Part 2 of Emmanuel and Carmen's Wedding Extravaganza!

This  day was in Edmonton  and it included SO many loved ones and people that were very special to these two. Can I be honest here for a second? I have never seen a couple honour such a large crowd like this before so well. They intentionally went around to speak to everyone, wanted group photos of all of their guests and  gave them one heck of a party to remember. I was VERY impressed. 

I would love to point out a few notable moments that stood out to me:

1.  The frequent cheering during the ceremony was so refreshing!
2.  The inclusion of all 4 parents was so sweet and truly honouring. They all walked their child down the aisle and got a turn to dance with them at the reception.  Cue the tears..
3.  The ENTIRE wedding party dancing down the aisle.
4.  The downpour during our bridal party portrait sessions.
5. Emmanuel's cousin's killer pipes during the dance. That girl can SING!
6. The frequent outfit changes, including C+E during the reception.
7.   The sparklers and fireworks post reception festivities.
8.  The decorate your own cupcake station.. You know this girl loves the sweets.
9.  The fact that it was also Carmen's birthday. Emmanuel, you have no excuse to forget your anniversary.
10. The most hopping dance floor I have ever been apart of.

If you read the previous post,  you may already know this but I can say that being a part of Carmen and  Emmanuel's day(s) was a celebration to remember for me.  The rainbow of colours, the dancing, the  unrestrained celebration  were such pictures of freedom to me. It was an experience I will not soon forget. 

Details:
Ceremony: Strathcona Baptist Church, Edmonton, AB
Reception Hall: Moyer Hall, Josephsburg, AB

Wow. I am just so grateful to have had the chance to be a part of this amazing day. I have NEVER been to something where people really knew how to celebrate. Truly.

Carmen and Emmanuel's traditional Nigerian wedding ceremony took place in Calgary last August. There was a lot of elements that I have not experienced and so I am sure many of the people watching will not have either, so here is a quick recap!

First, the brides family waits for the groom's family to show. In this case, we had some extra time together as the bus coming from Edmonton with Emmanuel's family was a little late!  Then once the groom's family arrives, the bride hides inside with her bridesmaids. There are introductions, gifts and blessings exchanged between the extended families and then the immediate families gather inside with the bride and groom. Here is where there are more gifts, blessings exchanged and the parent' s give their blessing for the couple to be married.  This was a beautiful, personal moment that really was so unique and honouring. Next, the groom comes out dancing with his groomsmen and hides in the crowd. The bride comes out and has to find him! After  the two have found one another, they are further blessed by their parents publicly and the party can officially begin! Although, let's be honest, it started at the beginning of the festivities. 

So, while you scroll you will recognize these moments throughout the day!  And just imagine me dancing and smiling like an idiot and maybe crying behind the camera. Because, trust me I was.

Melanie and Jordan's Canmore wedding was a highlight of my summer last summer. No joke, I don't know if you could find two people more in love... If you can't tell by this posts many photos of "googly" eyes, I would be shocked.  From their emotional first look to their vows said alone to their beautiful first dance, the evidence of their love (in this post alone) is vast. 

Their mountain wedding was on the last day of July, 2018 and was filled with family and friends who had come near and far to celebrate their love.  To be honest, it could have been mostly Jordan's large family taking up most of the crowd, it was hard to keep track! Ha!   They had their day coordinated by the lovely people over at Cornerstone Theatre  who did a fabulous job.  Melanie and Jordan's ceremony had a mountainous backdrop and their reception was at the theatre which was a beautiful venue, fitted for such an occasion with  perfect lighting and scrumptious food (one of the best parts of this job is the reception meals, let's be honest).

I am still on cloud nine with this gallery and I am so excited to share it with you. Enjoy, share and be in awe with me ok? Congratulations again, my friends, I am rooting for you!

Venue and Coordination: Cornerstone Theatre
Dress: Vera Wang

Leah and Dan were married on a beautiful day in July last year at the gorgeous Hotel Fairmont MacDonald in Edmonton Alberta.  This day was everything you would expect from Leah and Dan: a true celebration of love with only the closest family members in attendance.  I was lucky to be the only non-family member there!

A few moments that really stand out to me about their day was their first look, the ceremony, and Dan's speech that he wrote for Leah. The first look was so special and such a sweet way to begin the festivities with lots of giggles and admiration of one another just quietly pouring out. The ceremony was simple but beautiful, truly celebrating their history and love for one another. And finally, Dan's speech of true devotion for Leah  took her by surprise! (Check out each moment in throughout the entire blog post). It was the perfect way to end the day.

The common thread between all of these moments is the quiet love they share. They are not over-the-top sort of people but rather  they have allowed each other to be completely themselves in one another's presence.  That is a gift that you can not manufacture, it is just organically created over time, respect and devotion.

Congratulations again Leah and Dan! I am so thankful you included me on your special day!

There are so many things about this wedding that  give me all the feels.

First off, I have known Sharon for a long time. We have known one another since all the way back to Sexsmith Elementary School, where she was a grade older than I was. So, it was a pleasure to first be invited back into her life as she was set to marry her sweetheart, Nathan. 

Second, they got married at the same church that my Grandma attended and that my Dad grew up in, so that was really special to me! I haven't been there  for some time since my Grandma passed away, so to visit her place of worship was such a reminiscent experience for me. 

Third,  when Sharon's florist knew that the weather was not going to be all that pleasant, she offered her home. She definitely upped the bar for any florist I will continue to work with.   So, here is a plug for her: Go check out  her designs on Facebook! Not only is Christa kind but she is talented!  Also, her house is gorgeous so don't forget to scroll down to see her Tuscan dream home in Grande Prairie of all places...

