle before the ceremony would begin.

Following the civil ceremony in Traunsee castle, which was accompanied by wonderful classical music performed by two  guests, we went on to a third location, the quaint old roman church of Aurachkirchen, wonderfully intimate for a wedding  ceremony ,but a sizeable challenge for the photographer, the ambient light finding few places to enter and light up the interior. Johannes, who is an accomplished clarinetist, invited all the members of his music group to attend the wedding, which provided a full array of guests dressed in bright red jackets and deep blue pants, black hats carrying various instruments, setting the stage for quite a spectacular garden party.

My last stop of the day was at a fourth location, a country guest house and restaurant in which dinner was served. Here are some images of Julia and Johannes under beautiful ambient light taken before the evening meal.

I was told, the dancing and partying went on into the wee hours of the morning. My memories of the day remain vivid and filled with nothing but good vibs.