I don't know if I've ever had a wedding that I would call "just like every other wedding". Maybe someday in the future, after hundreds of weddings have been shot, that day will come. But for now, they're all unique, and each day brings new surprises, and new special moments like none that came before it.

Which leads me to Amy-Lee & James' wedding (excuse the difficult to pronounce punctuation, but James is a writer, so I'm obligated to get it right), where every moment was infused with personal touches and celebration.

The day began at a friend's house in Wallace, NS, where the ladies (and gentlemen) were getting ready for the day. Those in attendance numbered well beyond the bridal party, but the house made room for everyone. I regret to say that I didn't have any of those lovely wedding cookies. They were just too pretty for me to chomp on.

It was soon time to visit the groom and his gaggle at Inn the Elms (a name which is syntactically difficult in any sentence that I could conjure) in Pugwash. The quaint commorancy was filled with many small rooms in what one might call a "Harry Potteresque" fashion. Many hairstyles were attempted, and many suspenders were, umm, suspended.

As family and friends gathered at the farm, so did the rain-heavy clouds. A tent was ready in place to shelter the guests, but the wedding party would have no such amenities. Without a question and without a doubt, the ceremony would proceed through the rain. With smiles and laughter, and fully camouflaged tears, the ceremony went off without a hitch. I wiped my camera down between earnest moments and eloquent vows, thankful that I hadn't had my hair styled that morning, nor would it take terribly long to dry once we finally got back inside.

After the family photos, the rain decided that it was in no way through with us, and picked up with even greater conviction. We all took refuge in the barn, which was rapidly rearranged with the help of some expert tractor skills.

We even got the chance to have some of the local non-indigenous fowl to join us for the photos. Some were more excited about this than others.

It is time for the final destination of our crew: "The Pig Barn". I put that in quotations as though it were potentially something else, but I assure you, it is not. A great deal of elbow grease and love went into converting the pig barn into a highly personalized reception hall. Family from both sides of the pond gathered together, many meeting for the first time for this celebration. It was immediately apparent that audience participation was going to be a big part of this reception. Quizzes and karaoke sought to bring everyone out to show off their skills. The photographer may have even sang a few bars...but you won't find any evidence of this in the photos, obviously ;)

After a beautiful and minimal first dance, the light bulbs were changed out for whirling beams of colour, and the party started. The home made gathering place was transformed into a dance club, and the celebration wore into the night.

All in all, it was a fantastic day, filled with love and joy, and I am thankful to have been invited to be a part of it. Congratulations Amy-Lee and James!