I’m lucky enough to be friends with both the bride and groom and I was more than thrilled with the opportunity to photograph their wedding with Shaun.  They are both so much fun to be around, and I felt honoured to be asked.  Shaun’s had the opportunity to photograph a couple other tropical destination weddings before, but it was going to be my first crack at it.

Spending an entire week with close friends and family is some-kinda-wonderful.  Especially when everyone got along as well as this group did.  Adventures in the sun, sand, ocean, and discotheque were abundant, and waterpolo at 4pm was an obvious crowd favourite.  What a great way to have a holiday with all of your favourite people.  Typically after a full day photographing a wedding with a couple and their families, Shaun and I walk away feeling like we’ve made new friends.  But, after a week with Joyce and Derek’s friends and family, we were blown away by how wonderful our new collection of friends were.

They lucked out with excellent weather, having only one day with some rain.  The day of the wedding went by so smoothly. Warm, sunny, breezy, and fun.  After a beautiful morning ceremony on the beach, we spent the day photographing the couple and bridal party throughout the resort, stopping for as many drinks and snacks as were needed though.  Joyce and Derek were up for anything.  It was awesome!  Next up was the poolside reception.  It was beautiful and cozy.  Just the way it should be.  After an ah-mazing dinner and some lovely speeches came the dancing.  I must say, there were some excellent dance moves pulled out and after shutting the pool bar down for the night, we headed out for more dancing at the discotheque.

Thank you so much for including us in your destination wedding plans.  We had a wonderful time.

Here are just a sampling of some of our favourite pictures.

- Steph

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I arrived to find Sam enjoying some champagne while having her make-up done.  All the girls were at Sam’s sister’s place getting ready. Sam was more than a little excited to start the day.  She had also kept her wedding dress a surprise from almost everyone so I had to sneak into the room early to photograph it.  It was an exquisite dress and matched her bridesmaids’ chiffon dresses perfectly.  Every detail was thought of, prairie flowers, her memere’s jewlery to wear, along with a gift from Joseph. The girls wore necklaces Sam had given them.  Everyone looked stunning.  The guys were looking pretty stellar too.

In order to ensure all six bridesmaids and the bride looked stunning… it take some time.  Even with careful planning, it’s bound to take some extra time.  If a bride and groom were to take one piece of advice from this wedding it should be that even if the timing doesn’t seem to go your way, it doesn’t mean the day wont be absolutely incredible!

Sam and Joe actually had quite a few unseeable hiccups along the way.  One being that the only road leading to the chosen location among the pines was flooded three days before the wedding!  They had to haul in rig mats to allow for trucks to get through with their guests.  It was definitely worth it though.  The ceremony was full of everything that was important to the couple.  They had their pastor lead the ceremony and a justice of the peace was there to make it official.  They had a friend play the music, and there were hymns specifically chosen to commemorate those who had passed on.  It was obvious how important family and friends are to them.

For us, spending the day with a ridiculously fun bridal party, having a bride who was so easy going and adventurous (she even kissed a frog), having a couple who is 100% head over heals for each other and having the opportunity to taking photographs in Bonnyville’s natural surroundings, including Joseph’s grandfather’s farmstead… it was a dream come true.

After the portrait session portion of the day, we headed to the beautifully decorated hall to enjoy a full on traditional Ukrainian dinner.  (Shaun and I even had our romantic table for two reserved for us).  It was an amazing night, so many friends had gathered together to help make it incredible.  There were homemade cupcakes, a friend made their beautiful cake and a fantastic photo booth was put together.  Thanks for a wonderful day and Congratulations once again!

- Steph

The post Samantha and Joseph – Bonnyville wedding photography appeared first on thescades.com.

On the drive I was thinking about our upcoming new year; about all our upcoming adventures and about all the goals I’d like to set for myself.  It dawned on me how special this day was going to be for Lisa and Tim.  Not only was it their wedding day, but it was the first day of 2011. They had their whole lives ahead of them, and each New Years Day they can now celebrate the start of this new chapter in their lives as well.

Lisa and Tim are both teachers in St. Paul, Alberta. Most of their family and friends were coming from many different places across Canada, so they decided to have their wedding at Emerald Lake Lodge, just outside of Field, BC.  This lodge is one of the most beautiful mountain escapes you’ll ever see.  Its tucked away out of the modern day pace of life and all you can see is natural beauty.  It was the perfect location for a winter wedding in the mountains.

