Reflections by Jocelyne

The Wonderful Wedding Show 2012

2012-01-23T13:51:00.000-06:00

Over the past weekend I had a booth for the very first time at the Wonderful Wedding Show. Wow, what an experience. I had such an awesome time! It was so great to meet such a huge variety of people and to talk about weddings for 2 days straight. I was at booth#1035 which I feel was one of the best places to be. I was surrounded by other great vendors such as Platinum Productions, who even played a few ABBA songs for me, Julie at Floral Fixx, and Lee from Buffalo Point Resort. What a great group of people.

I also had the chance to catch up with my photographer friends and make new ones. I loved the inspiration in the room from cupcakes to crystal....what a fun time.

On a personal note, there are so many people who contributed to the success of my weekend. I have to thank Natasha and Darlene for helping me at my booth, for Jen who added the final touches, to Jill for the gorgeous flower arrangement, and for TRAVIS, my amazing husband.....who not only helped me build, set up and tear down my booth but for all of the things you do everyday that brings a smile to my face. I am so happy to have such a great circle of people in my life and I can't thank all of my family and friends enough for your love and encouragement.

Lindsay and Riley

2011-11-26T08:17:00.000-06:00

My last wedding of the season!! What a wonderful pair to end the year with!

I met Lindsay and Riley almost 2 years ago to discuss their wedding which at that time was almost 2 years away. I remembered being impressed on how organized they were. They knew every important detail that they wanted featured in their day but also that they had a shared passion between each other of FOOTBALL!

The sport of football is something they featured throughout their wedding day but it was also a highlight during their engagement session as Lindsay tackled Riley!! I love meeting a couple that shares love and friendship but especially when they can have "fun."

I met a very nervous but super excited Lindsay on Saturday morning at her aunt's house. Her friends and her mom held her hand as she stepped into her beautiful dress. Lindsay has an amazing glow about her, whether it's her sparkling eyes or charismatic smile but she looked absolutely gorgeous. When my daughter saw her pictures she said to me......"wow" is that a real princess?

Riley met us at the house just before noon. He looked so handsome as he strutted down the street with the rest of his male entourage. Riley and his team of merry men all sported the fanciest white runners I have ever seen. Perfect football shoes!

As Lindsay stepped out of the house to see Riley for the first time, tears of joy ran down the cheeks of her mom and friends, it was so wonderful to see such an amazing couple embrace and prepare on their next adventure of becoming husband and wife.

Darlene and I had so much fun capturing the moments throughout the day, but also in having a few photos with the football in the scene. It reminded me of "Where's Waldo?"

Thank you to all of the bridal party, the parents and friends that helped make Lindsay and Riley's wedding so much fun to photograph,

A special thank you to Lindsay and Riley!! Both of you looked so stunning and I was so honoured to capture your day. Football and all!

As I close my final wedding blog of the year I just want to thank all my AMAZING wedding couples, their friends and family..........for adding such joy to my life. I love photographing people like you who add to the fun, the beauty, and the joy of the moments that surround a wedding day but for also allowing me to play and become inspired over and over again!

Thank you to my assistant Natasha and to Darlene for adding a touch of your photographic style to each of the weddings. Great work!

Happy Holidays!!!!

Jen and Daryl

2011-11-13T09:52:00.000-06:00

Live For Today!!!

All my life I have heard of famous quotes about living for today, living in the moment, and not sweating the small stuff. I am often inspired by inspirational words and it helps me to appreciate all that is wonderful in the world. I was inspired by Jen and Daryl.

I met Daryl years ago at our friend's cabin and one thing I remember most about him was his true "zest for life". It's not often that you meet someone who at such a young age can appreciate life and see the adventure that lies within it. So when I received his call a few months ago to photograph his wedding I was excited to see him again but also to meet the amazing girl who had captured his heart. Jen was even more beautiful than I had imagined and I was surprised to see that a girl who carried such beauty was even more fantastic on the inside. She was smart, charismatic but shared the same "zest" for adventure and life that I remembered about Daryl all those years ago.

During our final meeting before the wedding Jen only had one request.......to enjoy her day! She wanted to make sure that we had enough time to photograph their day but she also did not want to be rushed. She wanted to spend this amazing time with her girlfriends, her husband, and his friends. I was reminded of how each one of them had played such an important role in their lives and she wanted to live that day with them. That was one of the first times that I had heard that request. It wasn't about rushing through the day just to that they could "party", but rather she didn't want to rush it.........she wanted to savour it all.

My assistant, Natasha, and I arrived at Jen and Daryl's home by 10am. I had to laugh when we arrived because Jen was standing in her kitchen with her hair set in pin curls, her girlfriends getting their hair done and the movie, "27 dresses" was playing on the t.v. This was just like a slumber party!

Soon it was time for Jen to step into her dress as her bridesmaids finished getting ready. Jen came out of her room and was greeted by her teary-eyed mom. It was a beautiful moment. Jen's speech later on that evening talked about her love of her mother but also at how proud she was to be a reflection of her. As they stood embraced in the hall you could see the connection they share.

Jen and Daryl decided to "see each other" privately before the official wedding ceremony. We scheduled to meet at the old Medicine Rock Cafe for noon. It was the perfect setting with nature surrounding them and the sound of geese swimming in the river below. Daryl stood patiently with his back turned until we gave him the cue to turn around. When he did.........it was better than any "chick flick!" Jen looked stunning and took his breath away, he just smiled and said "WOW!"

We photographed at Medicine Rock Cafe for a short time before Jen and Daryl went into the limo to pick up their bridal party and meet us at the Headingly train bridge, our next photo location.

While standing on the bridge all you could feel was the November chilly breeze go right through you. At that moment, I thought Jen was going to freeze but she surprised me again. She came out of the limo, wearing a warm wrap, carrying her flowers and ready to go.

I had such a great time working with this group as the bridal party reminded me of a big happy family. I could see why Jen and Daryl loved to spend time with them so much. They were fun, spirited, and full of laughter. Thank you to each one of you for bearing the cold and making this adventure so wonderful to be a part of.

The ceremony was held at Bridges for 4:30pm. We arrived early enough to give Jen and Daryl some time to relax and for me to start photographing the ballroom. It was at this time that I saw the true talent and artistry of the couple. They made all of their centerpieces, the gifts for the guests, and Jen even made the wedding cake. SHE MADE THE WEDDING CAKE!!

The passion and devotion that goes into such planning inspired me. I was honoured to be asked to photograph your day and to see for myself just how two beautiful people can take my hand and show me the world all over again. You both truly do live for today and I think we can all be inspired by your "zest for life", love of each other, and that somewhere over the rainbow is more that just a song but words to live by!

Congratulations!

