Amy and Chris’s DIY Hernder’s wedding

I love, love, love, love working with friends and family of past brides and grooms – over and over again. It is a compliment in the finest form when previous bridesmaids, groomsmen or family members of past brides and grooms contact me for their special day. I have shot Katie as a bridesmaid at Krystle and Pete’s wedding, as a maid of honour at Lacey and Dan’s wedding and also worked with her professionally as Katie is a co-ordinator at the Crowne Plaza. Needless to say when we were at the end of Lacey and Dan’s reception and Katie asked me to photograph her upcoming wedding I was thrilled. Mike and Katie are the perfect couple – both have a fun and happy outlook on life and were made for each other. Mike actually served in the army in Afghanistan and I for one am so thankful for men and women like him who serve our country and I am especially happy that Mike made it home safely, for Katie’s arms is where he belongs. A more intimate and private affair their wedding at Hernder’s was truly a touching event. Katie said her vows like I have never heard any other bride say them; as happy tears kept welling up in her eyes she said her vows as if they were poetry and they were – an ode and a promise to always be each other’s best friends and be there no matter what. Katie brought me to tears a few times that day, one of my favorite moments is when we were taking the formal photos and I heard Katie exclaim in joy at the rain “Micheal – looks these raindrops are all the tears we will never have to cry during our marriage!” This is one of the most optimistic and all right downright romantic way to look at rain on your wedding day! But I should expect no less of Katie – I was so happy to be  there to photograph these two crazy lovebirds – as my first wedding back after the baby it was a nice way to ease into things. Check out a few teasers from the day . . .

Isn’t Katie gorgeous? I love her red shoes :)

I love how completely lost in the kiss she is

Totally love that they were willing to travel across the street in the rain to get a few photos near this field – you know me and fields ;)

Thanks again Katie and Mike for having Bryan and I along – it was an honour!

Wishing your friendship and love,

Amanda

A picture of quiet radiance and contained excitement was what met me at the door to her parents house. Liz was itching to get into her dress and waiting for me before putting it on. Even though it was her wedding day some of the first words out of her mouth were to inquire about how I was feeling and how the baby was. See, we were both pulling for the same thing – that I get through September 5th without going into labour! Doing a wedding 9 months pregnant was crazy – fun – tiring – joyful and emotional. I could not have done it without my amazing team of papparazzos – Sam, Bryan and another fulltime photog; Rick Denham. I have second shot for Rick before so it was fun to have him come a long on this side of things and he was a HUGE help!

I am so terribly late in blogging this wedding but I still want to tell the story from their day. I first met Liz and Ryan through Caitlin – one of Liz’s co-workers and very good friend. Caitlin and I had worked together on a few weddings at Hernder’s back when she was doing her placement for college there. So when Liz and Ryan came in for their first meeting they mentioned not wanting to be too long because they had their puppy at home so they had to limit their time. Well, knowing that I talk a lot (yes, despite my awful blogging habits in person I am a little miss chatterbox) I knew that we would probably run over and well I love animals anyways – so I invited them to bring their Jack Russell – Eddie along. What a perfect play date for my Freddie and even if they decided not to book me Freddie would make a new friend and work out some energy. I am so glad that they brought Eddie with them because we definitely ran over and by the end of it I knew that we would be working together!

Through all the planning, the engagement shoot, and the wedding the thing that struck me the most about these two was their complete ease. WHO plans a wedding and isn’t stressed about it? Well I guess having one of your close friends as your wedding planner helps but more than that they had a great attitude about the day. Both of them couldn’t wait to be married and in fact Liz drew more than a few giggles during the ceremony as she was practically dancing around as Father John announced them – she just wanted to get to the kiss – because she missed Ryan and couldn’t wait to walk hand in hand down the aisle with him.

It was so awesome to be there and witness two best friends and soulmates celebrate their relationship, love, families and characters together in such a special way. Thanks again reading my panicked e-mail in February and listening to the fact that my due date was a mere 2 and half weeks from your wedding day and sticking it out with me. I know I had a backup plan just in case but your faith in me is priceless. On that note – on to the photos!

Liz’s gorgeous dress

A gorgeous photo of the rings by Rick – these two are avid baseball players

Liz snuck in from the side and surprised everyone – doesn’t her face just look so excited!

So in love

Happy little family

Yup – the entire wedding party played baseball in formal attire at the botanical gardens – photo by Sam

Pretty picture by me of the girls

Awesome picture of the guys by Rick

so at ease with each other

yes – i climbed down a small ravine while 9 months pregnant to get this shot! So happy Bryan had disappeared back to the hall at this point :)

and I’ll finish off with a fantastic capture by Rick during the first dance

Wishing you friendship and love,

Amanda

Truly, I believe I am the luckiest person in the world. For my job, I have the honour of meeting some truly amazing couples that let me be a part of the most important day of their lives. I meet their families, friends, hear the stories of how they met and get to witness the miracle that is two souls finding their match. I have to say that this year and next has me so excited, although I have less weddings planned because of the baby, I believe that the clients coming to me are MY clients. They are so in love with each other, willing to show it in front of the camera, and totally get my work. Erin and Mike are perfect examples of that type of client, from the moment Bryan and I met them at our first meeting we were both super excited. Erin is gentle and warm – and definitely considerate and Mike is always smiling and you can just tell how much he loves Erin by how much bigger that smile gets when his eyes land on her. Thanks from both Bryan and I to the both of you for choosing us and we wish you all the best! Here’s a few photos from their gorgeous wedding at Hernder’s . . .

Erin’s dress in her parents backyard – so pretty!

Isn’t Erin gorgeous?

Mike and all his boys before the ceremony

The ceremony was outside on the patio

Walking down the aisle – so in love !

Escaping everyone after the ceremony

I want to send a special thanks to Erin’s mom who made me cry with her kind words the day after the wedding. Both families were amazing and we wish you both all the best!

Wishing you friendship and love,

Amanda