Want a free movie night? Give some free advice!

It took awhile (I really don't want to admit how many years), but I finally updated my website.  It's not completely finished yet, but it's there, and it's a much-needed improvement.  

There's a few things still missing, and I need your help.  I need your advice!  No, I really need your advice.  Your wedding planning advice to other couples.  What you learned, what you wished you hadn't of done, what you wish you had of done more of (you know, like breathe).

It's simple.  Head over to my Facebook page, like it, and tell future couples what you learned.  In November, I'll pick a commenter at random to win a night out at the movies!

While this giveaway is limited to Canadians only, it is NOT limited to only my clients.  This giveaway is open to anyone 18+ that has gotten married or is getting married in the near future.  Entries are in the form of a comment on my Facebook page, and only to those that have 'liked' my page.  Winner will be chosen at random November 15, 2013.

You saved my sanity, now I'm saving yours.

Remember last month when I got all schmoopy and decided to do a giveaway?  No?  Well, read it here then.

Caught up?  Good, because it's time to announce who won!

I received a hell of a lot more responses than I could have ever imagined.  Seriously.  You all proved that there are a hell of a lot of couples out there that are keeping it real, and keeping what's important - your relationship - at the top of your plans.  The way you described your partner and your relationships was incredible.  No matter who you choose as a photographer, I can't wait to see the photos.

I used random.org to pull an entry, and I'm super excited to photograph Catherine & Carl's wedding next September!  An outdoor wedding on Carl's family property in the country?  WITH food trucks?  I think random.org knows me way too well.

Cathy wrote a very genuine email to me, describing the two of them:

"As I said before, we're both botanists and we love being outside. We have a lot of interests in common, which is awesome and definitely helps keep us in sync with each other. More than that, though, we complement each other. I'm kind of grumpy, and as my mom says, Carl "sparkles." I tend toward being dramatic, and he is calming and stable. I fixate on daily interactions with coworkers or the guy at the grocery store, and he lets them roll of his back like nothing. I've lived in large cities for most of my life, and he grew up an isolated country boy. These things could result in conflict, but because we can talk it all out, we help each other see the diversity of reactions and emotions that people are capable of. "

 Seriously.  Anyone who can admit to a stranger that they're "kind of" grumpy is someone I want to know (because when it comes to grumpy, I totally am - especially pre-coffee.  Or when hungry.  Or tired.  So pretty much most of the time). 

I like authenticity, and Catherine and Carl are as authentic as it gets.  I can't wait for next September.

The contest may be closed, but remember - I learned the hard way that people won't remember if you had mason jars or chalkboards, but they will remember if the marriage doesn't last.  It sucks.  Put yourselves first, and the details second.

Pheasant Run Golf Club Wedding, Newmarket {Nadine & Mike}

It's easy to sum up Nadine and Mike's wedding day in two words:  awesomeness redefined.

The weather was amazing with gorgeous blue skies - the type you can only get in the Fall, when the leaves have turned and the colours complement each other in that 'just right' kind of way.  The venues, both the church for the ceremony and Pheasant Run Golf Club for the reception, were both comforting and stunning.  Mike and Nadine's family and friends were full of genuine joy, and made everyone feel welcome.  

Then there were the bride & groom themselves - so crazy about each other, it enveloped them both all day.  Having spent a lot of time with Nadine and Mike in the planning process, I thought I knew what to expect.  I was wrong.  I expected their wedding to be great, but I was ill-prepared for just how awesome it would be.

Thank you so much Mike & Nadine, for choosing me to document your special day!

As always, be sure to 'like' my Facebook page for a few more images and info.

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Horseshoe Valley Resort Wedding Photography Barrie {Breanne and Dean}

It seems like it was forever ago when I first met with Breanne and Dean.  Forever ago when they first told me their story of long-distance love, their story of working hard and sacrificing to just have time together.  And now here we are, what seems like eons later, their hard work and sacrifice having paid off as they said their vows in front of friends and family.  

It rained all day for Dean and Bre's wedding.  They didn't care.  Their guests didn't complain.  And then, moments before the ceremony, the rain stopped.  It was still wet, and still cold ... but Bre and Dean never once complained.  They were so focused in each other, I don't think they even noticed the weather.

A wedding at Horseshoe Resort is always a nice wedding, but Breanne and Dean's wedding at Horseshoe Resort was more than nice - it was meaningful, emotional, and fun.  With a packed dance floor thanks to Terry at Scotia Entertainment, the couple and their guests danced long into the night.  

No one noticed that it started raining again.

Dean and Breanne, thank you so much for choosing me to document your wedding day - since our first meeting so long ago, you both went above and beyond the usual client-photographer relationship, and I truly wish you happiness as newlyweds and beyond!

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ONE IMAGE - Nadine & Mike {Pheasant Run Golf Club Wedding Photography}

I think it's safe to say that Nadine and Mike's wedding at Pheasant Run Golf Club in Newmarket was the perfect way to end my official 2013 wedding season.  Between the amazing weather, the awesome friends and family, and Nadine & Mike's infectious grins, I couldn't have asked for a better day.