Esther and Andrew

2011-10-24T07:07:00.000-05:00

We've often heard the famous quote........Live...Love...Laugh, well if I had to write a quote describing Esther and Andrew's wedding it would be Live...Love...Laugh....and DANCE!

We started our day just shortly after 11:30am when we met Andrew and his groomsmen at Red River College/Princess campus. By 11:45am Esther arrived with her bridesmaids. As Esther walked through the main entrance the sun caught her veil and she started to sparkle...just like in the movies.........now that was a great entrance.

One thing that I love so much about photographing a couple before their wedding ceremony is the special moment of when they get to see each other for the first time. I love the privacy and the intimacy behind this moment which is sometimes lost during a traditional setting. I loved Andrew's face when he turned around to see his bride, he just smiled his adorable smile and said "WOW". Esther lit up the room with her beautiful dress, choice of jewellery, and her exquisite bouquet made by Evangeline's Flower Hut in Steinbach, Manitoba.

When I first met the couple I noticed instantly the friendship and the humour that the two of them shared. I saw this again during our engagement session, whether it was when they decided to climb a tree, sit by the riverbank or pretend to peek at each other's blackberry. So it was no surprise that we had a few more goofy moments on the day of their wedding.

Esther and Andrew chose a fantastic group of friends for their bridal party. Some were childhood friends others they met in their adulthood, but all of them joked around with each other as if they all had been friends for years. Darlene and I couldn't resist photographing the candid moments shared amongst this crazy bunch.

Esther made such a beautiful bride. I think every bride at one point of their day feels like a "princess" but I had to laugh when her friends saw the bus stop outside of Red River and insisted that she had to pose beside it to show off the street name.........PRINCESS! They were right, whether it was with a little humour or not, Esther looked gorgeous.

Esther and Andrew are such a great couple to photograph. I love the connection and the goofiness that the two of them share. I saw this amazing quality during our engagement session so it was no surprise that the day of the wedding would bring out more moments of laughter. They bring out such joy in each other's lives that was so much fun to be a part of.

After Red River Campus we made a special trip to Victoria Hospital to visit Andrew's father who had become ill in the weeks earlier. I just want to wish Andrew's family our prayers' for your beloved father.

The wedding ceremony was held at the Christian Fellowship Church in Steinbach, Manitoba. The church was filled with candles, autumn accents and music sung perfectly by one of Esther's bridesmaids.

After the family photos at the church we headed to the school that Esther teaches at for a few more fun bridal party shots.

It wasn't until we were just about to leave that I saw a flash of gold coming from behind the school. As we walked towards the back of the building there was a gold corn field. A perfect place to end our session.

We had a beautiful day for photography. The sky was a deep blue and the leaves were still on the trees. Even though the air was cool and the wind at times........a little crazy, the entire wedding party were so wonderful to work with, Thank you!
The reception venue was held at the Brass Lantern. It looked like a Princess' ball. Colours of blue filled the room with flowers, lights, and photos of the couple.

This was the first time I had been invited to a reception with a Polish flare. For me, my maternal side is of Polish heritage so I'm always intrigued by the traditional customs that have been passed down throughout the generations. For this evening, when Esther and Andrew were introduced as husband and wife and entered the room they were greeted by Andrew's mother who presented them with a traditional Polish bread which symbolized good health and happiness.
The evening was filled with great speeches and the best part of all........THE DANCING! Darlene and I often wondered if we were at a wedding reception or a dance contest. There was so much talent in the room from ballroom to breakdancing! We left the venue with the entire dance floor filled of friends and family waiving their arms in the air to Y.M.C.A.

Thank you for such a fantastically entertaining day!

A special thank you to National Video Services for being a great team of videographers to share in our day.

Heather and Paul

2011-10-08T09:25:00.002-05:00

Ever since I was a young girl I've always loved the season of fall. I love the smells of the camp fires, the colours of the tress, the special holidays of Thanksgiving and the fun of dressing up for Halloween. I began to love it more when I started to photograph weddings. Every wedding is so different from the bride's dress to the choice of venue but also because of the season it is in.

I am always amazed at how beautiful our city is and I think we all forget to take a break in our busy lives and look around us. What I love about photography so much is how it has shown me the world through a different pair of eyes. I love to sit and watch the sun's rays sparkle across the river every spring, take a walk through our lush parks in the summer but especially photograph a wedding in the fall. During the autumn months our city is painted with colours of yellow, red, orange, and brown, and then to add in a bride and groom makes my job.....simply fantastic!

I told Heather and Paul at our first meeting that the weekend that they chose to get married is one of my FAVOURITE weekends for a wedding. It always seems to fall at a time when the weather is warm, the colours are bold and bright, and our city looks like a painting. As a wedding photographer I was thrilled to have the opportunity to capture their moments and events at such a vibrant time of the year.

Darlene and I arrived at the couple's home at 10:30am and we were welcomed with a huge hug from Heather. I loved seeing her excitement as she was about to marry her best friend. One thing I think is so unique about Paul and Heather's home is how the walls are decorated with images of landscape photography from the groom, himself.....Paul. Paul has captured the solitude, serenity, and beauty of the special places he and Heather have travelled.

As the morning passed, Heather sat with with each of her bridesmaids as they giggled while they got their make up done and sipped on their coffee.

Heather's parents also had a chance to enjoy the morning with us sharing in stories and laughter. Soon Heather, with the help of her teary-eyed friends stepped into her elegant wedding gown.

As I photographed Heather, all I could say was,"wow....your eyes are sparkling." Heather has incredible eyes and today they seemed to be smiling too.

The ceremony was held at St. Luke's Church for 1:00pm. I love photographing here as the architecture and the giant stained-glass windows offer such a romantic setting for a wedding. As Heather walked down the long aisle Paul stood at the end, beaming. The ceremony was filled with candid humour and testaments read by their loved ones.

Our first stop with the married couple was to a place called "Cake-ology" in the heart of the Exchange District. This historic building holds sentimental value to Heather as the store is owned by her sister-in-law and brother. Anyone who has savored a dessert from here knows....Heather is a lucky girl. This place is amazing and tasty.

I had so much fun working with Heather and Paul along with their hilarious wedding party. I loved the spirit, the energy and the charisma that they shared. Paul just went with flow as the guys grabbed him for a photo to show off their latest "blue steel" impression. This team of gentlemen were fun and animated but most importantly loyal friends to Paul. The timeless gift of a watch was presented to each one as a "thank you" for sharing in the role as Paul's BEST MAN.

Heather and her "MAIDS OF HONOUR" were also a ton of fun. They were sassy and sweet and the camera loved them.

Another important role that Heather plays is the role of "beloved auntie". The girls (Camryn and Claire) gushed as Auntie Heather sat next to them. She was a real princess!

Thank you to to entire wedding party for the love, humour, and priceless moments that you all brought to our day.

