Christa and Mike

 

I will always remember Christa and Mike's wedding as "that one where the power went out." Yup, true story.

But first... the beginning.

You're going to recognize a lot of people in this wedding party. I've shot the wedding of the maid of honour, who shared a bridesmaid, a junior bridesmaid, and a flower girl with Christa. They're a close group of girls, and I love revisiting them every time one or another gets married: it's guaranteed to be a blast!

Christa works as a hairdresser in downtown Sydney, Nova Scotia. I started there with the bridal party and watched the magic begin.

 

 

   

Even on her wedding day, Christa was not deterred from doing what she loves.

Neither was her daughter Ava.

Finishing touches at the salon...

...and moving on to...

these guys?

The ceremony was to be held in the beautiful Louisbourg Playhouse. It was built as part of a movie set for the Walt Disney movie Squanto: A Warrior's Tale and donated to the town after filming. It is small and beautiful in its simplicity, and on this day, it had no power. The entire town of Louisbourg was in darkness, but after only a ten-minute or so delay, Christa decided the show must go on and agreed to get married in the dark.

Someone had the forethought to light candles. It was beautiful, but I was losing my mind a bit. I wasn't prepared to shoot in the dark, and I wasn't sold on the idea of using flash in such a beautiful and romantic setting. I need not have panicked. The light from the doors was hauntingly romantic, and I couldn't have asked for a better setting for mood.


 

 

And then, as just as the vows were about to begin, Nova Scotia Power Corp. came to the rescue, and the theatre lights came on! After a good ribbing from the justice of the peace about Mike having a lightbulb moment, I got this:

...and quite possibly my favorite wedding kiss photo I've ever done.

 

Done!

Louisbourg, although tiny, has some amazing backdrops for photos. I was loving this wall and the old train tunnel it housed.
 

 

      

 

Then it was into Christa's dad's antique Chevy Malibu for a drive to Catalone for some beach scenery.

 

      

 

BAM! Nailed it like rock stars!

 

 

And I loved this suggestion from the wedding party:

 

What a gorgeous bunch!

Last stop before the reception: back to the house for some food and family and a quick shot to send to those who couldn't make the trek across the country to the ceremony:

 

 

Then, there was this.
The Albert Bridge firehall had been transformed into something spectacular. A candy bar, a cupcake bar, a buffet dinner, and streamers, lights, and amazing decorations everywhere. A truly awesome job by the decorators!

    

As expected, there was no shortage of people mingling and not once was the dance floor clear through the whole night. It was a fantastic time, and an amazing event and I am very thankful to Christa and Mike for asking me to be a part of it all.