Jeff and Beyond are really a rather stunningly gorgeous couple, I’m sure you’ll agree!

If the mountain of work here on my office desk and computer desktop didn’t so closely resemble the mountain of snow that Eric just made after scraping our driveway this evening, I’d dive right in, edit these and share them with you.  As is, however, I’ve got to knuckle down and get some serious work done first…but I’m so looking forward to sharing more of this beautiful wedding day soon!

Cheers!

Shooting the bridal couple and party is my absolute favorite part of the day. 

Because I’m not that familiar with Lethbridge and it’s surrounding area, I had to rely on Arielle and her family to pick all the locations for me…and I have to say I was rather impressed. ;) 

Our first stop, after lunch at my aunt and uncle’s, was the old fire hall in town where we clambered up to the roof for some pictures with the bell tower.  Speaking of which…I had a bit of scare in there.  I opened the door, wanting to see how it looked inside, leaned over a little rickety wooden railing as far as I could, while looking up to see the bell…then, still leaning way over the railing, I looked down – only to find myself hanging precariously over a 4 story drop alllll the way down a narrow shaft.  Wheph.  That made me a little weak in the knees! :}

So glad the sun came out to play.

The next stop was the Galt Museum, where the reception was held in the evening.

Joseph’s family formals on the edge of the coulee. |  Arielle showing off her yellow shoes.  The shoes that everyone at church in Michigan noticed…and referred to her by.  Talk of the town was “Joseph’s going out with a girl from Ontario…the one with the yellow shoes!” ;) |  kisses and bling | a tough tycoon and his gang ;) | a glass of wine…a few minutes to relax before heading off to church.

Proud Dad, waiting to walk his daughter down the aisle. | The amazing reception venue – never seen anything like it, with grand sweeping views of the coulee and the Leth Bridge.  | Me with 2 of my sisters, and the bride & groom. | Laughter and love…enjoying a great evening. | The few last formal shots of the day…making the most of the magnificent evening sky.

Once again, thanks Arielle and Joseph for trusting me to capture your day.  I hope you love the pictures as much as I loved taking them.  Wishing you a lifetime of love and happiness.

xo

I’m just finishing up the very last of these wedding pictures…only a few more reception shots to go, but I thought I’d start sharing.  Arielle & Joseph have been exceptionally patient with me throughout these past five, busy summer weeks.

August 18th, 2011 | Lethbridge, Alberta.

Arielle used to live in Alberta, where the rest of her family still lives, but she now lives in Ontario; Joseph and his family are from Michigan; Arielle’s extended family lives in BC and California…this was a destination wedding for about 80% of the family and guests! :)

Arielle is my cousin, and I was really excited and honoured when she emailed back in April asking if I’d take their wedding photos.  “We are going to do a bit of a vintage theme… lace and floral and antiques complete with umbrellas. It’s fun, and hopefully you can be there :)”  Well, despite the fact that this wedding was scheduled for the same week as our annual Osoyoos trip, I made sure that I could make it out with Eric and the kids.  So glad I did too; it was such a beautiful, fun and gezellig (my dutch readers will know what I mean! ;P) day.

Arielle and her bridal party getting ready in her parent’s home. | The “first look” with family watching on. | Joseph definitely approved of the gorgeous dress – after all, he was the one who found it online! :)  Impeccable taste Joe.  | Their old-fashioned wedding vehicle.  Just kiddin’

Arielle’s family formals at a nearby farm. | The amazing bouquet - dozens of rose petals meticulously wired together to make one giant open rose. | Babies rarely do what you want them to do…Elisha poopin’ through her brand-new wedding outfit?  Not exactly part of the plan! ;) |  The good-looking wedding party.  I could have shot here, in this setting, all day…what a fab location! | Arielle and Joe looking completely gorgeous and handsome!

More to come soon.  Very soon, indeed.  ;)

Show Arielle and Joseph a little lovin’ if you’d like…

When Karin Louwerse asked me to second shoot another wedding with her, I was thrilled!  As I’ve said before: second shooting is all about the fun and none of the stress…and it helps too that I really love her style and creative vision.  We had another great day together…

The bride chose to get ready at the Aldergrove CRC just before the ceremony, during which the clouds all blew away, and left us with a gorgeous afternoon at Minter Gardens shooting the formals.

This couple really knew how to laugh and have fun.  I don’t think I’ve ever seen two people so relaxed on their wedding day.  Congrats Karin and Gary!  Thanks again Karin!

At long last.  What a crazy summer it’s been, but I’ve finally finished my sis and bro-in-law, Arianna and Graham’s wedding pictures between all the other sessions and excitement that these past few weeks have had to offer.

July 15, 2011.  After a week of rain, I was extremely relieved to see fluffy clouds, and the sun peaking out!  The girls got ready at my Dad and Mom’s.  Excitement was running high – everyone looking their very best for the big day.  Isn’t my sister gorgeous? :)  Graham’s looking rather dapper too…putting on the final touches just before the ceremony. 

Jasey, Jaedah and Sadie-Jane were so excited to be flowergirls! 

After the church, we had formals at Minter Gardens, where we met up with Larissa (you can see her wonderful captures of the day on her site) since I had declined to shoot the whole wedding alone.  I went along to shoot at the fabulous Killer’s Cove Marina, and then I went home to hang out with family on my back deck. ;)  How convenient that the tug boats matched so perfectly with Arianna’s colours! :)

The reception was back at Minter Gardens.  What a gorgeous place to have a wedding on a sunny summer evening, such as this one was.

What a wonderful day.  I know Arianna and Graham are old pros at marriage already, since it’s been a whole 5.5 weeks since their wedding day, but I just want to say that I wish them all the best.  We love you both dearly.

xo

…there was lunch at the church, family pictures at Minter Gardens and then bridal party pictures in Harrison and Agassiz. 

Arianna asked me to take ALL her wedding pictures…but I (somewhat) sadly decided that I should give up the formals to a different photographer so I could really enjoy the day as a guest and sister, rather then work hard all day and only enjoy the day through my lens (which is VERY enjoyable I must admit, but not so fun for Eric and the kids). 

I shot the getting ready pictures, as well as the church and the last 1/2 of the reception alone.  I did pick the locations however (after much deliberation), …and, if I may say so myself, they were rather fabulous! ;)  Larissa Addison of Luxe Photography shot the formals – with me as 3rd shooter for 1/2 of the time…I just shot at the first location, and then went to go and chill with my family until reception time. 

What a fab day it was….and I have many more pics to share yet with you.

xo

Tomorrow.  To witness (and photograph) my sister Arianna marry her fiance Graham…

xo you two.  I hope your day is perfect.

A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of working with and for Langley photographer Karin Louwerse.  It was such a great opportunity to second shoot for her.  I love second shooting – all of the fun, and none of the stress! ;) 

After the wedding ceremony we shot the bridal party pictures at a winery in Abbotsford, and then in a hazel nut orchard in Yarrow, before heading to the reception at the Saar Bank Farm in Abbotsford.  Such fabulous locations, and thankfully, fab weather too!

Here’s a few of my captures of the day…be sure to head on over to Karin’s blog to check out hers too!

First getting ready and pictures at the winery:

And some vintage lovin’ in the nut orchard:

Thanks again Karin, maybe we’ll get a chance to shoot together again some time! :)

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