It is no secret that Heather and Paul share the same admiration and love for each other. I saw this remarkable trait during their engagement session as they exchanged smiles and cracked a few jokes. They have a contagious sense of humour, a genuine character and I find I can never stop smiling when I'm with them.

The elegant reception was held at the exquisite Breezy Bend Golf and Country Club. The room was decorated with autumn accents of brown, leaves, flowers, and the most decadent dessert table I've ever seen (cake-ology). Just spectacular!

One thing that I love so much about Heather and Paul is their LOVE OF FAMILY. It was touching to hear them both thank their parents and siblings (during the speeches) for the roles they each played throughout their lives contributing in their accomplishments and achievements.

Heather knows just how much Paul has wanted a Pug. As a wedding gift she granted his wish by surprising him with the sweetest Pug ever....an edible one.

After a fantastic dinner, great company, and wonderful dancing, our evening ended. Thank you Heather and Paul for being such a great couple to photograph and to be with on my favourite wedding weekend.

Another special thank you to all of the family and friends of Heather and Paul. It was a pleasure to meet you all and to the others..........to have a chance to see again.

Congratulations and Happy Thanksgiving!

Kristen and Paul

2011-10-04T07:47:00.000-05:00

We've often heard the phrase, "that's what friends are for." It can be used in so many different ways from a simple statement to a full out swagger of song.........but I was reminded of it several times throughout the wedding day of Kristen and Paul.

Darlene and I pulled up to Kristen and Paul's house shortly after 10:00am and I was shocked to see Paul standing there. He was dressed in jeans and a t-shirt and was gathering last minute items before he set off to meet up with the guys.

Hiding in the house was Kristen, her mom, and the bridesmaids. Kristen was scurrying around finishing up her last minute details from adding the finishing touches to her speech to making sure everyone had their shoes and flowers. I had to laugh.........here is the bride and groom, on their wedding day...making sure everyone else is taken care of. Wow, what an amazing couple. One of her bridesmaids even pulled me aside to show me the gorgeous scrapbook that Kristen had put together for her. She was so touched as Kristen had documented their friendship with old photographs and keepsakes. Anyone who has ever scrap booked, or attempted too-knows the hard work and TIME that goes into the creation of a memory book. Kristen designed and made one for each of her bridesmaids.........now that it love!

As the morning passed I had a chance to walk around Kristen and Paul's home, it is filled with framed pictures of all of their friends. From weekends at the cabin to tropical holidays, every photograph had a theme of "good people, great friends..............fantastic times together."
By 11:00am Kristen was ready to step into her beautiful vintage-style wedding gown. I loved this dress from the elegant neckline to the flow of the material. Kristen's hair and accessories added the finishing touch to compliment the Old Hollywood design.

When Paul arrived with his merry group of men, he too looked fabulous. I could see the smile on his face from a few doors away. It was a perfect day from the warm weather, to the bold blue sky above, but what caught our eye the most was how an airplane had flown by and put a giant "x" over top of Kristen and Paul's house. As Paul put it best............"x" marks the spot. Was this coincidence? Or someone (above the clouds) reminding Paul where his house was in case he had too many beers to celebrate?? Just kidding! It was pretty cool though.

Within moments Kristen stepped out of the house to greet her soon-to-be-husband, Paul. After hugs from all of their friends they all posed for a picture before the Party Bus arrived. This photo was a special request from the bride herself, all she wanted was a photo of her bridal party in front of their home. This was such a great idea as Paul and Kristen celebrated the beginning of their wedding day with such an important group of people.............their friends. Cheers!

Darlene and I had such a fun time travelling around with Kristen, Paul, and the wedding party. What an adventure! We started along Waterfront of the Exchange District, went to the park in Headingly, and drove through clouds of dust along the winding gravel roads that brought us to our final destination of Bridges Golf Course. We did all of this in a matter of 3 hours........along with a memorable wasp sting, and a brief fall off the bus.

By the end of the tour all parties involved were still laughing and having the time of their lives. At this time I knew how lucky I was to be a part of such a fun day with such an amazing group of friends. This was a group that truly adored Kristen and Paul and they shared in the happiness of their day.

Kristen and Paul were married just before 5:00pm in front of all of their family and friends. The ceremony was short, sweet, but filled with laughter as the couple walked down the aisle raising their arms with celebration and cheers. "We did it!"

The reception was fantastic filled with hilarious speeches, a timeless slide show, and a photo booth. We even had time to sneak out for a few moments to capture a couple of sunset photos. Any couple who has worked with me knows just how much I love a great sunset. I was thrilled when Kristen and Paul surprised me with, "hey do you want to go outside for a few more shots?" Yes!!!! the sun was just about to fall behind the trees as it caught shimmers of Kristen's dress and lit up the sky in pinks and purple. Paul stood smiling his adorable grin, they both looked wonderful!

Thank you to all of the friends and family who have brought so much joy to the lives of Kristen and Paul which made our day fun to capture the candid moments of their wedding. As we all know, friendships come and go but sometimes we find friends that last a lifetime. Kristen and Paul share their lives with such a great group of people and I can see how much they are loved. Kristen and Paul are more than a husband and wife but are each other's best friend who get to spend the rest of their lives together.

A special Thank you to Kristen and Paul........thank you for your humour, your fun and for giving me the great joy of sharing such a beautiful day with you both!

Catherine and Steven

2011-09-23T16:01:00.000-05:00

Earlier this summer my family and I moved from Winnipeg into the beautiful town of Oakbank, Manitoba. At the time, I was very excited but I didn't realize just how much I was going to fall in love with this town and the people. After photographing Catherine and Steven's wedding, my first wedding actually in Oakbank........I knew why. I spent the day with many fantastic people who united together to watch as Catherine and Steven (Cat and Steve) tied the knot. This was an incredible day.

I met Steve 16 years ago.........wow!!! Over the years he has become one of my husband's closest friend and shared in our day as we walked down the aisle only a few years ago. I was so excited when I found out that Steve had met a wonderful girl and that he was getting married. I have often referred to Steve as being so kind and such a "sweetheart" so to know that he finally found someone to share his life with, we couldn't have been happier.

Within a few months of their engagement I was asked if I was available to photograph the wedding. I was overjoyed and also extremely honoured. A wedding is so sentimental and full of memories so to be asked to capture them photographically-meant the world to me.

The moment I met Cat I felt like we had known each other for years. She is charismatic, genuine, and drop dead gorgeous! I knew instantly that Steve had found an amazing partner to share in his adventures but that I had also made a fantastic new friend.

I met Cat (along with Darlene) at the couple's home just after 10:00am. Within moments the music of Bon Jovi was being played, the make up artist arrived, and the drinks were being poured. Cat stood and watched the hustle and bustle in her living room and took a deep breath and said "Oh my............I'm getting married!" We all laughed, she reminded me of a kid at Christmas. She was so anxious, excited, nervous, and happy all in one!

