They were a ton of fun to work with, it was a great time, and I can’t wait for their wedding!

Here are some of my faves:

Here is a quick sneak peek from Charles & Jen’s beautiful wedding yesterday in Curran, Ontario.  More to come…!

One of my favorite things about being a wedding photographer is the great potential for clients to become friends.  This is often the case, and with Matt and Chelsea it was certainly no different.  Over the past year since we first met to discuss their wedding plans, I have gotten to know them really well, and they truly are amazing people.  They share a similar sense of humour, they love to spend time together, and they’re a ton of fun to hang out with.   Matt even invited me along (without my camera) to his bachelor party weekend in Wasaga Beach, where, aside from realizing that I’m way too old to behave like a “frat-boy”, I got to know what a really great guy he is, with some great friends.

Their wedding day was gorgeous.  It was a beautifully warm, sunny day (and not humid!) in Ottawa – as good as you could ask for.  Their ceremony and reception were both at the elegant Fairmont Chateau Laurier Hotel in Ottawa, an absolutely stunning venue.  The day went off without a hitch, and the party went on well into the night, with the dance floor often resembling clips of Electric Circus.  It was a great time, and I think the photos tell the story of their special day.

Dominique & Leigh’s wedding was a wild & fun-filled day, with threats of rain (and actual rain) most of the day, but it cleared-up at just the right times.  Dominique and Leigh opted for the “first look”, which I arranged to take place on the locks over the Rideau Falls in Ottawa, a really cool & private place for them to see each other for the first time on their wedding day.  It went-off without a hitch and it was beautiful.  After the first look, we made our way to the scenic Rockcliffe Pavillion in Rockliffe Park for the ceremony, followed by a beautiful reception at E18hteen Restaurant in the Byward Market.

It was a fantastic day and a gorgeous wedding.  Congrats!!

I think Matt and Chelsea were only back from their fabulous honeymoon in Hawaii for a day or two before I got a text message from Matt asking about a sneak preview.  Matt blames Chelsea for being super anxious to see some photos, but I’m not entirely convinced.  :)

Their wedding was amazing, and I can’t wait to share the full set.  In the meantime, I’ll hopefully keep “Chelsea” happy for a bit while I finish getting the wedding set completed with this gorgeous shot of the two of them on the back lawn of the Fairmont Chateau Laurier.

I met Charles in early 2009, when I was on my way to Holguin, Cuba to photograph Charles’ cousin’s gorgeous wedding on the beach.  I was really excited to hear that he met a great girl named Jenn and that they were engaged – and even more thrilled when they asked me to photograph their wedding in August of this year.

We started out at the Booster Juice kiosk at Billings Bridge Plaza in Ottawa, where Charles and Jen had their first date.  It’s always fun shooting in open public spaces, trying not to be conspicuous to the many bored security guards.  We stayed just long enough to get a few frames, and then headed across the street to the park along the Rideau River, where we spent the better part of an hour getting some really nice shots.  I can’t wait for their late summer wedding!

Leanne & Rob’s wedding at the Brookstreet Hotel & Marshes Golf Club was a whirlwind to say the least.  After picking-up Linda Luu-Keifl (my super talented 2nd photographer / assistant / bride whisperer), we joined Leanne in her gorgeous suite at the Brookstreet Hotel, where both she and Rob were getting ready (different rooms, of course), for the wedding at the adjacent Marshes Golf Club.

I had a few reasons to be nervous for this wedding.  Not only was in my first of 2011, but it was also my first time coordinating & shooting a “first-look”.  For those not familiar with the concept, it’s a break from the traditional approach where the bride and groom see each other for the first time as the bride comes down the aisle.  With a first look, we arrange a beautiful meeting spot before the ceremony, where the bride and groom can see each other in private, and they can have a few minutes to talk, share their excitement, and have a moment to be together before the big day gets really rolling.  The added benefit is that we can do a lot of the photos during this time, which lets the couple go straight to enjoying time with their guests after the ceremony.

I guess I should also mention that the forecast was kind of scary, too.  With the first look planned for the middle of the golf course, the threat of thunderstorms made me a little uneasy.  Thankfully the weather gods smiled down on us, and the rain held-off just long enough to get the 1st look done.  The first drops started falling the minute we had Leanne in the Marshes clubhouse.  Phew!

For Leanne & Rob’s first look, I brought Leanne to a nice bridge on the Marshes golf course, while Linda took the golf cart to fetch Rob.  With Leanne’s back to the direction from which Rob would be approaching, I took some bridal portraits and generally tried to keep her busy and “chilled” while we waited.  Once I got a text from Linda and saw Rob approaching, I slowly started backing-up (to give them space for their moment), and to capture the 1st look using a long lens, so their moment was private.  One of the coolest moments was the instant that Leanne could hear Rob’s feet walking down the wooden-planked bridge.  Her face lit-up, and she said “he’s coming, isn’t he…?”.  Love it.

Dominique was a bridesmaid at Josee & Pat’s wedding back in 2009, and I was really flattered that she contacted me after Leigh proposed about shooting their gorgeous wedding this June at Rockliffe Pavillion, with the reception at gorgeous e18ghteen restaurant in Ottawa’s Byward Market.

We had this shoot scheduled a few times, and weather didn’t seem to want to cooperate.  I’m happy we were able to finally get some time together, but it was less than 2 weeks before the wedding…talk about cutting it close!  We spent some time around historic Sparks Street Mall, Bank of Canada and the Supreme Court area.  It was quick, but a lot of fun, and I think we got some great shots.  I can’t wait for the wedding – it’s going to be a crazy & fun-filled day!