Fourth, I just love all of the little 'isms that are Sharon and Nathan. Seriously, as you scroll through see all the looks they give one another . I promise they are just as sweet and adorable in person.  Not to mention that their wedding was full of personal touches honouring BOTH of them which I love!

Fifth and finally, what other wedding do you know that has a semi truck as the transportation for the couple? The groom's friends gave him this awesome surprise right after their ceremony. So much fun!

Church: Faith Lutheran Church
Reception Venue: Grande Prairie Lions Club
Florist: The Enchanting Bouquet

 Sam and Dale were married last September in Edmonton on a beautiful fall day. The leaves were just starting to turn, the weather started out a little drizzly but  eventually, the sun did come out and we got perfect photography conditions. I couldn't ask for more. 

When I first met Sam, I had no idea that she  would be one of my  biggest cheerleaders. Literally,   she has been cheering me on in every Facebook group and through so many of our conversations, whether it be through text or in person I have always walked away feeling so fuelled with confidence! That means so much to me as a professional and has been such an encouragement in this last year. 

I also didn't realize that she would have such an eye for detail. The day was perfectly planned and there were so many gorgeous details. The florals, the dress, the venue. All were exquisite.  What I also loved is that through the whole day, she honoured Dale and his love (putting it lightly) of golf right down to the golf tees in the men's boutonnieres.   Both of them were  reflected so well throughout the day.

Lastly, I have to  encourage you to head to the bottom of the post and see the sunset photos that ALMOST didn't happen and we are so glad to see that they did!  I will never discourage sunset photos EVER. They are now an essential to any wedding day!

So, please enjoy this gorgeous wedding and send Sam and Dale some love!  

Ceremony Venue - Fairmont Hotel MacDonald
Bridal Gown - David's Bridal
​Make-Up -  Blush 
Hair Styling - Roxx Salon and Spa
Reception Venue -  The Glendale Golf Club
Bridal Bouquet's -   Coral's Design 
Reception Florals -  Charmed Floral  

Adventure photographers. I get it. I finally get it. 

I had the pleasure of taking these two out into the mountains just outside of Canmore, Alberta the day before their wedding for a little pre-wedding session. The light and conditions could not be more perfect. Not to mention they definitely had some pre-wedding anticipation chemistry going on. Wowza. I am in LOVE with these images. Thank you to Melanie and Jordan for being so awesome in making this happen (Oh and stay tuned for their wedding images in a blog coming soon. It was a STUNNING day).

Laura and Nolan's Edmonton wedding day was perfectly their own. Here is why:

1. No kissing for clinking glasses or anything because they just didn't want to.
2. Yard games for guests to play between ceremony and reception.
3. 10 minutes for their own portraits because they would rather have time together and with their guests. 
4. No cake cutting but a gorgeous cake.
5. Tropical button-ups for the ladies getting ready. I mean, check them out below. So stinking cute.
6. Practical jokes in between speeches because, yes, it was hilarious.
7. A perfect mixture of modern and vintage.

Bonus: They are gorgeous humans. But that is obvious.

Honestly, I knew this day was going to be great and beautiful but I left with the biggest grin on my face. I won't say too much more as you will see why throughout the photos. But if you NEED to know for planning your wedding, then check out the vendors below:

Venue: Whitemud Creek Community Centre
Hair and Make-up: Blushed Beaute
Dress: BHLDN 
Caterer (Wow, the food was DELICIOUS): Stir Catering
Florals: Bunches
Second Shooter: Photography by Vanessa

Loved Laura and Nolan's wedding photos? Check out their engagement shoot here!

Looking for wedding photography, click here.

Miya and Christopher's wedding day was so adorably wonderful and beautiful. Not to mention when the couple takes you to a scrumptious Chinese food feast for the reception, they make the top of your list. 

Miya and Christopher had a beautiful ceremony at the Fellowship Baptist Church followed by a reception at the Lingnan (which was my greatest lighting challenge to date. Hello no windows and dark red walls). In contrast, it was **supposed to rain that day so we had our photos inside The Shaw Conference centre. If you have not been in there with a photographer's eye, you are missing out! Look for all of the details in the architecture  and the mass amounts of natural light. PURE GOLD. We also hit up the patio outside where there is a lovely view of the river valley and the city. 

What I loved most about their wedding (besides that they are an incredible couple) is that there were continual testimonies of God's grace in their lives and in the lives of their families. I am so honoured to have listened to their stories and to hear the love they had for Jesus, which is of course close to my heart. 

Congratulations Miya and Christopher! You guys are so beyond kind and generous. I loved getting to know you and I can't wait to see where God is going to lead you my friends!

Vendors:
Ceremony Venue: Fellowship Baptist Church 
Portrait Venue: The Shaw Conference Centre 
Reception Venue: The Lingnan
Cake and Cupcakes: Sugar and Spiced

Miya and Chris's Engagement Photos: Click here

February 10, 2018:
Jaira and Josiah are one of those couples that really make your heart melt. The glances, the smiles, the canoodling (do people still say that?). Honestly, the outward expression of love between them is a photographer's dream. Their love is so sweet and refreshing, and gives life to those around them. 

It really was a beautiful wedding day for Jaira and Josiah. The ceremony was so lovely with touching scriptures and lots of family involvement (which I am a total sucker for). Their reception was full of meaningful, personal touches and the result of a lot of hard work. They even had a tree brought in to be placed in the middle of their reception hall with lights streaming from it on all sides. It was quite spectacular! Not to mention their epic dance moves with their parents (so fun!). They were also shown an orchestra of love from friends and family with a surprise serenade from Jaira's father and a surprise pinata!

Vendors:
Church: Beaumont Community Church
Reception Hall: Beaumont Community Hall
Cake: The Duchess Bake Shop
Portrait Location: The Mosaic Centre