After a few joyous tears shared with her sister and parents (okay me a little bit too!), Cat was dressed. She stood by her bedroom window and we all sighed............ the natural light danced across her body as her eyes sparkled........Catherine looked STUNNING!

Soon Taylor, the flower girl arrived and the rest of the bridesmaids. The morning had flown by so quickly that it was time for Darlene and I too head over to the church.

The ceremony was held at 1:00pm at St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church in Cook's Creek. I have to say that this was the best entrance I have seen so far from a bride. It was just like a movie, where the church doors open... the bride enters as the sun shines behind her.............as Cat started to walk down the aisle her nervous giggles filled the church............all you could hear was her voice saying"oooooohhhh"as her eyes met Steve who was waiting for her. It was priceless, we all shared in her laughter.

After the ceremony we joined the happy couple under a sky of bubbles as they left the church and we headed off to take family photos.

Now, a few weeks ago I was told that we were going to do a few photos at their friend, Rocky's home. They thought this would be a good spot as he had some "neat buildings and a few cars". What they didn't tell me was that I was walking into a photographer's dreamland and that I only had 2 hours to capture it! Rocky.......if you are reading this, your home is a masterpiece and I want to thank you again for giving us the opportunity to come and photograph it, I only wish I had 4 more hours...just kidding Steve. It was just an incredible place to be and I had a beautiful couple and their awesome friends to share it with.

I want to thank Cat and Steve's wedding party for being so great to work with. The fun and laughter that you each brought to the photo session had Darlene and I in stitches, we truly had a great time!

After leaving Rocky's house we ventured out to a near by field, despite the insane wind to snap a few more photos as Cat and Steve enjoyed a glass of champagne.
I'd like to say a special THANK YOU to both Cat and Steve for your friendship from the past, the present and the future. You are both such incredible people and I am so happy that you both have found your perfect someone to share the rest of your lives with.

The reception venue wasn't at a hotel or conference centre, instead it was held on the grounds of their friend, Stefan's home. His place was perfect for the party. He had a bonfire, a bar in one of the coolest barns I've ever seen, and the dinner and dancing were held under a white tent. The tent was filled with baskets of flowers, buckets of apples, and the walls were dressed in white lights. A perfect place to end such a great day.

I had so much fun meeting all of Steve and Cat's friends and family, some people came as far as England to attend the wedding. The whole day reminded me of how lucky I was to find my new home here in Oakbank and how beautiful it was to photograph.
Thanks again.

Lumina and Chris

2011-09-15T13:18:00.000-05:00

I was so happy to find out that I would be Lumina and Chris' Wedding Photographer as I had photographed both of his brother's weddings and they were all so much fun. So it was no surprise that Lumina and Chris would bring their own charisma to their day, which they did!

What a beautiful day it was. With September you never know what to expect with Mother Nature but she didn't let us down. The sun was warm and bright lighting up the colours of our city with deep greens and just a hint of the Autumn leaves coming through.

I met Lumina at the couple's home just shortly after 10:30am. We walked into their freshly painted house to see all of the girls adding the finishing touches to their hair and make-up. Smells of fresh daisies and yummy cupcakes filled the air. Lumina turned the corner as one of her favourite songs played on the stereo, within minutes the girls were singing and dancing........even the little ones. A perfect start to the day.
Soon with the help of her sister and friends, Lumina stepped into her Victorian-Style dress and stood looking radiant in the door way. As she turned around we could see the hand-made veil flowing down her back........she looked gorgeous!

Within minutes all of girls were dressed in their Lavender dresses and they all began giggling as the minutes were flying by and the ceremony was fast approaching. They were all so excited! One thing I noticed was how much Lumina loves her nieces and how much they love her. All 3 little girls (Tessa, Brooklyn and Harmony) were so happy to be a part of the wedding party but it was the admiration and love that they showed Lumina as she cuddled up next to them...they were sitting beside a real princess!

From Lumina and Chris' home, Darlene and I headed straight to the Transcona United Church which was just around the corner. Chris and his entourage showed up minutes later. Chris appeared calm as usual but it was his brothers that were full of jokes that made Chris crack up and smile his sweet smile.

The ceremony was beautiful and the church was filled with their family and friends. I forgot how pretty the church was with all of the natural sunlight coming through the stained-glass windows.
After the ceremony, the wedding party headed to the Exchange District for the formal photos. Wow, we weren't the only wedding to take advantage of this gorgeous day. I think we counted 8 other brides and their parties walking through the cozy district. I loved how Lumina and Chris waived to them all!

Lumina and Chris were so fantastic to work with. With the help of their crazy wedding party(especially the boys) we had Lumina in a tree, the guys showing off the bouquets and the girls getting cozy with Chris. Thank you to you all for the laughs, and for the fun!

On our way to the reception we stopped at one more place in the Exchange District. There were 3 other wedding parties lined up against the wall for their photos. As a photographer this is so funny to see because you don't want your pose to look anything like your neighbours so due to our time restriction I let the wedding party go "free-style". This group has talent! I had so much fun watching them climb the walls, hug each other, and pose............thank you for not falling off, you were all AWESOME!

We arrived at the reception venue just before 5:30pm where we met the rest of Lumina and Chris' family and friends for the family photos. All of the images are filled with happy people smiling and so excited for the newlyweds. As everyone was entering the venue to find their seat before dinner, I couldn't resist snapping this photo of the 4 little cuties who wanted a photo with their own ideas!

So Cute!

The hall was decorated for Royalty. It was filled with white lights, greenery, and flowers. Truly Elegant!

As with every reception, one of my favourite parts is the speeches. I love them! I love them because I get to know the couple and their families just a little bit more. I always hear a story, a poem, or watch a slide show that will bring a tear to my eye whether of joy or sadness. However, at this reception I would have both. It wasn't until a man by the name of Jan (pronounced "John") was introduced as the surprise speech. During his speech he informed all of us how he met Lumina. It wasn't the typical meeting at work, school, or a common friend, it was because he was her bone marrow donor as she was diagnosed with a rare form of Leukemia a decade ago. As I listened to his words of encouragement, love, and humour I was reminded of the strength, patience, and courage that Lumina and her family had faced only a few years earlier. I felt so lucky to hear her story and also so blessed to be a part of such a wonderful day.

Thank you to you both, Lumina and Chris for inviting me to capture all of your wonderful moments and for the friends and family of the couple.............thank you for wonderful evening!

