We’ve been hearing a lot of chatter about the new Wes Anderson film, Moonrise Kingdom, so we thought it would be fitting to share this shoot. Plus, we loved the film. We’re sure this couple did too, but it was actually The Royal Tenenbaums, Anderson’s 2001 film that inspired this e-sesh. It’s Chris + Hanniel’s go-to movie when they’re feeling sick, need a giggle, or want to be reminded of how they met. They watch it A LOT, and it’s the film’s quirky and off-beat style they hoped to capture in their photos. They have quite the love story to tell, so we’re going to let Hanniel take it from here…
Chris and I met right out of high school. We were attracted to each other right away but it was our love for Wes Anderson that bonded us. Royal Tenenbaums was and is both of our favorite movies. I had never had a boyfriend or even kissed a boy, so our common bond helped my awkward self feel more at ease. Throughout our relationship we quoted Wes Anderson movies. Although it helped my awkward and horrid dating personality, it didn’t cure it. I was horribly shy, said all the wrong things and ruined every romantic moment. But Chris says that when he first saw me he was in love and after our first conversation about Wes Anderson, he said he decided that no matter what it took he was going to marry me. And he did, he was never scared off and pursued me through the awkwardness, until being with each other felt like home. Over the years we fell more and more in love. If one of us was sick in bed, we’d always bring over soup and Royal Tenenbaums.
After 5 1/2 years of dating, the talk of marriage was beginning to get serious. Chris even asked my parents for my hand in marriage. But around the same time, I began getting sick. I got sicker and sicker until I was bed ridden and in and out of the hospital. Doctors couldn’t diagnose me and 3 sickly years passed. But instead of being scared off, or deciding the burden of my illness was too much to carry, Chris stood strong by my side. Never wavering. Always believing that I’d be completely healed. Through it all he was there, sitting by my side at DR.s appts, in the ER, the hospital, by my bed side. Finally after being transferred to Stanford I got a diagnosis. “You’ll have this for the rest of your life, learn how to live with it”. I went into deep depression and had a speech ready for Chris about how I want the best for him and this kind of life with me was not it.
But his love astounded me, it blew me away. He would listen to my speech and let me cry on his shoulder for the next few months. He actually played Royal Tenenbaums to cheer me up. At this point I was sicker than ever, 94 pounds and bed ridden. Meanwhile without my knowledge Chris had asked my parents for my hand in marriage again, a refresher. Knowing that he was signing up for a life of being my nurse, on his own, Chris was planning his proposal. He planned to propose in my room while I was in bed. But after seeing a new doctor and trying new remedies, I started to feel better. By the time Chris proposed I was well enough to enjoy his elaborate nostalgic proposal and celebrate with my family. When he proposed I felt hit by a pure and sacrificial love and basically cried for an hour.
We decided to get married in Maui so that we could have a small, low impact wedding for my health. After years of seeing and experiencing so many ugly things, me and Chris and our families wanted to experience something beautiful. After 8 1/2 years of being in love through everything we’re getting married in Maui and moving to Austin. So this chapter in our lives, really is a new and wonderful adventure!
Thank you for sharing your story C + H. We wish you an incredible wedding in Hawaii!
Stylist & design: Rebekah Carey McNall of A & B Creative / Photography: Delbarr Moradi / Brides long green dress: vintage / Bride’s green and pink dress: H & M / Bride’s red top: vintage / Blue skirt: Forever 21 / Bride’s coral necklace: Banana Republic / Bride’s coral shoes: JCREW / Brides pink necklace: H&M / Bride’s cobalt blue wedges: Target / Blue & white Striped wedges: Target / Bride’s oxfords: vintage Ferragamo / Bride’s ivory crochet dress: Free People / Orange fur coat: Free People / Groom’s oxford shoes: Asos / Groom’s chambray shirt: Banana Republic, Groom’s boots: Clarks / Groom’s jeans: Levi’s / Groom’s blue sweater and wool jacket: vintage / Groom’s boat shoes: Sperrys / Make-up: Nikol Elaine Artistry
