I met Stephen and Stephanie four years ago when Stephen was a groomsmen at Chris and Arlene’s wedding. Three years ago I had the pleasure of photographing Stephen and Stephanie just for fun before they were engaged. And so I was really looking forward to seeing them again and documenting their wedding day!

Stephen and Stephanie’s wedding day was on that gorgeous weekend we had over Thanksgiving – and was filled with tears, laughter, and a whole lot of joy. An absolute beautiful day!

While I started with the girls, Eva (from Eva Derrick Photography) started over with the guys. And in case you wonder how guys manage to get ready without women there to help, enter Google and Youtube.

Stephen looks so happy!!

The guy’s headed over to check out the ceremony location. Can I just say… Discovery Landing in Burlington is a gorgeous spot for ceremonies! Would definitely recommend it!

Meanwhile back over with the ladies… was one very laid back Stephanie. I think she helped everyone else with makeup, dresses, flowers and such before even thinking about getting dressed herself. She was so calm.

Stephen and Stephanie’s nieces and nephews were in the wedding party – so sweet.

And it’s time for the bride to get ready!

I love how everyone is helping!

Mom is finding it a bit emotional though… weddings are such a mix of emotions for all involved!

There is a whole series of beautiful moments here. I love Stephanie’s caring, touching response to her mom.

Stephen’s mom lent Stephanie her pearls to wear. SUch a beautiful gesture!

Her dad beamed so much when he saw his little girl… I cried.

FInishing touches…

Just beautiful.

Stephanie had these hilarious gloves from her Bachelorette. She had told the girls (many, many times apparently) that when she was a kid she wanted the gloves that went over the one finger like this for her wedding. She thought it would be hilarious to wear them – watch for them to make an appearance later…

Show time! Going to the chapel…

Such a great spot for a ceremony! And the ringbearer and flower girl charmed us all!

I love Stephanie’s wave to Stephen as she enters.

I was standing over behind Stephanie’s mom – and caught this glance to mom right before Stephanie goes to say her “I Do’s”

Remember I said these would make an appearance? Everyone cracked up when Stephanie took off her white gloves to reveal these! GREAT ice breaker!

The ceremony was such a mix of laughter and tears. A very personalized service – I may have even cried (for the second time that day already!). I loved how Stephen was ready with hanky for Stephanie.

I was at the front and couldn’t sneak out to get a photo form outside, but glad Eva could interpet my sign language and scooted out to get the ceremony from outside!

Stephanie is so full of spunk – and Stephen just laughs along at everything. Love it!

Stephen stopped on the way out to give mom some love. Way too sweet.

Stepping outside on this gorgeous day and…. more laughs! (love these two)

An absolutely beautiful Fall day for photos!

Kids will be kids!

This light was a gift. Beautiful.

Stephanie dad drove them in his vintage car.

Then we scooted off to the park where Stephen had proposed to Stephanie.

The reception was at the Burlington Art Gallery and Stephanie started off the evening by giving Stephen a huge surprise and singing to him!

Receptions and speeches also are a mix of emotions from the big laughs to the tears in a matter of moments.

Stephen and Stephanie – thank you for an amazing day and trust you are having an unbelievable time in the Maldives!

Celebrating life and love,

Krista

It’s been such a cold, wet Fall and Saturday they were calling for another wet, cold day. FOrtunately – the rain stopped and the sun came out! It was still cold but what a beautiful, crisp Fall day for Cameron and Heather’s Fall wedding!

We started with cameron at his mom’s house. It was so cold even my lens fogged up going from cold car to warm house – but I love the grainy effect it gave!

Cameron is about the sweetest guy ever – and he looked so handsome too!

And then it was on to Heather… she was in the hotel with the girls hurrying to get ready.

Such a beautiful bride!

I love these candids Jen caught of Heather getting ready to come down the aisle.

Cameron and his mom have such a special relationship – the only child of a single mom. You better believe these two are tight. SO sweet.

Walking down the aisle is always such a mix of emotions..

Both moms were just beaming through the whole ceremony – and day!

There were a few other cute spectators during the ceremony too!

