Last weekend my niece got married, which I had thought would make for easy blog photos. Ha! There’s a reason brides hire professional photographers. My husband's no slouch of a photographer, but with a constantly moving crowd and tricky lighting in an unfamiliar place, even he found it hard to get good photos. Between my husband and daughter I came up with a couple to share. (I shot with film and haven’t finished the roll.)

The wedding and reception were held in an old school building that had been renovated and repurposed as an antique shop/restaurant/event hall. The bride and groom are the ones about to descend the stairs. I like this candid shot—something you probably wouldn’t get from a professional wedding photographer. Click here for tips on taking candid wedding photos.

I was touched by the wedding favors. Inside the gold box is a chocolate from a candy store in my mother’s hometown. My mother passed away several years ago—she’s the only grandparent who wasn’t at the wedding.

Of course, when there are weddings there will also be anniversaries. Recently there was a forum discussion about ideas for a wedding anniversary album. Check it out and add your own ideas.

My mother once told me that she had seen her grandparents’ 50th wedding anniversary. She and I saw her parents’ 50th anniversary, and a few years before she passed away, she celebrated her own 50th. My husband and I are a long way from 50 years, but we’re making steady progress. I wish my niece and new nephew 50 years and more.

Holly