picturing a wedding

Last week I took off from Michigan in a big green transit van, shared a seat with my baby sister and debated sociology, theology, and philosophy with my parents, bound for Port Allegany, Pennsylvania - my cousin was getting married. Paige has always been like an older sister to me, since she has no sisters, and I have two younger, so I was ecstatic to be asked to be a bridesmaid last spring. I also, of course, elected myself supplementary wedding photog for the weekend - though the actual wedding photographers, Stephanie and Rick Osborne, did an incredible job.

You can imagine my horror, if you follow my blogs or know me at all, when my little brother discovered an "Error, please press shutter release again" message on the LCD screen of my mildly trusty, ever-present Nikon d60 while driving across the country before even crossing the Pennsylvania state line.

My lovely aunt and grandmother both offered me their cameras, as did my dad. But I was leery of working with...well, less-advanced technology. I'd have little to no control over shutter speed, aperture, ISO, even on-board flash...the horror!

Friends and family often dog me to put down the lens and be more a part of things; I should take this as a sign not to depend so heavily on my SLR, and even in cameras in general.

And I was gearing myself to suck it up and work with a point-and-shoot, until Paige's best friend and maid of honor, Heather, stepped in and offered to let me borrow her Nikon d3000. THANK. GOD. I proceeded to adopt my usual shutterbugging.

Paige and Blake meet up briefly the day before The Day at The Old Library Bed & Breakfast inOlean, New York - the wedding reception after party was held.


Andromeda, or "Andi," is Paige and Blake's darling, as well as the flower girl in their wedding, and was very tired during the rehearsal at my aunt and uncle's camp in Pennsylvania.


Paige runs through her wedding vows after mimosas and hairdressing in Port Allegany.

Maid of honor Heather attaches Paige's veil Saturday at Aunt Lynn and Uncle Mike's camp in Pennsylvania.


Kathy, Paige's new mother-in-law, came in to see Paige before the ceremony. Blake wasn't allowed anywhere near Paige until she walked down the aisle.


Bridesmaids and bride had an impromptu sing-a-long pre-ceremony.


Uncle Mike hugs his daughter a few minutes before the wedding.




Paige was the most beautiful and happy bride I've ever seen.

It was a beautiful wedding and I was blessed to be a part of it; all the best to my "big sister" and her new husband, Blake!

Thanks for looking.