Man. What a day. What a crazy, windy, wonderful day.

I had no real expectations of what it was going to be like – Bridge and Stu live in London, so we had only spoken on the phone briefly. I knew times and locations, and that there was going to be a LOT of family there, but nothing else.

They held their wedding out at Bridget’s nan’s farm. Used it as a reason to get the whole, far flung and far out clan together for a day. They spent two days scrubbing out the shearing shed, before they could even think about making it look pretty.

They put up a marquee for the oldies and the kids. And then they got married. To the strains of the Star Wars Theme. After the ceremony, the party got started. Well, after about twenty thousand family photos, every one with at least thirty people.

OK. I exaggerate. But not by much.

The weather was stinking hot. Super windy. I gave up trying to keep my gear clean and put my faith in Canon’s weatherproofing. Everyone pitched in – serving food, looking after kids, cleaning tables. You helped yourself to drinks. The afternoon stretched out into evening, then slowly became night. There were speeches and dancing. Dirty feet and cold beers. Not enough hats. Too much food – but ain’t that always the way at family gatherings? Four generations. And mums, in frocks, in utes.

It was a wedding completely without pretension. It was, really, a helluva day. Here it it. From first look to last light.