shannon + robert

I am moving boxes to my new apartment but have left the computer on in order to get this post up before the great unplugging. Shannon and Robert came to the bachelor pad (studio) last year straight from their law offices, dressed impeccably, scaring me soundly. They were obviously both sensitive and considerate people, but having two handsome lawyers in their suits show up and sit facing my IKEA loft bed was so much of a juxtaposition for me that I actually ditched my usual Capers au naturel deodorant and went on a special shopping trip for conventional anti-perspirant just for their wedding. I have never done this in my life because I come from a very cancer-prone family, and when you have a family like mine, you just get uptight about things like conventional deodorant, breathing fresh varnish fumes, putting hot food in plastic containers and the like. In any event, I remember thinking it far better to risk one’s health than possibly make a bad impression on the wedding day. I’m happy to report that Shannon and Rob were hardly the kind of people to spend their wedding day doing anything but enjoying each other, their family and friends. What’s more, they made sure that I had eaten all my courses, and there is a special place in my heart for people who take concern with whether or not I have eaten.

Photos began at the Sutton Place Hotel with Shannon getting ready with her girls, but we soon set out, just Shannon and I, to meet up with Robert. It was fun walking around downtown with a beautiful bride on her own because I got a sense of what it would be like to be an elegant and glamorous woman on her wedding day, since I was following close behind. Many turned their heads to pay compliments as we crossed Burrard St. The couple met that day on a nicely deserted overpass by the Law Courts, and we did their portraits in the vicinity before meeting up with the bridal party. We shot very briefly in the Marine Building, but were kicked out. It was at this time, however, that I began to perceive Shannon and Rob’s legal status as a protective power.

The ceremony will always stand out in my mind as a reminder of how powerful vows can be if they are personal, thoughtful and articulate. I have been to a lot of weddings where couples are rather passively married, and it can be fine depending on the officiant. That kind of ceremony runs the risk, however, of feeling less significant than other parts of the day, less charged than the speeches at the reception for example, when the couple and their families have the opportunity to express themselves. So the long and short of this is that I am so glad that I was able to hear and capture some of the feeling which transpired during their vows, and that they made those short moments the heart of the day.

Now for the intertextual commentary:

I think I like this picture because it’s a detail shot in action. Sometimes I tire of accessories preciously arranged to be photographed. (Sometimes it works, don’t get me wrong.)

I felt like I was staff of a celebrity crossing Burrard St. Loved it!

I like the fellow getting ready to take off on his bike on the right side.

Just before security came to secure the building from our presence.

Shannon, I hope you don’t mind that I post this… it’s just so darn cute!

I looked long and hard for an alley or two which didn’t smell like pee.

The ceremony took place in the main ballroom of the Sutton Place Hotel. I really enjoyed revisiting some of the facial expressions from the ceremony.

Listening to Robert’s sister’s speech.

Now to finish the slideshow and get back to moving. Bye for now.