Tokyo Wedding Photography : Azusa & Jeff

“Love is a lot like dancing; you just surrender to the music.” ~ Pierce Brosnon

As we wing ourselves away today for our UK/Europe Stories and more, we miss Japan already and what has been a show-stopping, spectacular wedding season. We remain spellbound by the beautiful, emotional stories we have been so lucky to share in this year. With so many more to come. We take a breath. And then get ready for more. More of the amazing, seemingly endless parade of characters past our cameras. They swan in, swan out. They are there and then gone. Memoires in the making (theirs and certainly ours).

And a story we will never soon forget is today’s featured post. Azusa & Jeff.  And their gorgeous, glamorous Tokyo May wedding. Magical, nautical-inspired, real, so-utterly-in-love, and just a little bit glittery 1920’s meets Mad Men. Oh, yes. Oh-so-us. From the getting ready and all those intimate moments, to the groomsmen and those suits, to Azusa’s dream gowns (x2), the titanic bridal party and then with family & friends flying in from all over the world… it was all divine, so full of sentiment & feeling. A dream in the making. Throw in a lovely harbor-side setting, a stylish reception, cakes, more than 1 bouquet toss, all those delightful details and we’re ready. Add the lavender, the color scheme, those butterfly shoes (sigh…), the speeches, that incredible TAC nijikai, the first dance, yes… it had to be a… TANGO and a couple who get the importance of the photography and we are so there. It was a beautiful whirlwind. Our fabulous Associate Photographers Anu & Emma kept up with us even when there was seemingly no time – amazed at the differences here especially when it come to the formal photography (and lack of) time allocated by tight Japanese scheduling. We will always challenge this, push the cultural & traditional boundaries. Because we absolutely understand the value in this once the day is done. We will keep going our way passionately, and love the couples who come on board with us. So today we set sail…falling in love with life a little bit more. Set your course, anchors aweigh… 

We start with the getting ready…

And the groomsmen arrive…

And they strut their stuff. Seriously Jeff, that suit is phenomenal…

Elsewhere, on another deck, Azusa’s preparations are firmly underway. Gorgeous already…

Just darling…

Mother + daughter. So love these moments…

Stunning… Jeff & Azusa opted for the tradition of not seeing each other before the wedding, so we had to keep her under wraps and out of sight…

The lovable, chic bridesmaids… Just a little girl time before we batten down the hatches…

The adorable ring bearer & flower girls…

And the final moments before we throw away the bow lines…Breathtaking…

And with all hands on deck… it’s away we go…

Waiting… On with the show…

Perfectly, finally official…And just a little time to celebrate in moments & photos… And it’s smooth sailing already and time for the elegant, casual reception…

The charming cake cut & first-first bite. And that love note…

With a rogue Bridal Party finale… our favorite kind…

With so much more to come. The Nijikai transformation begins…

Dazzling…

Next destination? Dance floor. With a side photo-inspired trip through TAC’s luscious interiors, to just take it all in. Be together. Drink in the day. Two becoming one (and a little time to rehearse shhhh…the tango…) A quick stop at the 37 Frames Photo Booth…

Then let the dancing/continued festivities/tributes/awesome first bite reactions/all-round fabulousness commence…

And the sparkly second cake. And the second-first bite. Love it.

Your bite.

My bite. To the dance floor. And the poignancy of the first dance. And a flood of emotion. Love & the Mr & Mrs first dance. And all the moments in between. And what’s better than 1 bouquet toss? Take 1. All goes according to plan. Great staging, impressive toss, extraordinary catch. Except that the catchee is already married. Oops.

Let’s try that again…Take 2. And all is well… We’re thrilled if we ever get a first dance in Japan. So when Jeff & Azusa headed back out on the dance floor, much to the astonishment of everyone and began to Tango, well, it was absolutely beyond magical. Cue massive applause. And time for everyone on the floor. You have moves, people. Serious moves… Azusa & Jeff, we hope the dancing in your life never, ever stops. Hold on tight. With both hands. (All the credit goes to your guest for this love note…) We so loved being part of telling of your storybook day. We are wishing you both the very best ALWAYS as you navigate this life together.

With much love,
Trace & Dee

& Our Fabulous 37 Frames Associate Photographers:  Anu Beseda & Emma Homerlein