In 12 months, I shot 38 weddings, visited 4 countries, shot my first 2 international weddings. I started The Pretty Blog, KIKI outreach program and the KIKI London group, as well as hosted 2 workshops. And to top it all, I got engaged and now planning my own wedding, which is 29 October this year!

I have to be honest and say that all of this happening in 12 months was very overwhelming and super exciting at the same time. When I look back there is one word that comes to mind: blessed. I know I’m blessed and so thankful to know I have so many people’s support, love and encouragement. A big thank you to all of you.

I know I’ve been a bit quiet the past month and I didn’t blog often. I just needed to take some time out to plan my life and organize my wedding :) And a slight bit of warning, it might stay a bit quiet here, as I have less than 60 days to my and Iaan’s big day. But as we celebrate Spring today, I know this is a new season and a very exciting one!

My mom phoned me today and said she thinks we need to phone the guy who announced the 1st of September as Spring day and tell him to move it a month ahead, because today was really cold and looked more like winter. And then I thought about it. Sometimes our days seems chaotic and a bit like winter, but tomorrow might be different. Luckily I know my spring will be starting tomorrow, as I just appointed a full time PA. *big smile x 1000* All replies to those emails you’ve been sending me will be coming soon! Welcome to the office Mariné! You’re going to be such a blessing!

And if you can’t see any flowers outside…here are a few pretty pictures of a little flower shop I visited in Germany. These photos were taken in München, right around the corner where Iaan and I got engaged.

*Happy Spring day!*

I waited on the train station, thousands of miles from home, having no idea what to expect. Then Cissy came around the corner. I immediately knew it was her, because she was smiling from ear to ear and waving her hands in the air. And those friendly blue eyes and big smile made me feel at ease right away!

We headed over to Krusenberg Herrgard (out in the countryside), the estate where the wedding was going to take place. We drove past green fields and beautiful red barns. It looked like something out of a movie.

Along the way, Cissy told me about her and Andy. She is a Swedish girl, but her family moved to the UK when she was young. She went off to study Mandarin and ended up working in China where she still lives. Andy on the other hand, is a UK boy, but also ended up working in China. And the question: How did these two meet each other in China? Well, as I heard in the speeches, Andy was recruiting people for a position at the company he was working for. Then someone told him about Cissy, a beautiful blond Swedish girl, and even though he was only allowed to employ Chinese girls, he still met up with her :) And that’s how their story began.

Cissy and Andy chose this beautiful estate, because Cissy’s parents got married there way back. The estate is next to a lake with lots of apple trees around. They chose to spend the day in a relaxed way, with friends and family from all around the world. And when I say “all around the world”, I literally mean it! They had friends from China, Sweden, UK, Dubai, Australia and many other countries. Lucky for me, it ended up being an international wedding and all the guests spoke English.

The cherry on top was when the sun peeped out during the ceremony and created a beautiful summer wedding in the Swedish countryside. It made me think of when Cissy’s friends said: “When you spend a day with Cissy, it’s like a day with a little bit of sunshine.”

The day before the wedding, the couple invited me to join them, with all their guests, for a pre-dinner party at Cissy’s parents’ home in Uppsala. We enjoyed yummy Swedish meatballs and some other Swedish snacks while all the guests got to know each other. The next moment a steam train arrived! The train journey into town was a lovely surprise for all of us. What a fun thing to do!

*Visit the next post for the wedding pictures.

I have a little confession to make: while organising my own wedding, I’ve realised that there is a little girl inside of me. One that wants to laugh, dance and have fun. One that wants to dream, wants to sing (even though it’s only any good in the shower :) and one that wants to dance with no worries in the world. No worries about work or grown-up stuff, just someone that wants to play and have a cupcake!

Sounds silly, I know. But while you are organising your wedding I want to encourage you to take time for yourself to dream. This planning happens really fast and decisions have to be made…but take time and make sure it’s the way you and your fiancé want it to be.

A part of the reason I chose a fun theme (more on that on The Pretty Blog) for my wedding, is because I want to experience that little bit of prettiness and being a princess in my own magical world :)

I came across this video of Richelle Dante Photography and it was like a movie of what’s been going through my mind during the past few weeks…I’ll probably always have a bit of “little girl” inside of me :)

Richelle Dante – Dream from HESCHLE on Vimeo.

Thanks to Richelle Dante for this video and pictures! I love it!

If you want to follow my tips and wedding advice as a bride, follow my and Iaan’s wedding planning on The Pretty Blog.

As part of KIKI (read more below) we are starting meet-ups all around the world. KIKI meet-ups are basically photographer get togethers for amateurs and pros, to share and learn. To chat, help each other and support one another.

Last night we had our first London meet-up and it was simply amazing! Meeting all these photographers made me feel happy. I walked away with a smile and knew that this was not about me, but about something much bigger. It’s about support, sharing knowledge and most of all about building relationships.

The KIKI London meet ups will happen on a monthly basis. If you want to receive more info about these meet-ups, please befriend Tanya on Facebook and send her a message. ( this is London specific)

If you want to receive more info regarding other parts of the world or if you want to start a group, please mail me.

For those of you who missed out on the post about KIKI, here is a bit from a previous post:

KIKI – some of you might have seen some info on our facebook page. But apart from my love for weddings, I also have a BIG love for photographers and seeing them grow! I’ve had the privilege to meet some amazing people the past few years and I would love to continue encouraging people to follow their dream. KIKI is a place where people can share, encourage and uplift one another. A place where photographers can build a community. (The KIKI website is still in the development stages, but we are thinking of the following areas, please let us know what you think…this is for you!! So we need your feedback!!)

• KIKI community: a photography playground, similar to a forum
• KIKI blog: some random photography thoughts
• KIKI school: Online learning from anywhere in the world.
• KIKI resources: LR Presets, legal documents, Photoshop actions, WP-plugins and more fun stuff.
• KIKI websites: In collaboration with PlusPlusMinus, we’re launching awesome WP website & blog templates especially for photographers.
• KIKI outreach: Teaching photography to underprivileged children in Africa.
• KIKI meet-ups: Meet the people behind Facebook & share life!

Details:

6:30 at Amano’s Cafe, Victor Wharf, Clink Street, London…

For more details and to RSVP please read more on our Facebook event.

I do have to warn you, I’m still have 257 emails to go..so please be patient :) But if you catch me online, you might receive a very speedy reply :)

I bought the You and Your wedding magazine the other day, here in London. Together with the magazine fell out an extra booklet about beautiful DIY ideas and flowers. I picked it up and then I looked at the cover. I knew that picture! I took it!! I paged through and there, in the magazine, was Fran & Paul’s wedding! A big happy dance for this one!

A big thanks to Wedding Concepts & Leipzig for putting together this beautiful wedding!