Monique & Steve

September 17, 2010 was a Friday. Black Friday as it jokingly became known as in our little social circle. It was on that day that we married off the last of our group of girls: the lovely Monique Innocent. Now, I normally don't use last names in my posts, but how could I possibly overlook a 'Little Miss Innocent got married on Black Friday quip'? Add to that the fact that the lucky man, Steve, starts with an "S" and I'll leave the naturally following S&M jokes to you, because I know I've heard them all already: that's just how these two work.

The ceremony was held at Hatfield Farms, just outside of Halifax. There was no better choice for horse-lover Monique and outdoorsman Steve, or for my photographer self for that matter.

I began with the details Monique so painstakingly prepared, starting with the ideal footwear for a cowgirl about to walk down the aisle...

...and the pearls and brooch finally settled on after a number of purchases and returns...

...and wine glasses engraved with only days to spare.

On the day of the wedding, it poured rain, and the wind blew so hard that the drops fell sideways. Not to be deterred, Hatfield Farms simply moved the ceremony inside and, much to my delight, did an amazing job with white lights wrapped endlessly around wooden rafters and the vows themselves being framed by a massive stone fireplace adorned with lit candles.

 

They also provided use of a horse and carriage, which the girls arrived in for the ceremony and the bride and groom were given a tour of the grounds in afterward.

At one point, I was taking photos of the wedding party and turned around to find Monique chatting it up with this beautiful creature.

Oh my gosh, Monique, DON'T MOVE.
Score one point for candid photography.

The supper was also wonderful, the food fantastic, and the reception magical. I'm not sure what Steve was expecting allowing the now-blog-infamous Georgina to make a speech...

...but clearly she nailed it!

Afterward, the new Mister and Missus allowed me a brief moment to soak up the grounds with a few night shots...

...before Monique donned her custom-made Bride 2010 sweatsuit and joined the wedding guests on the mechanical bull.

Hatfield Farms puts on a fantastic evening, and I can't wait for another opportunity to shoot there. Monique and Steve also put on a fantastic evening, and I wish them all the best for a long and happy future together.

The Other Way

On the long Labour Day weekend in September, four of us girls hopped into the car for a road trip to Scrapbooking Cafe and a grand tour of some of the more southern areas of our province.

Our first stop was a very windy and remarkably beautiful Peggy's Cove. The lighthouse at Peggy's Cove has to be one of the most photographed landmarks in Nova Scotia.

and the fishing village town is just as photographically perfect.

After some well-deserved scrap-shopping and kitty love at Scrapbooking Cafe, the girls delighted in taking me to Mahone Bay for my first shot of the infamous three churches there. I've been told you can't call yourself a Nova Scotian photographer without a shot of this street, so I have now complied, but can't choose between the vertical and horizontal.

We then strolled the streets of Lunenburg, home of the Bluenose II, the Nova Scotian-built schooner portrayed on the Canadian ten-cent coin, and these charming park benches lining the street.

While I'm still partial to the northern part of the province, mostly for the sentimental reason of homesickness, it was awesome to explore some of the southern regions. We got some exercise and fresh air and spent too much money, but there were great people and great discoveries, and great times with a great bunch of girls!