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).