This post is Part 3 of a 3-part series. Read Part 1 – Read Part 2 – Read Part 3

Receptions are always a lot of fun.  Usually because the scariness and nervousness of the ceremony itself is over and done with, people are feeling celebratory and relaxed, and yes, alcohol is being served.

Here are a few shots of the final chapter of Liz and Gary’s wedding.  Lots of very happy people enjoying the company of new family members.

This post is Part 2 of a 3-part series. Read Part 1 – Read Part 2 – Read Part 3

Another thing that was great about Liz and Gary’s wedding was that Gary’s side of the family had (mostly) come over from the U.K. to attend.  It was nice to discuss the fickleness of March weather in London with Gary’s sister, which is a topic that doesn’t usually come up in most weddings we shoot.

The fact that almost everyone had cameras was also something to be happy about.  Some photographers are annoyed by masses of people with point and shoot cameras, but how can it be bad for friends and family to want to take pictures of loved ones?  As a fan of photography, there’s not really any way that I can protest this.  Sometimes it means that we need to do a bit more maneuvering, or shout things like “look over here for a moment!”, but that’s a small price to pay.  After all, the wedding is about the families and friends, NOT the photographers.

Having other people taking photos also helps in some ways – it’s sometimes easier to get the close-up, unguarded shots of the happy couple if their attention is elsewhere!

Anyway – this particular wedding took place on the beach at dusk, and was a very quick ceremony, punctuated with bikers and joggers on the path directly behind the ceremony site.  Some of them kept right on going, some of them stopped to watch.  I think I would probably have stopped to watch, too.

The officiant was unique as well – her stole was festooned with a variety of colorful patches – one for each wedding she’d taken part in.   I think one of them was an ear of corn, and I’m kind of sad that I didn’t get the story behind that one.

On to the photos!