What does a wedding look like during the world’s largest ever Pandemic? Well… to be honest, it’s kind of the same. Some might argue that it’s more inclusive and special. Perhaps more memorable. I would have to agree with all of it. First of all, to be asked to photograph a Zoom wedding after 3 months of nothingness, was probably the most excited I’ve been in a long time. It’s a historic time to be living through all of this, let alone to get married amidst it. Having the opportunity to document their history while living in history is pretty darn special. J and N were considering just eloping as even before Covid, there were concerns about getting all their family and friends here. J said “If we can’t have everybody, then maybe we should just have nobody”… But then along came the Pandemic, and Zoom meetings and social distancing, and the more they thought about it, the more a Zoom wedding was quite literally the perfect solution to all the issues they had been facing prior to the Pandemic. They brought in Calgary AV and it was a slick set up. Bride and Groom and Officiant Mic’d up, wireless microphone for speeches, a great video camera and TV to live stream and a remote MC on Zoom orchestrating other speeches and toasts. It was a magnificent technological display. But when it came down to it, it was still 2 people who love each other, surrounded by everyone they love. I am thrilled to have witnessed it all. The ceremony took place on the Cottage Club’s gorgeous property in Cochrane on Ghost Lake.
S + J got married at St Vladimir’s Ukrainian Church and it was amazing. Can we take a moment to gush about S’s wedding dress. I got married 10 years ago, and I don’t think this dress existed… but if it did, I do believe I would have chosen it too. It was a VERY rainy day, but it’s something that I’m just used to rolling with now. We adjust, we use umbrellas, we figure out timing, we just make it work. No Big Deal. Seriously! In my 13 years of being a wedding photographer, I have seen pretty much everything. From -40C to the 2013 floods to now a global pandemic. I hadn’t photographed St Vladimir’s Ukrainian Church before so this was a pretty epic day for me. The colour! The happiness! The rounds of 3! haha, believe me, ask any photographer and when something is done more than once, it is THE BEST. I got to try different shots knowing that I had a second and third chance as well. The rain always create this intensity to colour and thankfully it dwindled enough during creatives that we didn’t need the umbrellas that I carry to every single wedding. I call them my Spite umbrellas. I schlep those things everywhere and I think they’re magic as I don’t use them very often. Their reception was held at Valley Ridge Golf Course, and the room there is spectacular. I love the windows and the light, and the patio extends off the room. It’s a really private and gorgeous area surrounded by flowers and trees. The night ended for me with a dance floor filled with happy people and that my friends, is the best ending ever.
It’s not often that I get asked to do creatives with the family of the bride and groom but every single time I’ve done it, I ask myself why I don’t do it more. Scroll on down and see it! HA! Yes, I am bragging, but it’s only because families are awesome. There is so much nuance and history that even a slight look between siblings or parents, will send everyone into hysterics. And now that I’m a mom, I know that no matter how old my boys get, I will probably still want to kiss their cheeks. What better time to do that, then on their wedding day… Just sayin…. We used Sandy Beach for creatives for the bridal party and it has been SO long since I’ve been. I absolutely loved shooting there, with so many options for backdrop. It was a glorious summer day in Calgary for a beautiful wedding.
This was a special fall day because a week earlier, Calgary was covered in SO much snow. L told me that J had offered to shovel the snow from the Ranche lawn, so that they could get married outside. If that’s not true love, I don’t know what is. But Calgary being Calgary, well, we got some sunshine and just like that, the snow disappeared and we got what we all love, an exquisite Autumn day for a gorgeous Ranche wedding between two awesome people.
K, so let’s just start with the fact that this incredible wedding had a drum circle. The rhythmic beating of the drums by almost everyone in attendance was unreal. I don’t think I’ll ever forget it. Then lets zero in on the cuteness overload that is J + J. Ohmyword, these two. They wanted a no fuss type day surrounded by their friends and family, and that just makes my entire soul happy. I want to capture authenticity, realness and these two, and their smiling and loving guests were exactly that.
It was such a delight to work with Amanda and Duncan for their Cornerstone Theatre wedding in Canmore, once again. This time though, their new private ceremony site was ready and it is just so special. The views and the landscape made for such a gorgeous ceremony. Amanda and Duncan are one of those easy going couples that you instantly love to be around the second you meet them. Amanda’s enthusiasm for pretty much everything (even a Pug that she doesn’t own…yet) put a smile on my face the whole day. And the way Duncan looks at her, and her at him, it was just completely effortless. Their dance floor was packed and I have to say, shooting inside the Cornerstone Theatre is my FAVOURITE. Because of the already rustic and cozy interior, there doesn’t need to be a lot of decorations and the way my off camera strobes bounce the light is just so cool! Haha, the nerdy side is coming out! If you’re looking for a stunning ceremony location and a fabulous reception space, then this is a very good choice.
