The Wedding -- The Party!!

The reception was held at Fort Gibraltar, an actual restored fort. Last summer when we first met the bubs down under, I got this same shot of the two proud granddads and kiddies.

Gaby couldn't get enough lovin' on our little mini bride.

A few more poses for the official photographers.

Just look at her.

The groom and his proud Mum.

Time to party!!

Cousins. Thanks for the face Nick.

Nick and Gaby, with my Mom and Dad.

Now that Nathan's officially family, Pier's Mom presented him with the proper winter gear for Winnipeg, for future Christmas visits.

During Manon's speech, she invited Pier up for a dance, for old time's sake. Love these girls!

Their first dance, to Chris Isaak. Nice.

Everyone danced.

Dad and his daughters.

Pier and her girlfriends.

Dancing works up a thirst.

The wedding cake was an Australian mud cake.

Yum!

The evening was a lovefest. I was touched by the speeches. Pier's Mom Louise acknowledged both her husband and myself as being important in the lives of her children. And so did Marc, thanking their stepfather, and me, the stepmother. Lots of emotion. Tears from those delivering the speeches. Both of the Moms and Dads spoke. Marc joked about all of the grandparents these bubs have, as both sides are divorced. I cried off all of my make up. Elise has the photos to prove it!

I recall someone being surprised at the people who were speaking to each other. People who, because of the rearrangements of the families, may have been aware of each other, but didn't really know each other. Whatever had transpired to that point, we had all come together because of our love for Pier and Nathan and their love for each other. I thought the night was just perfect!

The Wedding -- The Ceremony!!!

The weather cleared up, stayed cool and overcast, perfect for photos. The only evidence of the rain, besides the occasional puddle, was the sinking of my heels anytime I stepped off the path at Assiniboine Park.

Pier and Nathan traveled from Australia, as did some of Nathan's family and friends, including his parents. Holding the wedding in Winnipeg made it possible for guests to attend who might otherwise have not been able to, had they gotten married either down under, or somewhere in the middle. Marc thought Hawaii would have been a nice, central location. But in the end, many of us journeyed to Winnipeg to be with them on their special day. We would have traveled anywhere.

The ceremony was at 4 p.m. in the Leo Mol sculpture gardens, but even the beauty of that setting was diminished by the beauty of the bride. Breathtakingly beautiful and so obviously happy and in love!

Marc snapped this one as they were preparing to make their walk together.

Manon, beautiful sister, beautiful maid of honour.

I love this photo, which actually features all three Nathans: way back on the left, Nathan the best man, who traveled from AU to be with his mate, Nathan the groom, looking dashingly handsome in his wedding finery, Nathan the brother of the bride, all suited up to celebrate. Three blue-eyed Nathans, all at the same wedding. What are the odds of that?

Here comes the bride. And her proud Papa!

We were seated under a pergola, on the other side of this body of water, and we watched them walk 'round and come up behind us.

Even more beautiful close up!

They might have looked a little bit nervous, but they looked a lot more happy!

And in love.

Making it official.

The coloured sand on the table is the result of pouring from four different vessels of sand, each a different colour, each representing the four members of this family united as one.