May the 4th be with you!!

Never has there be a more appropriate day to share a story about Star Wars, our lives and how you won’t believe where this photo hangs today…

Having both grown up Star Wars “nerds” we totally are on board with our couples who decide to incorporate Star Wars into their weddings and engagement sessions. We’ve seen the aforementioned Star Wars masks, Star Wars cake toppers, couples’ grand entrance song as the Imperial March, light saber first dances, light saber grand exits, Star Wars-inspired wedding rings, Star Wars invitations, and we’re sure there’s more to come!

Back in 2013, we photographed this couple’s engagement session who surprised us by bringing these amazing Star Wars masks. We found a cool brick wall in a random parking lot, and took some really fun photos, not thinking much about how it would ultimately become an amazing story we’d be sharing on our blog in 2020…

Long, long ago in a childhood far away…

From Mrs. Vondy:  

At the age of 6, my dad asked me if I wanted to watch a movie called "Star Wars.”  After watching the "first 3" (episodes 4-6) about 1,000 times, my dad told me that George Lucas intended to make episodes 1-3 and 7-9. I looked him in the eye and said, "Dad. I'm going to help him." I'll never forget the "what have I done?" look on his face after hearing me utter those words.

It's kind of crazy to think how much Star Wars ultimately shaped my path to where I am now. 

I grew up obsessed with Star Wars before it was cool. I was made fun of for saying it was my favorite movie on those silly favorite posters you make in a school as a kid.  Although Star Wars (specifically Return of the Jedi) was always my favorite movie, I did lie a few years and picked whatever was popular, so I wouldn't get teased, but deep down, it was always Star Wars.

Fast forward whatever many years... I went to film school which prompted the move to Los Angeles where I worked in the film industry for a few years. Although I didn't "help" George Lucas on episodes 1-3 or 7-9, nor do I really intend to go back into the film industry and work on any subsequent Star Wars Story movies (although I guess you never know!), working on movies is what eventually led me into wedding photography, and thus, meeting my now husband and business partner, Mr. Vondy!

A year after photographing this Star Wars themed session, we were contacted by someone who was looking to hang this photo in their London office lobby as an art piece.  Someone loved our photo enough they they want to put it in their office? This process took months of back and forth emails, determining file size, and at one point, I actually wasn’t sure if it was actually going to go through.

Since our wedding was coming up, I decided to keep it as a surprise to Mr. Vondy. I thought if we did wind up with a little extra cash, it would be a nice bonus to put toward our wedding.

The day finally came that it was the photo they were looking for. We were officially moving forward! Upon checking my client's email signature to add their information to our agreement, I felt a mixture shock, excitement and stupidity. All in one.

All this time, I had been communicating with ILM.

Industrial Light and Magic.

George Lucas's post-production company…

For months I’d been talking with them and had no idea! 🤦🏻‍♀️  I legit had to hold back from spontaneously dancing in our shared office at the time as I didn’t want to spoil the surprise for my future hubby. I’m not going to lie, it was HARD not telling him, but I knew it would be worth it.

At this point, our wedding was mere weeks away. We had decided to honeymoon in London (now our favorite city in the world), so I asked if we could come by to see it in person.  Luckily, ILM was more than delighted to invite us for tea.

After getting terribly lost on our way to ILM, I finally had to tell my husband why we were wasting our time attempting to find a random building in London.

Luckily, upon arrival, ILM truly WOW-ed us!  

Our photograph had been treated like it were in a museum!  It was the only piece hanging in their lobby, printed at EIGHT FEET. Over tea, they shared how much work it had been to get our photograph just perfect. It was printed in Germany on a light-box and hand-delivered to their office in London. It actually had to have it reprinted 3 times because the glass kept cracking in transit before they showed it off in a big reveal.

You can actually see it from the street! (see first photo below) Since tourists aren't allowed in the building, the building manager told us that often people stop to look, take photos of and with the piece from the street.

I suppose I was right in a way, that day I told my Dad I was going to “help” George Lucas. Our photo now graces the lobby of his company, it’s a conversation starter and hopefully, it brings a smile to the faces of those that see it.

Growing up Star Wars fans, it was really a dream come true for us both.

Although we wish we had thought to photograph this with more than just our iPhones, but back in 2014, we didn't realize we'd be wanting to share stories like this with you guys! Hopefully, we’ll get to go back to our favorite city again soon.

May the force be with you.

Join us for more fun on @thevondys Instagram!  
Or our personal instagrams: @mrs.vondy & @mr.vondy

Love Star Wars too? we’d love to hear your story!

Leave us a comment below about your favorite Star Wars story, memory, movie, one you're looking forward to, anything!  We'd love to hear how Star Wars has affected your life!