Alisha & Kelly

Saturday September 5, 2015

Today we woke up bright and early and headed off to the small. quiet town of Austin, Manitoba.  I don't know who was more excited... me......or the bride?  From the moment Alisha sent me a sneak peak of her wedding dress to all of the tiny details she shared with me online, it was going to be a fabulous day.
This beautiful image was captured by my talented colleague, Jill (www.LuxeImagesbyJill).  Thank you for taking such gorgeous photos today of such a wonderful couple.
Jill and I arrived to a house full of handsome groomsmen getting ready for the big day.  It was so cute to watch Kelly's crew help him with his suit and cuff links.
Kelly was all smiles as the morning passed and we photographed this group in a great location filled with old buildings, cars and a bean field.

A short drive away was Alisha's parents home who would host the ceremony later on in the day.  What a perfect location! In a clearing surrounded by trees was a barn, a bridge and an old swing decorated with ivy and white tulle.  Thank you to the wonderful McNeill Media Videographers (mcneillmediacreations.com) for sharing in my enthusiasm while we photographed the backyard.

Within moments Alisha was stepping into her vintage-inspired wedding gown.  After a few happy tears and hugs from her parents she stepped into the woods to begin our photo session.  Alisha, WOW......your beauty and elegance was captivating and I can't thank you enough for standing amongst the mosquitoes, walking in the dirt and smiling in the misty rain and making it all look so flawless.  Some of my favourite wedding images of this season were captured today, thank you!




Kelly waited in a nearby hay field for Alisha to arrive so they could have their "First Look."  I always love this part.  This is when we all experience true RAW emotion.  It never fails... as the groom turns around to see his future bride my eyes well up with tears.  I love it.
Kelly and Alisha selected a variety of wonderful locations from trees, fields, dirt roads and railway tracks each showcasing scenery from the towns that they were from and our great Manitoba landscape.





Kelly and Alisha have such a fun and charismatic energy that I could have hung out with them all day.  Sadly, I had to share them with their incredible wedding party.  Thank you to each and everyone of you for making this day so special and for supporting such an amazing couple!  We photographed the bridal party at the Manitoba Agricultural Museum.  I had never been there before and I had a blast photographing the old buildings and visiting with their adorable cats.


Alisha and Kelly exchanged their wedding vows amongst family and friends with the reception to follow shortly after.
The reception venue was decorating in white tulle, mini lights and a cookie bar........YES, a homemade cookie bar.  I was in heaven!  It was a great evening filled with hilarious speeches, a delicious dinner by Countryside Kitchen & Catering (countryside kitchen@yahoo.ca) and awesome dancing.
Thank You... Alisha and Kelly, we had an amazing time and we wish you many years of love, fun, and FRIENDS reruns!

Congratulations!

My Favourite Photo!

Ari & Faren

Sunday August 23, 2015

With every wedding that I have photographed I have been welcomed into the love story of the couple.  I hear the stories about how the couple met and laugh along with the friends and family as they describe the fun adventures they have all experienced together.  There is a special joy that surrounds a wedding day and it is such an amazing feeling for me to have the opportunity to capture their story in photographs.

When I was asked to photograph Ari and Faren's wedding day I never would have imagined that their wedding would capture my own heart in such a way that made me love photographing weddings even more.......how is that possible?
I met Ari and Faren in the most unique way......... it was over the phone after Faren's parents, Sid and Andrea literally "set us up!"  Faren and Ari lived in Alberta so their family and friends became their wedding planners.   From what I've heard Sid and Andrea have been known to be quite the little match makers, in fact, it was revealed at the wedding that they played a big role along with Ari's parents on getting Ari and Faren together in the first place.  Pretty sneaky!

We woke up to an unusually cool and wet August summer day.  The weather forecast called for rain and heavy winds.  As I pulled up to Faren's home I remember hoping that the weather would brighten up for just a little bit......and it did but in a different way.  From the moment Faren walked into her childhood home her smile and excitement brought a ray of sunshine that never left all day.  Faren's beauty and energy was shared amongst her family and their house was full of laughter and joy as she stepped into her wedding dress on her way to see Ari for their first look.


Ari looked so handsome as he waited for Faren to arrive.  He was surrounded by his old school chums and they even broke out into a classic street hockey game before the wedding.



As Faren stepped out of the limo the sun came out for just a moment to shine on the happy couple, it was a very beautiful moment.
The crazy weather became a comedic outlet as the wind attempted to blow Faren's veil off her head  but I was so lucky to have the Etz Chayim Synagogue as my back drop.  From the pillars to the gorgeous stained-glass windows it was such a wonderful place.



Thank you to Ari and Faren's bridal party for being such a fun group of friends to work with.  I enjoyed listening to the hilarious stories and events that you have all shared with the couple.

Every wedding is so different, some couples follow the latest fashion trends and ideas while others embrace their heritage and culture.  I am always intrigued by history especially traditions amongst families.  Ari and Faren's entire wedding day was filled with heirlooms that graced their own families from decades earlier.  They celebrated the lives of their loved ones that have passed on by incorporating memorabilia into their wedding ceremony and reception.

An exquisite piece of art called the Ketuba, or marriage contract, was designed and illustrated by a former student of Ari's and scribed by his Hebrew and bar mitzvah teacher.
Thank you to Ari and Faren for welcoming me into your lives to photograph such an amazing day.   I felt the love and energy as your family and friends danced around you in the HORA!  I wish you both  all the very best as you begin your new adventure together.

Congratulations!
A very special Thank YOU to Sid and Andrea for introducing me to this extraordinary couple!

My Favourite Photo.
I'd like to thank Jill(www.luxeimagesbyJill.com), my second shooter for the day along with McNeill Media Professional Videography (www.mcneillmediacreations.com).