An after-wedding session at the Secret Beach in Ko Pha Ngan, Thailand – a little gem on an island with crystal clear waters that Vicky and Chris had visited several times before, and a very special place for Vicky and me. Growing up, Vicky and my parents would bring us to this island every year for more than 10 years since first falling in love with it themselves. So you could say that we’ve had a special bond with this place from the start.
Being that Vicky was my sister, there was no way that I was going to be working during her wedding, so naturally, they hired another wedding photographer to help capture their special day. But as a wedding photographer myself, I couldn’t help but want to document such a huge milestone in my sister and brother-in-law’s lives. Especially when it’s at such an incredibly beautiful location. So Vicky, Chris, and I decided to have an intimate after-wedding session with only Chris’s best man, and Vicky and I’s mother.
This way, we were able to keep the day private, and still have help if we needed it. Most of all though, we were excited because it was raining on Vicky and Chris’s actual wedding day, but their after-wedding session was nothing but nonstop sunshine with an unbelievable sunset to finish.
About the Couple
Chris and Vicky first met in 2013 at the Baur au Lac Hotel in Zürich. Vicky was doing an apprenticeship for the school of hotel management and Chris happened to be one of her supervisors.
After missing her train one night, Chris offered to let her stay the night at his place and that’s when they began to connect on a deeper level. Vicky found Chris funny and loved his vibe, and Chris says he knew Vicky was special from the day he first met her.
Eventually, they ended up together, and after a few years of dating, Chris finally asked Vicky to marry him with a surprise proposal at one of her favorite resorts while on holiday in Thailand. Vicky said yes, and the two would later return to get married.
When the Couple Realized They Wanted to Spend the Rest of Their Lives Together
For Vicky, it always felt easy when she was with Chris. There was no drama and he always allowed her to be the person she wanted to be.
Over the years, they would share many experiences and challenges together. They would move away to Thailand and then later move back home feeling more unfulfilled and unhappy than ever before.
Despite those feelings though, their bond and friendship grew beyond anything the two could have imagined. They knew that they were meant to be together for the rest of their lives.
Vicky wasn’t sure when she realized this, she only knew that things were different with Chris and that their relationship was special. Chris realized he wanted to spend the rest of his life with Vicky while they were living in Thailand.
He say’s, “Going through all of the challenges of being ex-pats together made me see her as the strongest team player I could ever have – and I wanted only her.“
Question: Is there anything specific you like/love/cherish about your partner/your relationship?
Vicky: “He lets me be the way I am and do what I love! Nothing more to say.”
Chris: “The fun! She really is fun in every possible way. When my head hurts from overthinking, she shows me a way out. She reminds me of the joy in life, loves me for the person I am, and helps me become a better version of myself.”
About the Wedding
Important Things to Have
For the couple, there were a few things that were important for them to have for their wedding. For Vicky, it was having a strong person assisting her and prioritizing what she really wanted to do/have instead of listening to other people’s opinions and expectations.
She also wanted to make sure that everyone would enjoy themselves and have a great time celebrating with them. For Chris, it was very similar.
Like Vicky, he wanted to prioritize what they wanted, not what others were expecting of them. He also says that he just wanted to stay sane during the wedding planning process.
Question: What are the top three things you would recommend to someone who is also planning on getting married in Thailand or just in another country (Destination Wedding)?
Vicky: Be sure you have a very strong, passionate, and reliable bridesmaid/best man. Ensure you have seen the venue in advance, and you have an experienced and reliable team there to take care of you. The best way for everyone to get to know each other is when you have a two- or three-day wedding. Getting together before the wedding makes it much more relaxed during the actual wedding day for everyone!
Chris: 1). Make yourself familiar with the language, traditions, and culture. 2). Don’t forget to eat! The buffet is not only there for your guests.
The After Wedding Session
About the Session
Chris & Vicky’s after wedding session was so much fun! The day of their wedding was filled with so much rain, so we were all so excited to be taking pictures in the sun.
Being on an island they love made this session all the more special and the gorgeous sunset we were lucky enough to witness was the cherry on top of such a wonderful day.
Question: Is there anything you like the most about your photos and the overall experience we had together?
Vicky: The venue was just perfect and the time we went there too (enough time during daylight and perfect for the sunset). This was possible because you went there a few days before and checked out everything. So, we have many different pictures with different light and setups, and I really loved it!!
Chris: They are 100% real and you made me look great, which requires a great set of skills.
Did you enjoy this after wedding session? See more couples’ sessions here!
Hi there friends, I’m Max.
I’m an International Wedding, People, and Lifestyle Photographer based out of Switzerland and South Africa – available for worldwide travel.
My art and I are a package of a celebration of life, silly dance moves, and jokes (dark humor included).
My photography is a celebration of life, raw emotions, pure happiness, and love—the focus: on you and all the small and big moments.
Part of me and my services is being a part of my client’s journey and everything leading up to their big celebration. I love to openly share some of that experience and knowledge to help you get to your kick-ass event of celebration! Learn more about me here!