As Darlene and I left to head home we took one last glance and saw Lumina

Fawn and Mark

2011-08-25T15:59:00.000-05:00

When I woke up on Saturday (August 20, 2011) I never realized that I would be stepping back in time. A time when words like "cell phone, the Internet, and air-conditioning" were unheard of. I think technology is a wonderful source of information but lets not forget some of our elders hold sacred keys to our past and our heritage whether in photographs, heirlooms, or the human voice.

An example of this is when I entered the homestead of the Bouskill Family. A place where Mark's ancestors settled in 1867 and built their home, raised their family, and those family's raised their family's. I remembered at my final meeting with Fawn and how excited she was for me to see this place and how beautiful it was, she was right!

We were taken on a tour down memory lane when we arrived at the new home that sits on the property and told about the Bouskill history, the Dairy Farm, and about the past and present buildings that still stand. For me, it was a photograph's paradise.
I want to say a special thank you to Mark's grandparents for inviting us into their amazing home and sharing such treasured memories with us!

We arrived at the house for 10:30am and were greeted by both Mark and his brother. Soon after we could hear the rumble through the trees of the other groomsmen as they roared down the lane. All of the guys looked great and were excited to have their photograph taken, I was shocked.............until I found out it was because Mark told them that they could get their picture taken with the guns. So we did......one of the guns was even hand-carved with such detail that we couldn't resist photographing it.

It wasn't long before the guys had to get on their way to the church as Fawn would be arriving at the house shortly.

She arrived moments later and to my huge surprise..........driving in herself. I laughed when she stepped out of the car as most brides have someone drive them but not Fawn.......she even made time to stop and pick up the newspaper for Grandpa, Jack. I can see why the Bouskill men adore her.

As Fawn stepped into her dress downstairs her bridesmaids began to arrive upstairs. Everyone looked wonderful in their dresses holding their purple purses and wearing the elegant string of pearls that Fawn gave to them as a gift.

When Fawn returned upstairs, all eyes were on her. She looked so beautiful! Her dress was absolutely stunning on her and it fit perfectly. She was breathtaking! The dress was meant to be worn by her......it was elegant, classy, sophisticated, and the style had a vintage flare-perfect for the theme of the day.

Fawn and Mark chose to get married in another historic site known as the All Saints Victoria Church. This church was erected in 1877 and is nestled in amongst the trees off of Highway #7. The church has very limited seating so only a few members of Fawn and Mark's close friends and family were able to attend.

Fawn and Mark exchanged their vows and rings under the vibrant stained-glass window that stands above the altar. The crowd watched with tears of joy until Fawn said (with the cutest smirk on her face),
"So Mark.......are you gonna Marry me or what?" The crowd burst out in laughter! The perfect punch line was so fitting for the couple. The popular phrase was behind the choice of their wedding song to which they danced too later in the evening. (Are you gonna kiss me on not?)

After the ceremony we headed back to the Bouskill Farm where we had a wonderful time photographing the wedding party with the old farm buildings and the GMC trucks. Thank you to everyone for being so great to work with.

Throughout the day I was often told of how shy Fawn and Mark were..........I never would have known. Both Fawn and Mark were full of ideas for photos whether it was taking their pictures in the Alfalfa fields, in an old building, or with a classy car. Darlene and I could have photographed them forever but we soon realized that the reception was about to begin and they must be starving. If they were, they never complained.

The reception was held at the Balmoral Memorial Centre and was decorated with colours of deep purple, black and white. The exquisite cake was made by Carla Peters and was the perfect accent piece to the room.

All of the family and friends told fantastic jokes and stories during the speeches, my own eyes were tearing with laughter.
At this time, Fawn and Mark snuck out for one more photo session. The sunset! We found the only field that hadn't been cut and Fawn walked through it like a trooper. I loved it!

Thank you to all of Fawn and Mark's family and friends for making this day so wonderful to be a part of and to Mark's grandparents for reminding me of how many beautiful things there are in our "own backyard" whether through stories, old photos, or a cherished homestead.

To Mark and Fawn, both of you are amazing people full of spirit, kindness and beauty. It was an honour to be asked to capture your wedding moments.
Congratulations!

Jennifer and Bill

2011-08-20T00:48:00.000-05:00

I can't believe I have known Jen for almost 10 years. We both share a love of animals, Tim Horton's coffee, and yes...........the need to watch "Vampire Diaries".

I was so excited when Jennifer asked me to be her wedding photographer. Over the years we've often talked about our ideas of "what our wedding day would be like." I knew that she would be sharing this day with her friends and family and she would want everything to be perfect, and it was.

Darlene and I arrived at the home of Bill's parents. We were welcomed by their adorable dog, or small dark horse, known as Darth. I am a huge Star Wars fan so I just thought this name was awesome! Jen arrived shortly with her sister, Cathy, who helped her with all of the last minute touch ups before Bill arrived.

Bill and their adorable 5 year old son, Devin arrived looking stunning in their matching tuxedos. One of my favourite moments of the day was when Devin came in to the room where Jen was getting ready. She was wearing her tiara and fixing her hair. Devin stood staring at her with the biggest smile on his face, his face spoke the words that everyone was thinking...........his mommy looked absolutely beautiful.

To be funny I said to him, "so Devin, does your mom where that tiara every day?"

He just looked at me a little puzzled and replied;

"no.................not EVERY day!

It was so cute!

When it was time for Jen and Bill to officially see each other, we had Bill and Devin wait outside. Jen came out smiling and was greeted with a big kiss from Bill as Devin rushed to carry her dress behind her. He looked so proud, he was going to make a fine ring bearer.

Our first stop was to meet up with the rest of the wedding party at Harbour View. It was so hot that when we pulled up we saw the bridesmaids waiting in the car and could hear the sounds of music and air-conditioning. I was thrilled to see standing in the blazing sun............A Harley Davidson Motorcycle. This photo shoot was going to be fun. I know how much both Jen and Bill love the Harley enterprise, in fact Jen's dog used to sport a pretty fancy HD pet collar.

Our next session took place at the Terracon grounds. As the weather grew warmer and warmer it was nice to be around a cool fountain and a few shady trees. I was thankful that no one decided to go for a quick swim....only the geese did.

I had such a great time meeting Jen and Bill's wedding party. It was great to catch up with my old friends and to share in the laughter amongst Bill's groomsmen. Despite the heat, everyone was still smiling and so great to work with. Thank You!

Soon it was time for this couple to officially "tie-the-knot". Their ceremony and reception were held

at the Transcona Country Club where I feel most of us who attended would agree, that was one of the most entertaining wedding ceremony's that I have ever seen. As the couple shared their vows they also shared in jokes and bursts of laughter from the crowd.

The warm evening ended in a wonderful dinner, Bill wearing Jen's tiara, and constant entertainment from an never-ending supply of dancers made up of men, children, and even the bride herself.