I always love the moment when the couple leaves the ceremony and before the wedding party catches up. I held back and caught these two images of teh new Mr and Mrs!

And the big congrats from the wedding party!

WHat a beautiful day it ended up being! LionHead Golf Course was a beautiful setting too!

The reception room was just gorgeous – overlooking the Fall colours on the course.

The very happy couple!

These two have known each other since grade 4 (Madi’s age – eeks!) and have dated since they were 15. The first song tehy danced to was on Heather’s 16th birthday… and now they danced to the same song on their wedding day. Beautiful.

Cameron and Heather – thank you for letting me be a part of your Big Day!

Celebrating life and love,

Krista

I met Josh and Trish about a year ago when they booked me to document their day – they shared their vision of a big wedding and lots of guests… a couple months later I got a call and they wanted to chat about changes. The planning was becoming stressful and not fun… they just wanted to be married! So they changed to a simple wedding – just 25 people present – and they just wanted to be married outside by a tree. It was beautiful. I loved that they followed their hearts – not only to each other, but also to their perfect day! All week it called for rain on Saturday – even when I went to bed on Friday it was calling for rain. Woke up to a perfect day – what a gift!

Josh and Trish have been good friends since grade 4 (my daughter’s age – hmmm….) and so they are completely comfortable around each other and have a great relaxed chemistry. They are so fun to be with – Trish’s crazy, quirky, laughing personality and Josh’s calm and serene presence.

You may remember from Josh and Trish’s engagement session – their love for books! So I tried to incorporate books throughout the day’s images.

You can’t really tell – but I know – I put the rings on the page in Pride & Prejudice where Darcy proposes to Elizabeth (the first time). This quote is there “…allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you.”

Trish and her girls went to the Farmer’s Market the day of the wedding, bought flowers and then arranged them by themselves – they did an amazing job!

Trish had her good friends come from Georgia – and they gave them this great wedding gift! A wreath made of pages from one of Trish’s favourite books (The Historian). What a beautiful gift!

The beautiful dress. Loved the simplicity of it and how you could change the look with it so easily!

Trish had not planned to wear a veil – but her mom repeatedly asked her to. Whenever she would go for a dress fitting her mom would sneak one on her. Trish knew it was important to her mom, and so she surprised her by wearing a small one she ordered from etsy. Her mom was thrilled!

The beautiful bride!

The girls are READY!

Trish’s dad was so sweet when he saw her for the first time!

And time for the ceremony! They got married at Osler House in Dundas which was beautiful!

We got to the part in the ceremony when they were having a “hand fasting” ceremony… and Trish realized she forgot the rope she had made! In the relaxed feel of the day she yelled out – “I need a tie! Someone give me their tie!” Ricardo was quick to offer his tie and it made for a laugh during the ceremony!

Husband and wife!

This is one happy bride!

Trish had asked for some photos of her and Papa as he is very special to her and his memory is starting to go. It was a good day for him on the wedding and he knew exactly who the beautiful bride was. This is the traditional portrait of him and her….

But to me – this moment where he is congratulating his granddaughter, is much more special (and what I would have loved with my own Grandpa).

The grounds were beautiful at Osler House, and we had lots of fun with the wedding party taking photos.

Oh Trish – I just love you!

And then some time with just Josh and Trish….

High fives – they’re married!

And then we went inside the house – so beautiful!

Josh and Trish – congratulations! Thank you for letting me be a part of your Big Day!

Celebrating life and love,

Krista

Last weekend was also Richard and Patricia’s wedding celebration – these two are gorgeous and so laid back – a beautiful day!

We started with the guys which is always fun – I never know what state of dress and chaos guys will be in when we get there. But these guys were busy doing the typical groomsmen prep – looking on you tube how to tie a tie! The guys were a lot of fun.

As we got ready to leave the guys to go see the girls – they did a big “Cheers!”. SO fun!

And then as we arrived at the girls – before the door was even opened we could hear the same “Cheers!” sound we just left behind at the guys. Great minds think alike!

Patricia had a large wedding party – but they were all so excited, helpful and sweet – it was fun to have them all come and watch her get ready!

