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As a politician, it’s never a bad idea to surround yourself with smiling faces.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper, dressed in a Tory-blue windbreaker, made an impromptu appearance during a wedding shoot in Ottawa over the weekend, posing with a beaming bride and groom after a chance meeting in scenic Rockcliffe Park.Photographer Laura Kelly was snapping pictures of bride Jocelyne Potvin and groom Patrick Sullivan and their wedding party on Saturday when they spotted three dark cars pulling up.

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“Someone jokingly says, ‘I bet you it’s the Prime Minister or something!'” she recounted on her blog.

“We laugh, and move on with our photo taking. (But) wouldn’t you know it, Mr. Stephen Harper himself came over to wish the bride [and] groom a happy wedding day!”

Harper, escorted by a serious-looking security team, introduced himself to the wedding party and shook everyone’s hand, Kelly said. He posed for pictures with a beaming bride and groom as well as the entire wedding party, which had 12 bridesmaids and groomsman in total.

Kelly said said the best part of the interaction with the prime minister came when Harper asked the groom if they’ve done it already — meaning the actual wedding ceremony.

“Nope, first time!” Sullivan, the groom, replied, thinking the prime minister was asking the couple if they’d been married before.

After introducing himself to Kelly, Harper suggested someone take a photo of them.

“Let’s see if someone can work your camera,” he said.

The bride took a photo of Harper and Kelly, which she posted on her blog.

“A true celebrity sighting and a super fun experience to boot,” Kelly wrote.

Freed from the shackles of Parliament’s dress code, Harper wore a pair of dark-blue jeans, a button-down shirt, and a blue windbreaker with the logo of the 2008 International Ice Hockey World Championship, which was hosted by Halifax and Quebec City. Canada lost in the gold medal game to Russia in overtime. One would think the prime minister would have access to less painful memorabilia.

Kelly later thanked Harper over Twitter, and sent along a link to the pictures. Sometimes good publicity works two ways.