I want to thank Jen and Bill for inviting me to share in their wonderful and momentous day. It was so much fun catching up with old friends and meeting Jen and Bill's family.

I wish you both the very best and I hope you have a wonderful trip out to BC.

Congratulations!

Melissa and Michael

2011-07-20T00:29:00.000-05:00

Wow.........anyone who was outside on Saturday knows that it was one of the hottest days of the year. It was +32 degrees out in the blazing sun, and the day of Melissa and Michael's wedding.

Darlene, my assistant, and I arrived in sunny Teulon, Manitoba shortly after 11:00am. We were welcomed at Melissa and Michael's beautiful and air-conditioned home by Melissa, her mom, and her bridesmaids who were getting the finishing touches of hair and make up.

Melissa reminded me of a kid at Christmas because she was beaming with excitement not only because she was the bride and getting married but she kept gushing at how everyone looked so beautiful. It was obvious of how proud she was to have these girls sharing in her day.

I met with Melissa earlier in the week to go over our schedule and all of her last minute details. I was delighted to see that she brought her parents wedding albums (still in the original boxes) for me to see of how she wanted to replicate a few of the photos that her parents had done. I could see in her eyes how much she loved the photos but how strong her sense of family, love, and tradition meant to her.
While I stood in her kitchen and looked around I was reminded about those traits as her family and friends watched as she stepped into her dress, her mom's eyes filled with tears of joy and her dad gave her the biggest hug in the world.

Live well.....Laugh often......Love much....... are the words that hang on the wall of her home and it suited these moments perfectly.
Just after 1:00pm we headed to where Michael was getting ready. As we drove up the driveway at his friends house we saw all of the guys dressed in their tuxedo's decorating their masculine trucks with green flowers and white balloons..........sweating like crazy. The day seemed to be getting warmer by the minute.

The ceremony was held on the 5th hole at the picturesque Teulon Golf and Country Club for 2:00pm. The site looked beautiful with it's green grass, blue sparkling water, and white chairs for the guests to sit on. The only problem was........there were no guests sitting in the chairs they were all sharing the shade and drinking bottled water, it was just so hot!

Within minutes Melissa arrived sitting in a sporty red golf cart and was escorted down the aisle by her parents.
The ceremony was filled with moments of laughter and tears, along with a sand ceremony representing their individual lives uniting together.

Over the next few hours Darlene and I, along with the videographers, were taken on the photography adventure of our lives. We were told to "hop in" into the back of a pick up truck and taken through fields of tall grass, past the hunting tree stand and through a cow pasture. Our first stop was to the beautiful pond that is nestled on Melissa and Michael's property. It was gorgeous until we realized that the field was filled with biting red ants. Ouch!

During this wedding season I have often commented on how wonderful the wedding parties have been especially during this very hot and humid weather. However; this particular wedding party has officially topped the list of survivors. Not only did the girls lay in a field of biting ants, the guys stood dressed to the nines in the blazing sun, but the entire party walked through the never-ending holes of a cow pasture, over a rocky ridge just so Melissa and Michael could have a jumping picture. Now, that to me defines the true meaning of friendship!

Our evening ended with an amazing dinner and reception held at the Teulon Rockwood Centennial Centre. I had such a great time sharing in the laughter of the speeches, the shoe game, and Melissa and Michael's thank you speech. I especially loved the fact that Melissa's dad had his gun there. I would have never guessed that the beautiful girl that I had photographed all day was one of the best hunter and fisherman's of the group! Definitely her father's daughter!

In all kidding aside, both Darlene and I had such a wonderful time photographing Melissa and Michael and all of their family and friends. We also enjoyed meeting a wonderful pair of sisters who are Melanie Warren and Mireille Stewart of MNM Videography (www.mnmvideography.com). You were both awesome to work with and we truly enjoyed sharing the back of a pick up with you!

Thank you Melissa and Michael for all of your love, energy, and charisma...........and hanging in there during the heat.

Enjoy Hawaii!

Congratulations.

Krystal and Jonathan

2011-07-13T08:26:00.000-05:00

"All You Need is Love" was the theme of the day.....but knowing Krystal and Jonathan, it is more than just a famous Beatles song, it is the new title of their journey together as husband and wife.

I met Krystal at her childhood home just after 11am and I was welcomed by Mrs. Walker and all of Krystal's bridesmaids. It was a typical morning at a bride's house, the dresses were hanging, the curling irons were on, and the orange juice was poured. Krystal stood in front of me, dressed in jeans, a plaid shirt, make up done, wearing her veil and smiling from ear to ear. She looked so happy.
Within minutes she was dressed and ready to go, I've never met a bride yet who got dressed so fast.

Krystal looked radiant in her dress.........it fit her perfectly. One of my favourite moments of the day was when Krystal's father referred to her as "his diamond", now that I'm looking back at the photos I can see why that's her nickname. She looked exquisite and every detail was perfect, just like a diamond.

The ceremony was held at St. Michael's Church in River Heights for 2:00pm. It was a beautiful service held in front of family and friends. One of my favourite parts was listening to the vows that Krystal and Jonathan had wrote to each other. Even though their voices spoke quietly you could still see the expression of love and commitment that they feel for each other all over their faces.

Jonathan has a large amount of family and friends from New York City which explains the inspiration behind his formal attire. I loved the nostalgia and class from the hat to the "cane"....whoops...... I mean walking stick (Just kidding). These guys were hilarious, they each took every opportunity they could to ham it up for the camera whether they were trying to make Jonathan...aka"Murph" laugh, or they wanted to use their walking sticks as a baseball bat. These guys were more than friends, cousins and fraternity brothers..........they were partners in crime, childhood confidants which have formed a strong bond that has stood the test of time.

By 3:30pm the hot and humid weather was at it's peak so we decided to find a shady spot in the exchange district to stay cool. My assistant, Natasha, and I had so much fun photographing the wedding party as they cracked jokes, shared stories, and teased Jonathan about cooling him off in the river.

Krystal and Jonathan were "AWESOME" to work with. I love the way their individual styles compliment each other. Jonathan brought charisma, humour, with a New York twist, which made Krystal laugh and show her beautiful smile. Krystal's grace and elegance was the perfect touch to making them such a wonderful pair to photograph.

Our evening ended with a fantastic dinner held at the Can-Ad Inns Fort Garry. The room was decorated beautifully and each table was named after a Beatles song. I loved it. What a great idea! We were entertained all evening by guests singing fragments of the hit songs to get Krystal and Jonathan to kiss.

My last and another favourite moment was watching Krystal and Jonathan dance for the first time as husband and wife. As they danced across the floor they sung the words of their wedding song to each other which was none other than, "All You Need is Love".

Thank you to Krystal and Jonathan and all of your family and friends who made this day so wonderful to be a part of.

