A Day In The Park (Biggest Blog Post EVER!!!!)

A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of meeting Amanda, Shaune & Bella for the first time. Amanda had contacted me only about a week or so before. Her and Shaune were planning a very last minute surprise wedding. The only people in on the secret were the couple, the bridal party, and her grandma I believe (and a select few others to help pull off the secret). We really wanted to get together before the wedding to get some family/engagement pictures first, and to get to know each other a bit before the big day. Here are some photos from that day... (actually quite a few because they've already seen them and I won't ruin the surprise)


My favorite shot of Bella, who was FINALLY allowed to get in the water...



Gorgeous eyes...





Here is one of my favorite family pics - too bad it is so small, Bella's eyes are just as pretty as her moms.
Bella attacks!


I love the intimate sort of feeling here...


This was definitely one of my favorites...



Look for their wedding preview soon, and also a sneak peak at this years Christmas cards!

Amanda, Shaune & Bella

YEAH! The secret is out!
Skip & I just got home from a beautiful wedding on a farm near Oyen.
Thank you so much Amanda, Shaune & Bella for having us be a part of your special surprise wedding day. More on that later though, I wanted to share one quick shot from their engagement/family session a few weeks ago. More to come from the engagement shots tomorrow, and some from the actual wedding soon.
I just wanted to take a quick second to say thank you so much for making us feel so welcome, and congratulations!

I have a secret...

A few days ago I did some top secret photos for a top secret couple who is getting married at a secret time and place... it's all VERY secretive. I have never shot a wedding like this before and am REALLY excited about it, I am so excited to be there to witness the reactions, it will be great! Anyway, since this is all so confidential I would not want to risk showing anything of them just now, you'll have to check back.

Here are a couple of Quin at Echo Dale the other day with Nana... (The sky was SO gorgeous, this has not been enhanced, I was sad I had no other photos booked that day...)



And I was really surprised that he was brave enough to go in the water...


Anyway, hope you all have a great weekend!

Do you need a wedding coordinator?

I had a meeting this evening with Laura Hit from Noteworthy Designs, she is a wedding planner and also makes beautiful custom stationary.

Why would we want to hire a wedding planner you may ask... WHY WOULDN'T YOU!!!! Just to name a few things she can help you with;

brainstorming your theme, planning the itinerary for the day, recommend florists, caterers, help with wedding etiquette, coordinate rehearsal, coordinate the big day itself, not to mention invitations, thank you cards, etc...

Just think of the stress you could save yourself!

It seems to me like this is something that would really be worth checking out.
This is the link to her page and all the great info...

http://www.noteworthydesigns.ca/

Allison & Kevin Nitchke

On a personal note, Skip & I had the pleasure of attending the wedding of Allison & Kevin yesterday. Kevin is my cousin and growing up we were really more like siblings than cousins, we spent so much time together, and fought together just like the real kind do. I was pretty bossy, I was probably to blame. (I say was bossy, but Skip would probably change that to still is...) Anyway, I just want to take a minute and thank them and their parents for a really really fantastic night. The venue itself was great to start off, but Allison came up with some really beautiful decorations, and ideas to make the space their own. Peacock feathers graced the tables in tall gorgeous vases, a candy table with all kinds of chocolates, salt water taffy, jelly beans, lollypops, the list really goes on and on, all in coordinating colors. (Can you tell that was my favorite part?) Specialty cocktails... yum! I also want to thank them for ordering me a vegetarian meal, it doesn't often happen that people remember, and it was greatly appreciated, and enjoyed. I really didn't take too many photos, I just brought the point and shoot. Thank you so much for having us!

Anyway, here are a few to share...


The cake cutting...



The yummy cocktails, Skip's rum and coke, and my something blue...




Two of the cousins...



The newlyweds! Allison had THE MOST AMAZING veil/hat, and vintage looking dress, so beautiful.




Oh, and finally a bat that was having a nap outside on the terrace... don't worry, no one else saw him...

Contest Winner!

Drum roll please....... the best way to keep cool in the summer photo contest winner is...


(Here is a good one I got of Carrie at our Perkins Family Fun Day. We rented a dunk tank type of thing where, you throw a ball at the target to release a water balloon. Carrie was such a good sport, considering her baldness due to chemo. I didn't wanna go up there but she took off her wig and went for it.)

This absolutely HAD TO be the winner! Sonja Bailey, you have won yourself a free session with yours truly! You can keep it for yourself, or give it away to a deserving friend or relative... I will print you up a nice little winners certificate and get it to you next week! YEAH!

Thank you to everyone who entered! You are awesome!