Patricia made a gorgeous bride!

And we’re off to Burlington Convention Centre for their ceremony and reception!

I love this image of Richard’s parents waiting for everything to start!

I always love this moment of signing the registrar – the stress is gone and the very happy couple can look at each other and say “We’re married!!!”

Afterwards we had a small window of time for portraits and didn’t want to go far… although it looks like we’re in some beautiful meadow – we are really in behind some factories along the service road with the QEW whizzing by! You would never know!

A beautiful evening! Congratulations Richard and Patricia!

Celebrating life and love,

Krista

We are so thrilled to have been featured on Wedding Chicks yesterday – we love this wedding blog! Great resource for any bride! LINK

Celebrating life and love,

Krista

Lots to blog and share this week and next! Coming up is a real variety!

A biker fundraiser event…

A gorgeous wedding – Scott and Dawn are so perfect together! What a great day!

A vintage inspired maternity session….

And an engagement session with the adorable Glen and Dorothy in and around their amazing neighbourhood!

Celebrating life and love,

Krista

I can’t wait to share this beautiful Niagara-on-the-Lake wedding! I love the idea of destination weddings that are only an hour or two from the couple’s home! The guests get to explore a new area and take a weekend away… and you get the beauty of a destination wedding, within a drive from home! Melissa especially just loves Niagara-on-the-Lake and was so eager to share it with her friends and family!

We started our day at the Andrew Logan House – a great home Melissa’s family had rented just around the corner from Queen’s Landing!

And check out some of the other great details from the wedding I shared the other day HERE.

Allure did an amazing job of hair and makeup for all the gals!

Melissa’s beautiful family

And Charles and Melissa’s handsome, adorable 6month old son Gavin

Then we headed over to Queen’s Landing to meet up with CHarles and his family.

Could these two be any more handsome?

Charles’ happy family (Note – I LOVE how everyone involved in the day wore the wedding colours of red and turquoise!)

Melissa and her dad drove over to the church in a Rolls Royce from Niagara Classic Cars. FUn fact – it use to belong to the Queen Mother!

St. Vincent de Paul always makes a gorgeous venue for ceremonies. And the flowers from Forget Me Not flowers were amazing!

The Happy Couple!!

The new family!

One thing I LOVE about Niagara-on-the-Lake is everything is within about 5minutes of each other. We went over to the Navy Hall and some local vineyards for some portraits.

We then headed downtown Niagara-on-the-Lake – and I think I heard a few girls swoon at Charles when he helped his gorgeous bride with her shoes.

Loved the contrast of Melissa to the pedestrians! A beautiful wedding coupe sure draws attention!

Melissa really wanted to stop in to two stores where they had purchases a lot of their thank you gifts for their wedding. The first was “Irish Design” – they were so great and excited to have us come in!

And also “Wine Country Vintners” – where they not only warmly welcomed us (each and every one of their staff!), they took a picture and tweeted it, and gave the happy couple a drink of ice wine.

Then it was time to head back to Queen’s Landing for the reception! Simply Beauty did an amazing job with the decor!!

Loved the cake from Vineyard Sweets!

Charles and Melissa started with their first dance – complete with her cousin serenading them!

Melissa is a step instructor and she thought no one would play – to get them to kiss you had to perform a step routine… it was a huge hit and SO much fun!

Melissa and Charles had a fun way to rate the routines!

I loved the idea of the head table being parents and the couple!

Melissa’s uncle made a fun presentation – St. Patrick’s day Parade Marshall sashes!

Which of course meant spontaneous Irish ballads would be sung…

And then it was on to Melissa and her dad’s non-traditional father-daughter dance. WHat a riot!

Congratulations Charles and Melissa!

Celebrating life and love,

Krista

I can’t wait to blog Charles and Melissa’s wedding but until I do… I thought I’d share some of their great details from the wedding. I love turquoise and red together!!

Celebrating life and love,

Krista

Yesterday was a gorgeous day for Charles and Melissa’s wedding in Niagara-on-the-Lake…. can’t wait to share. Watch for more pictures SOON!!

Celebrating life and love,

Krista