On another note, thank you to all of the New Yorker's who I had a chance to chat with your accents were a treat to listen too and you have just inspired me to visit your fine city.

All the best and congrats again to Krystal and Jonathan!

Andrea and Kieran

2011-06-27T23:12:00.000-05:00

I knew the moment that I met Andrea that she was a bride that I wanted to photograph! Andrea is not only beautiful but she has a charisma and energy about her that makes you just want to be her friend! I couldn't help but laugh with her at our final meeting because I could feel her excitement as we talked about her upcoming wedding to Kieran and now the day had arrived.

I was to meet Andrea and her bridesmaids at 12:15pm at the brand new Southwood Golf and Country Club. I was very excited as this was my first time at this venue and Andrea had been raving about it for months. I wanted to arrive early to see the grounds, ceremony site, and other possible photo opportunities. As I drove in front of the building, there stood Andrea wearing cut-off jean shorts, her long blonde hair blowing in the wind, wearing the cutest hot pink shoes, and waving "hi!" I thought I had just walked into a music video or something. First of all she was beaming but she looked radiant and she didn't even have her make up done yet.

Within the hour, the girls arrived and Andrea was dressed and ready to go. Everyone looked gorgeous!

The girls decided to walk next door to the Monastery Ruins in their high-heeled shoes and sheer brown dresses. All you could hear was the sound of the heels digging into the ground and tons of laughter.

The girls were so wonderful to work with, not only were they all beautiful but you could see the love that they felt towards Andrea. From her best friend, to her sister, to her cousins, each one was a cherished piece of Andrea's day-especially her sweet little niece who's admiration for her auntie was adorable!

Soon after our "girls only" photo shoot we were surprised to see a pack of handsome men strolling down the hill, yes.............Kieran and his entourage had arrived..........and they were early! It was a wonderful surprise as I usually like to be ready to capture the moment when the groom first lays eyes on his bride, but this moment was endless. Kieran walked down the hill with the most perfect smile a girl could ask for. He looked fantastic dressed in his tuxedo but it was the way he looked at Andrea that took our breath away.

Kieran and his groomsmen were so much fun to photograph because one minute they were silent and serious and then the next they were rolling with laughter. Most of their jokes were pointed towards Kieran as they teased him about having to smile, but it was so great to see the strong friendship that they each shared.

I want to thank the entire wedding party for being so much fun and for being such a dream to work with.

I couldn't believe how fast the time flew by and that it was time for us to make the walk back to the country club for the ceremony to begin. I must say that Chantal and the rest of the staff at the Southwood Golf and Country Club did such an amazing job setting up both the ceremony and reception sites. Truly Spectacular!

It was a perfect setting for a wedding-a picturesque river view, blue skies, and the friends and families of Andrea and Kieran.

After the ceremony, guests were treated with drinks on the patio and the finest candy bar that I have seen so far. The reception was decorated with a theme of elegance and fun, from flowers, to lights and the wonderful music being played in the distance from "Top Dog Entertainment".

The evening ended after a delicious dinner while we were entertained by the fantastic speeches given by friends and family.

Congratulations Andrea and Kieran! Both Darlene and I had such a great time photographing you along with your bridal party, friends and families.

Bernadeta and Jonathan

2011-06-21T08:49:00.000-05:00

I met Bernadette over 10 years ago when she had first applied and got accepted into Veterinary Medicine. We kept in touch through mutual friends as the years passed, but we always had so much fun chatting it up every chance we had when we would see each other face to face. Otherwise known to many as Bernie, Bernadette is a beautiful kind-hearted friend who is compassionate and pays the closest attention to detail. I was so honoured to be asked to photograph her wedding as I knew it would be a day full of beauty, affection but most of all, exquisite detail.

Darlene and I arrived at the home of Bernadette and Jon just after 10am. Their adorable house sits nestled on a quiet street in Fraser's Grove, almost like Snow White's cottage, I think I could here the birds singing as we got out of our car. We were greeted by Jon's proud mom who let us in while Bernadette arrived shortly. She stepped out of the car along with Jon's daughter, Jenna. They both walked up the walk smiling and bursting with excitement.

Bernadette selected a dress that was definitely a reflection of her own character. It was a timeless classic, simple and elegant, with a hint of charisma and spark. She also wore exquisite accessories from a true antique bracelet, a vintage style hand bag, to the sparkling earrings that were a gift from Jon that will become a new family heirloom in the years to follow.

Soon it was time for Darlene and I to head to St.Ignatius Church to meet up with Jon and his groomsmen. For a day that was fore casted to rain, it turned out fantastic. The church was surrounded with blue skies and sunshine.

The ceremony was filled with laughter and tears of joy as Jon and Bernadette exchanged their vows in front of their family and friends. I forget how beautiful the church is with it's high ceilings, domed architecture but my favourite part is the stained glass windows. On this particular day the sun was shining through the windows lighting up the church with a golden glow.

After the ceremony, Bernadette and Jon were driven away by Bernadette's brother, Tom, in an awesome red mustang!
Due to the heat and humidity, we photographed the families in the shade at the Legislative grounds and then we headed to the exchange district for photographs with the wedding party.

I have to say thank you to the wedding party. I know it was hot, especially in those suits but it was so wonderful to work with you all. Despite the heat, there were no complaints, just smiles, jokes, and laughter! It was so nice for the girls to share their fancy pink umbrella's with the guys, I didn't realize how good pink looks on Jon!

I met Jon late in the fall last year when I photographed the engagement session. One of the first things that I noticed about him was the love he had for the women in his life! Yes.........women! Jon is not only charismatic, fun, smart, and yes......good-looking, but his compassion for Bernadette is timeless along with the affection he feels for his daughter, Jenna. His face lights up with pride as he talks about his daughter and her accomplishments but also for his new wife and their upcoming adventures in life.
I felt so lucky to have the opportunity to capture these moments as your new family is united.

We ended our evening at the reception which was held at Elmhurst Golf and Country Club. The room was decorated with a vintage-theme along with the places that Jon and Bernadette have travelled together. It was beautiful.
After a delicious dinner, fun-filled speeches and laughter we headed outside for a few sunset photos. At this time Jon and Bernadette exchanged jokes with each other, kisses, and even an occassional skip down the lane.

Thank you again for allowing myself and Darlene to capture the wonderful moments of your wedding day, we truly had a wonderful time.

Congratulations!!!

Kris and Jen's Wedding

2011-06-01T10:01:00.000-05:00

I met Jen at her house in the late morning on Saturday May 28, 2011. The weather forecast was calling for rain, wind, and gloom, not the kind of thing you want to hear when you are the bride of a wedding. My assistant Darlene and I entered Jen's house to hear sounds of laughter, smells of burning candles and saw Jen standing there in her adorable pyjamas enjoying a glass of champagne, and the biggest smile on her face. I don't think a tornado could have wiped her smile away. She looked radiant and she hadn't even stepped into her dress yet.
Jen's mom and her best friends surrounded her with hugs and tears and she stepped into her gorgeous gown. She was dressed like Cinderella with the poise and grace of the finest royalty.

