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After the ceremony, we headed to the Country Club. As night fell over West Vancouver, a smattering of snowflakes added a wintery, festive charm. Guests started trickling in and treating themselves to an open bar, Shima waited in an adjacent room — nowhere to be seen. This gave me plenty of time to scope out the best angles to cover the toasts/guests as well as set up the wireless mics.

Persian receptions are very similar to the traditional Western style. Among them, dancing is one of my favourite parts, especially when there is a live band. The three piece band was on hand to provide the night’s entertainment.

The snow-laden road was cleared by the time we headed back up to the house. Once inside, I had ample time to set up the cameras while guests started trickling in. The mood was relaxed as Reza cracked numerous jokes to keep everyone entertained.

As far as ceremonies go, Persian ceremonies are one of the most easy-going and least stressful to film. Bride and groom don’t exchange vows or say much, apart from the anticipated shouts of “yes” (pronounced ba-li), so wiring them up for audio is mostly unnecessary. I was shooting from the middle-back of the room which is the perfect angle to include everyone.

The final touches – veil, dress and shoes completed Shima’s transformation into ’stunning bride’. The dressing room, dimly lit from the warm, incandescent orange glow of the lamps above and the sky casting its overcast rays through the curtained windows enhanced the unhurried, sanguine mood.

After a brief visit by Reza to her dressing room, she was ready for her close-up. Photographer, Rob, along with his assistant, and myself hauling each our respective bags of photographic and cine equipment, traversed through the hallways towards the large window in the Country Club dining room. Light reflected from the snow and clouds provided an ample amount of light for the photoshoot. As she was being photographed, Reza and their bridal party looked on.

Later, we dared to step outside, but only for so briefly as there is a real chilly winter nip in the air.

Snow fell in West Vancouver in the remaining days of 2007. It was the afternoon. Traveling up the freshly blanketed mountain road to the house where the ceremony was held proved slightly treacherous and, depending on your perspective, fun. Nonetheless, the scenery was beautiful and bright, in stark contrast to the soggy and overcast day just moments prior heading up.

The groom arrived later in a sporty sedan, of which both seemed none for the worse. Walking the slushy steps to the house proved more demanding, however. Once inside, we had the chance to see the ceremonial flourishes decorated on the silvery fabric covering the floor. Flowers, candelabras, a mirror and all assortment of sweets.

In an adjacent room, Shima and her bridesmaids were getting ready. The atmosphere seemed calm upon first impression, but intermittingly pierced with the hurried chatter one expects. Our pit stop at the house was only temporary. Everyone was getting ready to head to the Country Club for some photos first…

“It was truly amazing. You made us laugh and you made us cry — I no longer have to wish for “our day” again, as you have captured every moment in a special way that we will always treasure. You could have never given us a more special gift than you did with our video… I don’t know how I could ever properly thank you!”

Kathy & Brian