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Part six of posts about my brother-in-law's wedding last week picks up from the previous post, about the reception at the point when the couple had stepped out to prepare for another phase of the reception. With the couple out of the room, the mingling among the guests took up in earnest...

Nikon D700 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — ¹/250 sec, f/2.5, ISO 6400 — map & image data — nearby photos
Parents of the Groom
make the rounds

As I mentioned in Reception, Part I, it honors someone to pour a drink for them, and Shogo's parents made the rounds to the tables bearing smiles and beer.

Nikon D700 + Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 @ 70 mm — ¹/125 sec, f/2.8, ISO 6400 — map & image data — nearby photos

Nikon D700 + Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 @ 70 mm — ¹/125 sec, f/2.8, ISO 6400 — map & image data — nearby photos
Humbly Offered
Humbly Received

Nikon D700 + Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 @ 70 mm — ¹/125 sec, f/2.8, ISO 6400 — map & image data — nearby photos
All Standing
and so it went with each table

Nikon D700 + Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 @ 130 mm — ¹/250 sec, f/2.8, ISO 6400 — map & image data — nearby photos
Anthony Discovered The Higher Ground
the set of stairs heretofore unused except by me here

Nikon D700 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 24 mm — ¹/125 sec, f/2.8, ISO 2000 — map & image data — nearby photos
Parents of the Bride
make the rounds, talking to the groom's cousin

Namiko's parents were also making the rounds to mingle with the guests, bringing smiles and beer, in the picture above chatting with Fumie's cousin Satomi. After snapping the picture I intended to stand and visit with them myself, but was suddenly interrupted by a seven-year-old boy with a sudden and apparently urgent need to use the bathroom, so I ended up missing that chance.

While waiting in the hall for Anthony, one of the staff let me know quietly that the couple would soon make a dramatic and unannounced grand entrance at the top of the stairs, so I should get ready with the camera, but to be sure not to tip off the others by being too obvious about it.

Nikon D700 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — ¹/250 sec, f/5.6, ISO 6400 — map & image data — nearby photos
Dramatic Entrance

Namiko had changed from her wedding gown into a western evening gown, as is common at many Japanese weddings.

Nikon D700 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 24 mm — ¹/125 sec, f/2.8, ISO 1000 — map & image data — nearby photos
All Eyes (and Spotlights) on the Couple

Nikon D700 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 24 mm — ¹/125 sec, f/2.8, ISO 720 — map & image data — nearby photos
Bigger than Life

Their descent ended right in front of my chair, where they paused for effect and photos, and I was well aware that sitting normally I'd be right in everyone's way, so I slunk down as low as I could go. At least it made for the sort of interesting shot above.

Once the lights came up and they moved over a bit, I felt better about sitting up normally, and could try for some off-the-cuff portraits...

Nikon D700 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — ¹/400 sec, f/2.5, ISO 5000 — map & image data — nearby photos
Namiko
( she was really too close for a good portrait with the 125mm Voigtländer; if I would have had the time, I would have switched to the Nikkor 85mm f/1.4 for this )

Nikon D700 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — ¹/400 sec, f/2.5, ISO 3600 — map & image data — nearby photos
Shogo
( sporting a new boutonniere matching Namiko's dress and hair flowers )

Nikon D700 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — ¹/400 sec, f/2.5, ISO 6400 — map & image data — nearby photos
Dress Detail

Nikon D700 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — ¹/400 sec, f/2.5, ISO 4000 — map & image data — nearby photos
Standard Boutonniere Shot

I'm quite partial to this kind of boutonniere shot, since having stumbled upon this shot of my brother Mike's boutonniere at my brother Alan's wedding not long after getting my first DSLR, and then getting this shot at a friend's wedding a couple of years ago. Having a bit of the bride in this one really adds a touch I like.

This photo op done, the couple moved on to their own mingling phase, visiting each table to pay their respects...

Nikon D700 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — ¹/400 sec, f/2.5, ISO 3600 — map & image data — nearby photos
Shogo
at ease in his element

Nikon D700 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — ¹/320 sec, f/2.5, ISO 6400 — map & image data — nearby photos
H A P P Y

The first table they visited was ours, and when they brought out the letters and balloons, Anthony got the “H” and started to be silly with it, setting the pace for all the tables. The guy in the photo above is exactly mimicking what Anthony did, which Anthony quickly points out whenever he sees these photos.

Nikon D700 + Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 44 mm — ¹/125 sec, f/2.8, ISO 1600 — map & image data — nearby photos
Table #2 of Ten

Nikon D700 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — ¹/250 sec, f/2.5, ISO 1800 — map & image data — nearby photos
Passing the Time
playing with a Spirograph-like toy

Nikon D700 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — ¹/250 sec, f/2.5, ISO 5600 — map & image data — nearby photos
More Mingling
( he's giving a peace sign, not donkey ears )

Nikon D700 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — ¹/250 sec, f/2.5, ISO 4500 — map & image data — nearby photos
... and More...

Nikon D700 + Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 — ¹/250 sec, f/2.5, ISO 4500 — map & image data — nearby photos
... and finally, the honor of being the last table goes to
Namiko's Folks' Table

Continued here...