Crystal and John ‘s Intimate Beach Wedding- Ottawa Valley Photographers

Crystal and John are such a wonderful couple. Their relationship highlights respect and kindness so well. During their engagement photos we noticed how attentive John was, and how sincere they were to one another. The other thing we loved about this couple is that their union is so family centered.

Crystal and John were wed at The Sands on Golden Lake. The officiant, Julie Keon, was so personal and centered the ceremony around this couple and their families. She included how they met and other different stories unique to the couple. She revealed that these two were a suggested match by a personal friend Andrew and after many texts and phone conversations the couple had their first date. She highlighted the many ways that this couple’s love was simply meant to be! Crystal and John’s marriage brings together two families. The Wedding party consisted of their children and a grandchild. Each person took a turn holding the couple’s rings in their hands before John and Crystal offered them to one another. As a symbol of their union, and the blending of two families, they also included a sand ceremony.  John’s Brother Tommy and his wife Pauline signed the registry.

The formal photo’s were taken both at the beach and across the road in a beautiful field also owned by the Sands. The sun was out and the sky was just gorgeous: Blue sky with the perfect amount of cloud coverage!

To Crystal and John: We were certainly honored to capture this day on camera! WE know your future holds much more LOVE, LIGHT, and JOY! Congrats!

 

As an added touch we are going to include a few excerpts from the couple’s vows to one another. We thank John’s Daughter Ashley for sending them our way.

Crystal: “My John, since the moment we met, I knew you were the one. I fell in love with your heart, your soul and your smile. I adore that you not only have deep love for your family but for mine as well. Not only have we found love but we have found trust, compassion and deep friendship. I love “us” and the way we live our lives with endless laughter…. I will trust you and honour you. I will laugh with you and cry with you. I will love you faithfully through the best and the worst. I will always be there as I have given you my hand to hold so I give you my life to keep. ”

John:  “Crystal, I want you to know that when you came into my life it felt as if the sun had suddenly appeared from an eclipse. I could see clearer and the love you showered on me made me realize you are the one. You are so compassionate, caring and thoughtful. I feel blessed to have met you and humble to be standing with you here and now…You are all good things to me. I promise you my undying affection, support, respect and admiration. I promise you that I will lift you up, as you have lifted me. I promise that I will do my best and always try. May my heart be your shelter and my arms be your home.”

Vendor Love:

Make up: Just Add Makeup Studio – J.a.m studio

Officiant: Julie Keon

Location: Sands on Golden Lake

Sara and Jason’s Poolside Wedding

Sara and Jason are such a special Couple. They joined together with their closest family and friends around a beautiful pool side in Eganville Ontario. The Pool and stunning Tiki Bar area was located in a friends yard (Otherwise known as “Punta Canada”).  It was a gorgeous sunny day with plenty of heat. The Bride walked down the aisle with both of her parents at her side. Sara’s daughters were part of the wedding party. After the couples vows were read Jason had a surprise for the girls. Not only did he have vows and a ring for Sara, but also for them.

His vows:

“I know I wasn’t there for the first steps that you took, but I promise that from this day forward I will love and support you…”

The details of this wedding were centered around this great couple’s Love. Sara and Jason, with the help of the girls, even made their wedding cake from scratch. Formal pictures were taken just down the road at a huntcamp location with fields, rustic buildings, and even an old bus stop! LUCKY US…. the photo ops were endless!

Thank you for letting us share your special day with you… We wish Sara, Jason, the girls, and the new little bundle (coming this year) the best future possible.

 

Vendors:

Hair: Signature Styles by Tia

Make Up: Chantal Smith – Beauty Secrets

Dress: David’s Bridal – Florida

Bridesmaid Dresses: David’s Bridal – Ottawa

Flowers: Handmade by Mother of the Bride

Men’s wear: Express

Rings: People’s Jewellers

Wedding Favors: Antique Key Bottle Openers- The Wedding Shop

Caterer: Leather Works

Wedding Cake: Made with Love buy Sara, Raya and Alyssa, lovingly supervised by Jason.

Jason & Melissa Say I Do…A Family Affair!

I am going to start off this blog with a quote from Lisa:

“Jenn and I love what we do…we say that all the time!  We think every wedding we shoot is special, and we are really so honoured that we have been invited to be a part of a couples most special day.  However, being part of Jason and Melissa’s wedding was even more special since it was a family wedding!  Not only did Jenn and I get a front row seat for this amazing day but we are so lucky to welcome Jason’s beautiful bride Melissa into the family! ”

This day was clearly so abundantly special. Both of my brothers were groomsmen in this wedding, one being Lisa’s hubby. The entire day had such a high energy feel as we took photo’s. I have to say that Melissa and Jason are two of the most laid back people I have ever met. Their LOVE for one another is so real and present in every conversation, picture, and memory of the day. There was never any need to be stressed or worried about anything… One part of the day just flowed into the next as wedding day unfolded.

The girl’s got ready at Melissa’s Parent’s home, which also was where the ceremony was later held. I stayed with Lisa and took photo’s for awhile and then headed off to grab some pre- wedding shots of the groomsmen in Eganville at the couple’s home.  I think at many times I was holding my camera “snapping away” with one hand and doing up buttons, fixing ties, collars, suspenders etc. with the other! I definitely witnessed some laugh’s as the boys had a few beer to celebrate the occasion. And this may be the only time of the entire day when I could see some “nerves” present. Jason was definitely feeling a few nerves for a couple brief moments during the “getting ready”.   It was such an honour for both of us to be so involved in the pre- ceremony events.

When returning to the ceremony site, I remember feeling butterflies thinking about what Melissa would look like… and honestly when I saw her come around the corner…. I was speechless. She was even more breathtakingly beautiful then I had thought she would be. And I already had high expectations!!!!  The dress was so perfect for her!  The couple shared their vows in front of their closest family and friends.  Melissa even had some tears during hers!!!! It was beautiful! Their was a sand ceremony to mark the couple’s union. Pastor Annette did an amazing job at describing the love these two had for each other and all other parts of the ceremony.

After the ceremony formals took place on the same property. It was full of rustic gardens and had a waterfront view. We also did some formals at a property close by that was an open field in front of a beautiful landscape of water and rolling hills.  The ring bearer and flower girl were so full of personality and were very cooperative with all of the business of the day. The little ring bearer was absolutely a riot and always made us work very hard to get the perfect shot. What he didn’t realize was that all of the little faces he was making were  wonderfully cute memories to have as well.

The Bride’s parents were so accommodating throughout the day, and I know they put so much work into the ceremony and  cocktail hour(s) to follow. Melissa’s dad was even mowing grass the morning of the wedding to make sure everything looked perfect.. and that it did!!! Great Job to both families and all of the friends that helped bring the day together!

The reception was held at the Eganville arena, and was quite a sight to see. The lime green and raspberry colours transformed the hall. There were (what seemed like)  an infinite number of trees lit up with twinkling lights. During the first dance we could really see the intimate bond between these two individuals.  We often tell the bride and groom at every wedding that they need to look at each other during the first dance so we can get some shots using different lighting techniques etc. When I told Jason this he said ” I won’t be looking anywhere else because that is the only place I want to look”.  This couple was perfectly matched for one another.

We would like to note that Sidewinder was the entertainment for the evening and did an amazing job!

To the Bride and Groom:  We wish you the best future filled with as much Love as we witnessed on your Special Wedding Day. Lisa and I  are very lucky that in this case we get to watch your future unfold. CONGRATS!