Some days announce themselves long in advance. June 20th, 2026, was one of them: 38 degrees, a cloudless sky over Ettlingen, and at the Ideenspinnerei, everything was waiting for Jenny and Domenic. I had the pleasure of accompanying the two of them as their wedding photographer for ten hours, from the morning's getting ready to the sparklers late in the evening.
Getting Ready
The morning belonged to Jenny. While Theresa did her hair and makeup, the details were already laid out: the rings, the fans for the guests, the dress from Bridal Boutique Baden-Baden by the window. The fans were not just decoration that day, by the way. At 38 degrees, they were essential equipment.
And then came the moment that quietly opened the day. Domenic had written Jenny a letter. She read it as the world around her grew still, and by the last paragraph at the latest, the first tears of the day were flowing. They wouldn't be the last.
First Look with the Mother of the Bride
Domenic wasn't the first to see the bride that day. At the Ideenspinnerei, Jenny's mum and the two flower girls were waiting, and when Jenny came around the corner, her mum put her hand to her mouth. These hugs needed no direction from me.
The Free Wedding
On the terrace of the Ideenspinnerei, Roxana Irion from Worte ans Herz led the ceremony, with her words and with her voice. When she began to sing, many guests were captivated. There was laughter and tears, often at the same moment.
During the ring exchange, the flower girls brought the rings forward, and after the first kiss, there was no stopping them. Jenny left with her bouquet held high, and you could hear it all the way to the other side of the Swabian Jura.
The champagne reception
The champagne reception moved indoors due to the heat, where it was pleasantly cool. Roxana continued to sing, and Jenny and Domenic could barely get out of hugs.
The first bridal couple shoot
Between the champagne reception and group photos, we stole 25 minutes. A few steps behind the venue, a small woodland path begins, weeping willows, soft light through the leaves. Not much more is needed.
Group photos and smoke bombs
Back at the location, group photos were next, and to finish, the guests lit smoke bombs. For a moment, the two of them disappeared into colour.
The evening
At dinner, Jenny and Domenic first took to the floor, followed by the best man. Afterwards, the tiramisu was cut, if one can call it that with a tiramisu. It was sealed with a high five.
The Sunset Shoot
After the meal came the light, which I had been waiting for all day. Twenty minutes, right outside the door, in the alleyways around the Ideenspinnerei. Golden sun on bright facades, and two who had long forgotten that a camera was present.
Sparklers for graduation
As the day drew to a close, the guests formed a circle of sparklers. One last dance, ten hours of wedding, and a couple who carried the day as if the heat had never been.
Thank you, Jenny and Domenic, for your trust.
The people behind this day
Location: Ideenspinnerei Ettlingen
Funeral speech and song: Words to the heart, Roxana Irion
Hair and Make-up: Theresa
Flowers: Flower raw
Catering: FreshFood
Dress: Bridal Boutique Baden-Baden
DJ: vinueljunkie
