Wedding - Erin and Francis

This was a day that could have gone horribly wrong. Catastrophically wrong.

See those rain drops on the window? They were there all day. And they were big and fat and very heavy.



Rain was predicted, and rain it did. Erin and her family watched the satellite weather report all day, and it didn't look good. In fact, it looked bad, very bad. Especially considering Erin and Francis had planned an outdoor garden wedding.



When I stepped out of my car to photograph Erin's preparation the sky unleashed an almighty downpour. Erin's dad opened the door to one very wet photographer.



When I got there Erin and her family were in decision making mode. It was getting close to the ceremony start time, and if they were going to change their plans because of the rain they had to do it now. They ran through the possibilities, devoid of emotion. 'There's no use getting upset', Erin said wisely as she cancelled the string quartet and arranged to change the ceremony to the reception venue.





I really am immensely amazed and proud of Erin and Francis. If ever there was a time to panic, that was it. But they held onto their heads and soldiered on with a fierce determination not to let the weather spoil their wedding day.

And spoil it did not! Erin and Francis had already arranged to see each other before the wedding. They had planned to ride to the ceremony together (which I think is a great idea). So Francis and his family waited out the time before the ceremony with Erin and her family. The afternoon was joyous as they all got to know each other, shared champaign, and turned the weather into a laughing point.



The changes to the day meant that Erin got to pin on Francis' button hole flower. Not many bride's get to do that!



So because the ceremony had been pushed later in the day, we had some time to kill before hand. I waited for a break in the clouds and took Erin and Francis out for some photos.







They got wet. At times they got very wet. But they just laughed. And what else could they have done really? Cry in a puddle? That's no way to spend your wedding day.



I have to make special mention of Erin's sister Bernadette. Yes, she's carrying three umbrellas and a bouquet of flowers. She came along while I took photos of Erin and Francis to help us out. I have to apologise for making her try to follow me around with an umbrella while I shot so that my camera wouldn't get wet. She did a marvelous job, and her smile and laughter were much appreciated.









At least the rain makes for great photos!









Then it was on to the ceremony. Sure, the day was out of the order a wedding traditionally goes in. But it was still completely fun, and completely awesome.



Guests certainly didn't mind.









The sun set over a perfect day. Perfect because Erin and Francis still got married, and still got to share it with their family and friends. Everything else was inconsequential.



My best to you both. You should congratulate yourselves for not losing sight of the bigger picture on your wedding day. The fact that you worked so well and gracefully under pressure is an extremely strong foundation on which to base your lives together.



* Meaghan