I got to know Pernilla when I’ve been photographing some weddings at Rånäs, she is the castle’s own wedding coordinator. In the spring of 2020, she calls “we have decided, will get married despite the pandemic, can you come to our cottage in Västerstråsjö?”
My second shooter Annacecilia Hülphers was there in the morning like a soft shadow said Pernilla. They wanted to have the portraits taken at a mill from the early 19th century. It is beautifully situated on a river surrounded by hills. I wanted to photograph them lying under me, in the grass, as from a bird’s perspective. Their son came cycling with a ladder, my husband was holding on, voila I got the picture. They enjoyed Champagne, climbing the rocks in the river, one of the pictures now hangs enlarged in their home.
I met staff from Rånäs castle who were guests, Jonna did hair and makeup, Helen is the “castle ghost”. The sommelier sang during the wedding and served champagne, some arranged with food. When it was time for the wedding, the wedding guests went on a tractor-trailer to the chapel where they were met by musicians. Pernilla drove Jonny to the wedding on an old riding lawnmower.
During the wedding, tears of joy came, so lovely everything.
I received an email after the wedding:
”Imagine we dared! That we made the decision to book Kicki for our day makes us so happy. We thought that it’s just us, there is no chance that we will be as beautiful in the picture as those other brides and grooms. We also thought- We should just share this day with loved ones and cuddle. But how wrong we were now thinking – is that really us? We can not stop looking and seeing new details every time. It’s like getting married again and again. Invaluable !!!! Thank you so much Kicki, eternally grateful!”