With 20 people in attendance (including Myself and Shaun), their wedding was sweet and intimate, full of everything important; Family, friends and love.

Shaun and I were so excited to be shooting a wedding in the mountains and there were almost too many portrait inspirations for us. The wedding party braved the cold though, and let us shoot to our hearts content.  We stayed close to the warm lodge so they could continually warm up their fingers and toes.

An exquisite Rocky Mountain Cuisine meal was shared around one big table together, and a fire burning in the corner kept us all warm.  Lisa’s father made beautiful birch tree candle holders which added to the coziness.  After many heartfelt and teary speeches and the delicious chocolate cake, the table was pushed to the side and they danced the rest of the night away.  It was the perfect end to a perfect day.

As a surprise treat, marshmallows and all the fixings for s’mores were brought out for everyone to enjoy!!

Thank you for including us in your amazing day, all the best in the new year!!

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On Sunday, August 15th 2010, my beautiful cousin Heather, married the love of her life. Chris Rayner.  He moved in as her next door neighbour a couple of years ago and her life changed forever.  First it was just friendly campfires out back as friends, but soon they became cherished memories as they realized how lucky they were to have met each other.

Heather and Chris bought a house in Beaumont, Alberta which they’ve spent the last year renovating, turning it into a home for their family. They have an angel for a daughter named Alexis… who brings so much joy to her parents’ lives everyday.

Chris moved out to Alberta from PEI just a few years ago, so choosing to have the wedding outside of Edmonton in British Columbia, where Heather grew up every summer was a brilliant idea.  Chris’ family who flew out all the way across the country shared in the holiday out at Shuswap Lake, BC.

The wedding was gorgeous through and through.  We met up with the whole bridal party before the ceremony to take some pictures and they helped us create a ‘first look’ moment for Heather and Chris.  He waited at the edge of a hill beside the lake, while she came up behind him…He. Was. Speechless.  All they could do was hug!

After taking a few bridal party portraits and stunning couple images with the lake and mountains in the distance, we headed back to the site for the ceremony. They were married out at Talking Rock Resort just outside of Chase, BC. Many of the guests, and family were staying at the breathtaking golf resort over the weekend, so there was a great sense of connectedness between everyone.  After a sweet ceremony in the sunshine, where Heather and Chris shared their vows and love with their favourite people, a reception lasting late into the night followed.  Heather’s brother Graeme MC’d the evening, he did a great job keeping people laughing. There was a cute slide show…and Alexis kinda stole the show… then the dancing started.  It didn’t end until the end of the night.  Nobody wanted to stop dancing, we were having too much fun with the bride and groom.

We were so happy to play such a big role your wonderful day!

Chris’ father presented him with a pocket watch of his for the wedding.

After a long morning of preparations the two finally meet to see each other for the first time.

Little Lexi was super sweet all day.

The post Married in the Shuswaps – Heather and Chris Rayner! – BC wedding photography appeared first on thescades.com.

These two are a couple who’s strength, love of adventure and positive attitude towards life inspires those around them. Instead of stressing about waking up to buckets of rain on the morning of the ceremony, they embraced the weather as a sign to push back the wedding a few hours .  And sure enough, because of the heavy rain we needed to move the ceremony location to a safer area on the river. In the afternoon as the clouds rolled away and we were gathered to witness their vows, not one, but three eagles were spotted landing in the trees among us, representing good fortune, love and prosperity for the couple!

The guests were boated out to the sandbar ahead of time so they could greet the couple. Then as they walked up though the crowed everyone formed a circle and  began the celebration. An eagle’s feather was passed around as each of us offered kind words and wishes, the different elements of nature were respected and many blessings were given for the couple. It was a beautiful event! With the location showcasing Canada’s natural beauty, and mix of traditions, it was one of the most unique and wonderful weddings we’ve ever photographed.

The following day we set out to spend some time in Vancouver and take a few pictures in the city and by the ocean. Thanks so much for inviting us to take part in your day and we hope you’re enjoying your travels in theRV!

Being boated out to the island in the middle of the river for the ceremony!

Giving our best wishes to the couple.

balancing on a rock, because I’m CoOL like that!

Did I mention that they went bungee jumping the day before the wedding!! Yes, they are cool like that too.

The post Darlene and Rob get married, in the middle of the Squamish river! – Vancouver Wedding Photography appeared first on thescades.com.

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