William II

Just playing with this picture and poem.

Nataliya and Greg

I'm thinking about restricting my wedding business to Ukrainian weddings - just kidding. But
there's a lot to love about a Ukrainian wedding, even before the perogies. So glad I live in Alberta.

When Nataliya and Greg told me they were having their ceremony at St. Josephat's, I was thrilled.

Here is Natalia, looking like a princess, waiting to go into the Cathedral.

Inside - I can't even begin to describe how beautiful it is.

The details are stunning.

The ceremony was beautiful. They are kneeling on an embroidered rushnyk.

After the Crowning, the Priest led Nataliya and Greg around the tetrapod three times, performing the Dance of Isaiah.

A few details:

Three generations.

Syncing pocket watches - Greg's gift to his best man (and himself).

Princess dress and princess flowers.

The weather was perfect for pictures, and the North Saskatchewan co-operated by being a lovely shade of aqua.

Closer up.

Formals with Nataliya and Greg's best people, Matthew and Melinda.

Natalia and Greg took dancing lessons before their wedding. They'd not practised while Natalia was in a dress, so they danced around the gazebo at Louise McKinney park a few times. Greg cuts a very dashing figure.

A quiet moment before the festivities.

Thank you for inviting me to share your day Nataliya and Greg.

William

You might remember Caitlin and Scott (and here) who were married last year.

They've just had a baby boy - William. He is adorable.

I love this picture. It reminds me of one of my favourite poems On Children, by Kahlil Gilbran.

The last stanza:

You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth.

The archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite,

and He bends you with His might that His arrows may go swift and far.

Let our bending in the archer's hand be for gladness;

For even as He loves the arrow that flies, so He loves also the bow that is stable.

Scott has a tattoo on one arm with Caitlin's name, and for William, he's had another tattoo - baby blocks with William's name and date of birth. Love it.

So sweet. And, are babies supposed to be able to roll onto their backs at 2 months? Because William can!

A sweet funny face.

I love the contrast of sweet babies with their strong daddy's hands.

Congratulations Caitlin and Scott. William is wonderful.

Jodi and Brent - the wedding

I have so many great images from this wedding, I had a hard time narrowing down the pictures to blog.


When I saw Jodi when she arrived at the church, I took one look at her and said "you are going to cry, aren't you?" She begged me to make funny faces at her so she wouldn't. I tried, I really did! But here she is, walking down the isle with her dad, and her mom handing her Kleenex, because the tears had already started.





After Jodi and Brent's beautiful ceremony, we headed to the lake for a few shots. Here is the wonderful couple (and awâsis, inside).





Jodi's best and most gorgeous girls. Spot the awâsis. Actually, spot where the awâsis are not! (And, do you have any idea how many ways there are to refer to a child in Cree?)





The brotherhood! All family, all awesome. Brent is a good people, and has good friends to prove it.







Jodi's dad cleared an old farmstead for our picture taking - how cool is that!? Doesn't Brent make a great farmer?

We saw a vulture while doing this set of pictures, which at first gave me pause, because I am big into animal symbolism (and they are a little creepy). I did a little googling. In Egyptian, the hieroglyph for Mother, is the same as that for vulture. Very appropriate. And, in traditional American cultures, the vulture is the symbol for renewal, cleansing and transformation. I think that is a perfect symbol for Jodi and Brent's wedding.

After the formal photos, we returned to the Dion home. Jodi's dad had commissioned a tipi for the traditional Cree ceremony. Jodi is Big Bear's great-granddaughter.

The baby bears represent Brent and Jodi.

Often, ceremonies are not allowed to be photographed, but after their ceremony, we got some great shots of Jodi and Brent inside the tipi.

My favourite of the day.

Lovely

and handsome.

Ok. Maybe this is my favourite - from the reception.

When I did Jodi and Brent's engagement session, I knew they were magic. This wedding just confirmed it.

Jodi and Brent - thank you so much for inviting me to share your beautiful day and for your family's wonderful hospitality. Can't wait to meet your awasis!

Michelle and Johan

Michelle was one of the chill-est brides I have met. Nothing was worth stressing about - it was a pleasure to photograph her wedding to Johan. They had their ceremony at her parent's house in the backyard.


Everyone looks so happy!

We did Michelle and Johan's formal photos at "Say I Do In the Garden". Its an absolutely stunning garden near Ardrossan, owned by Arlene Birmingham, who was also their marriage commissioner.

Michelle and Johan love to golf together, and Arlene has a putting green set up at the gardens, which made for some great sets.

Poor Michelle, cursed/blessed with a gorgeous set of dimples.

Johan, looking dapper.

Arlene's husband arrived while we were shooting in his super cool car, which he invited us to use as a backdrop.

A great shot of Michelle, Laura and Tina - best friends since school.

The bouquets were simple and beautiful, and I loved the ribbon they used for the ties.

A beautiful shot of Michelle and Johan in the gardens.

Congratulations you two! Thank you for inviting me to share your day with you.