Stay tuned to my Facebook page to see more updates, and look for the rest of Mike & Nadine's wedding images soon!

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Natalie and Randy {Sarnia Wedding Photographer}

The process of wedding planning isn't always an easy one.  You feel like you're being overwhelmed with choices of details, what to do and when to do it.  And sometimes, you hit a real snag or two.  

Natalie & Randy didn't have the smoothest time when planning their Sarnia wedding, but you wouldn't know it by the smiles on their faces.  I don't think Randy stopped smiling the entire day - the look of joy on his face as he watched Natalie say her vows was amazing, and the sparkle in Natalie's eyes spoke volumes.

Following the wedding ceremony at the grooms childhood church in Petrolia, the wedding party hammed it up at Waterfront Park in Sarnia-Point Edward, topping it off with bridge fries, of course!  

Randy and Natalie, thank you so much for choosing us to be part of your day, and trusting us to take care of you.  

To see more images from Natalie and Randy's wedding, be sure to check out my Facebook page!

 

Breanne and Dean - ONE IMAGE {Horseshoe Valley Resort Wedding Photography}

It stopped raining just before Breanne walked down the aisle to stand beside Dean at their Horseshoe Valley Resort wedding, just in time for them to celebrate the end of their long distance relationship and beginning of their marriage.  

You can't tell from this image, but these ladies were freezing!  Check out their smiles - what amazing friends.  

Stay tuned for more images, and be sure to check out more snippets on my Facebook page!

{Natalie and Randy - One Image} Petrolia Wedding Photographer

One image from Natalie and Randy's amazing wedding ceremony in Petrolia, Ontario.  

That big grin on Randy's face never dimmed the entire day, and only got bigger each time he looked at Natalie.  What an amazing couple!

Be sure to follow me on Facebook for more sneak peeks and updates.  

You saved my sanity - now let me save yours {GIVEAWAY}

It's been a long journey for me to this point.  I've been shooting weddings for over a decade now, although it rarely feels like it (except on Sunday mornings, when I'm dragging my sore legs out of bed!).  Although I started out assisting my dad, I was never really an "assistant" - I never carried bags or clipboards, but I do remember thinking those first few years that I'd never learn everything he knew. I still haven't, but I'm closer.  Some days, it just blows me away how immersed in weddings I've been.

After the horrible and heartbreaking end of my short marriage, I thought I was done.  I truly did.  I believed it so much that I started researching other career options (private investigator was my top choice) between spurts of sobbing and glasses of whiskey.  

Thankfully, someone kicked my ass (s'up, Eve?) and told me I didn't have to go back to shooting weddings like I had before.  I didn't have to work with every client that came along - I just had to work with the right ones.  

That would be you.  You've come to my website because you're looking for a photographer, but maybe you stayed because something caught your eye.  I post very few "detail" images (although I do shoot them!) because as important as they are, your wedding isn't as important as your marriage.  Your wedding is about the details.  Your marriage is about you.  You as a couple.  You as a united front.  You as a team, and you individually.  You.  That's the story I like to tell - the one about you.

After realizing so many great couples exist, I slowly found my way back again.  I've spent the last few wedding seasons truly enjoying my job again because of couples like you.  Now it's my turn to say thank you.

I'm giving away free wedding coverage to one random Canadian couple.  Yes, you read that right - free wedding coverage, from the preps until the first dances, two photographers, and all hi-res images on disc.  No catch.  Well, one or two - travel costs not included if the wedding is in the Ottawa area, Sault St. Marie area, Sudbury area, 100kms or more from London or Muskoka, or any province outside of Ontario.  Only open to Canadian couples getting married in 2014.  

There is one more thing - to enter, I want you to tell me about you.  Yes, I want to know about your wedding, but mostly, I want to know about you as a couple.  What makes you awesome?  What makes you strong?  What do you love most about each other?  

That's it.  Send me an email, and tell me your story.  

Giveaway open until midnight EST September 14.  Open to Canadian couples getting married in 2014 only.  Travel costs for two photographers not included outside of Ontario.  Winning couple will be chosen at random and announced before September 30, 2013.   

Becky + Tim {Walkerton Wedding Photographer}

It's not often that my Dad, Eve and I are all brought it for a wedding.  And it's not often that a wedding will move all three of us emotionally.  Between the three of us, we have over 60 years experience in weddings - sometimes, it feels like we've seen it all.  

Then Tim & Becky come along and prove that we ain't seen nothin' yet.

After some recent hard times, the sun shone down brightly for Becky and Tim's Walkerton wedding.  A church packed with family and friends.  A large wedding party that did nothing but ask how they could help.  And a reception with a constantly packed dance floor.  Emotions ran high throughout the day, but the purpose was clear - celebrate.

Tim and Becky, thank you so much for choosing us as your photographers.  We not only had a great time, but felt honoured to be included in such a truly important celebration.

For a few more images from the day, be sure to like my Facebook page!

Walkerton Wedding Photographer

Walkerton Wedding

Walkerton Wedding Photography