The ceremony was held at the beautiful Niakwa Country Club. The couple was surrounded by many of their friends and family as the sounds of thunder whispered in the distance along with crackles and pops of golf balls in the air.

After the ceremony the wedding party stepped aboard their black party bus. Darlene and I had the privilege of following the crazy bus. We could see the waves from the wedding party as they swayed their hands outside of the windows, we caught Jen and Kris sharing a few private kisses in the backseat but the best part was when a certain groomsmen gave us a nice old fashioned "moon" out the back window. Yep, you could only laugh!

We headed straight to the Red River Princess location but the blazing sun caused the rooms to be very hot, so after a short session we headed outside. I want to thank Jen and Kris along with their wedding party as they were all sweating and hot, but smiled and joked despite the heat and never complained.

We ended our photography session by travelling to the old docks down by the Red River. The clouds began to roll in and as the wind increased, the thunder cracked and by the time we had finished the rain started to come down. Phew.......we made it.

The reception was held at the Niakwa Country Club and was beautifully decorated with lights but inspired with Jen's designs of trees and nature. Kris made a gorgeous stand which held dozens of sweet-smelling cupcakes. Darlene and I enjoyed a delicious dinner, watched a wonderful slide show, but the best part of all......the speeches. I haven't laughed out loud so much during a reception before. Kris and Jen are one of the most charismatic and entertaining couple that I have met so far, but now I can see where they get it from. Their families are also just as crazy. It was so great to be a part of such a wonderful party.

Thank you to Jen and Kris for inviting us to capture your special moments and to the wedding party, family, and friends......it was an incredible event!

Royal Dance Conservatory

2011-05-13T14:19:00.000-05:00

As a young child, like many other girls I took dancing lessons and loved it. I loved to wear the costumes and watch them sparkle in the lights as I twirled around and dreamed one day of becoming a ballerina. Like many others my dreams changed and I grew up to become passionate about photography. Over the past few years I have had the great opportunity of photographing for the Royal Dance Conservatory and meeting Jill and Kevin Demianiw along with their daughter, Whiney and the rest of the wonderful staff at RDC.

On Saturday May 7, 2011 I met Jill along with a group of fabulous dancers from the RDC Competitive Division to do a photo shoot. I wanted to try something a little different and explore my creativity but keeping the artistic design focused on the dancer. This group of ladies were not only beautiful, talented, and charismatic but they each brought a sense of their own individuality to every frame and it was such a wonderful experience even though between takes they shivered due to the rain and cold.
A special thank you to all of the dancers, Whitney, Taryn, Julia, Karlee, Mackenzie, Shannon, Nicole and Kristin.

I would also like to thank all of the parents who came out to cheer us on as the girls danced between the raindrops and to my assistant Darlene for helping with the lights.
This project couldn't have been possible without the help, support, and creative mind of Jill, you are a photographer's dream with your amazing talent to incorporate elegant design, movement, and poise in your Art Direction.

Enjoy the photos, I truly had a wonderful time!

Aline and Paul

2011-03-07T07:55:00.000-06:00

There is nothing like photographing a wedding in Winnipeg, especially in the winter. The sky was blue, the snow was sparkling, and the windchill............a chilly -40 degrees. This was going to be fun.....and it was!

It was just after 11am where I met the girls at Aline and Paul's house. We walked in the door to find the bridesmaids helping each other with their hair and make up, family members sharing stories in the living room, and Aline standing in the doorway, calm as can be. She looked beautiful and so happy. The sounds of french laughter filled the room and everyone was bursting with excitement, especially Aline and Paul's adorable daughter, Tessa. Tessa was so excited to help her mommy tie up her dress, and put on her jewelry.

From there we headed off to meet Paul and the groomsmen at Red River Campus. Aline and Paul's bridal party consisted of family and friends who were all so great to work with. We had such a great time photographing them in various locations inside the building.

We were all having a wonderful time, sharing in jokes, until I mentioned that our next stop was to head outdoors. I don't know if we all realized just how cold it was until we took a step outside and a huge, cold gust of wind greeted us in the face. Wow...pretty chilly, especially for the girls who only had a shawl to cover up. I have to say though....good job guys, you all did great and I cannot thank everyone enough for being such amazing troopers and smiling through the chattering teeth.

At this time we decided to head out to the ceremony/reception venue, Larter's Golf Course early.
Moments after we arrived we were soon joined by Tessa and other family members. Tessa looked so adorable dressed in her winter white outfit made especially for her for the wedding by Paul's mother.

As the early evening approached, my assistant, Natasha and I had the pleasure of photographing the ceremony, followed by a hilarious family photo shoot. The families of Aline and Paul showered the couple all evening long with hugs, kisses, and jokes.......but nothing was more perfect than when little Tessa jumped up on her parents lap to give her own kisses and to whisper words of "I love you!".

We ended our evening with a delicious dinner followed by great music and dance.
Thank you to all of the friends and family of Aline and Paul's who helped make the wedding truly beautiful. A special thank you to Aline and Paul, you are both such wonderful and compassionate people but most of all you are amazing and loving parents. It was an honour to capture the special moments of your wedding day.
Enjoy the photos!
Jocelyne

Jen and Logan

2011-03-04T10:15:00.001-06:00

February 26, 2011, what a perfect day to get married.....the sun was shining, the snow was sparkling but.........WOW was it cold outside! That didn't stop this awesome couple from smiling through the chills and making the very best of the entire day.

I met Jen and Logan last year and I fell in love with them instantly. Besides being the beautiful people that we all know, they are fun, energetic, caring, charismatic, but best of all for me.........they are crazy!! I love it.

We had a wonderful engagement session where they lay in the grass, with just a few mosquitoes, climbed up a tree, and then we ended it by having Jen and Logan submerge themselves, waist-deep in the water........without any complaints. Jen and Logan are a photographer's dream.

As the months passed and the wedding day came closer I was amazed to see just how much time and effort these two, along with many of their friends and family, put into organizing and designing their wedding.

Jen's creativity along with Logan's strength designed some of the most beautiful centrepieces, presentation box, and decorative accents that I've ever seen.

Despite the cold, and nasty windchill, this fantastic couple smiled through the chattering teeth and shared in the laughter with their amazing wedding party.

Thank you to all of the friends and family for an amazing experience and to Darlene and Terine who captured such beautiful images.

Congratulations Jen and Logan and thank you again for your love, grace, and spirit.........you are an amazing couple, craziness and all!

Enjoy the photos!