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a wedding in a backyard near Dresden Ontario~
i don't know how to begin this blog post, because there are just so many things that keep popping into my head about this wedding and how i feel about this couple! i'm finding it difficult to put it all into words.
please bear with me as i try to muddle my way through all of this.
today, eric & lesley are dear to my heart, but i didn't know them until they contacted me about documenting their wedding.
i have a confession to make......
you see, i grow attached to my clients, and when they get married, it just makes me smile from the inside out! i put every ounce of my being into my work, i try to make it personal and truly capture the essence and emotions of the bride and groom, and i grow attached.
when total strangers let me into their lives , like Lesley has, and allow me to get to know them even just a little bit, then i can't help but get all mushy about their FABULOUS wedding and all the lovey-dovey stuff of marriage.
not only has Lesley been sooooooooooo much fun to work with, but she took me purse and shoe shopping when i met her for lunch in Ottawa in June, and well........ that put me over the edge. i kinda (in a wee, small little way) like shoes and purses.
Eric & Lesley met on the train, Eric pursued Lesley with everything he had in him, Lesley was eventually won over BIGTIME, and they have been together ever since.
seriously? meeting on the train? awesome.
these two live in the Ottawa area, but they celebrated their wedding at Eric's family farm near Chatham.
it was the most charming wedding i've been to yet, mostly because of all the little touches of home and the effort of the community to make this an event to remember. jars of flowers grown in the neighbour's yard adorned the tables, homemade tarts for dessert, friends who fixed up their farms so that we could have beautiful locations to shoot photos, a tractor ride to the reception ,a local band to help this crowd party through the night, Eric's dad and his 'SURPRISE' wheel barrel of fireworks at 10:30pm, pulled pork sandwiches and potato salad for dinner, and the love and laughter of family and friends.
oh, and when you have a father that will dance AND do 'air guitar' at the same time, you know that you're having a great wedding. just sayin' !
the only downside to the day, was that i fell off the road when i was walking back to the reception after shooting bridal party photos. yep, i fell OFF the road!
i was walking along the road, carrying all my camera gear, minding my own business, when all of a sudden i twisted my ankle on the side of the road (which is at least 2 inches higher than the gravel shoulder) , and i found myself flat on the ground in a big cloud of dust, camera gear and all. first i looked to make sure that no one saw me (check), and then i limped back the to the tent. oh, did i hurt my knee!!! it's still purple and scraped, but oh well, i'm a clutz sometimes.
Eric & Lesley......
words cannot describe how thankful i am that you chose me to not only document your wedding, but to be a part of your lives. your joy, laughter, super-fun nature, and love for each other is contagious, and i am so grateful to have been a part of it all. i know that the next year will be a challenge with Eric being deployed, but you have such a great network of friends and family that will support you and hold you up until you can be together again.
my sincerest wish is that you have a lifetime of joy and happiness together!
thank you so much for everything.
here are a few photos from the big day!
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lesley + eric + wedding ~ chatham ontario
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i met with these two lovebirds last year, when the met me at a local Starbucks and they open their lives to me, and shared the story of their love.
true love.
i'm a sucker for a good love story, and one that begins in childhood & in the teen years, blossoms into something real and adult, and then culminates in a wedding, is.......
moving, touching, awesome, a gift from God, real.
real.
not without struggles, challenges and hard work, this love story has been through it all, and has arrived at the other side stronger and God-centered.
beautiful.
this wedding day was a bit different than normal, since it started out in Windsor, and then became a cross border event. the reception was being held at the Dearborn Inn in Dearborn MI, and i was excited to get the chance to check out another wedding venue! i do have to say, that i've been very blessed to be photographing weddings that aren't all at the same venue, which gives me the chance to experience new things and have a wedding adventure every weekend!
i'm just an adventurous kinda gal :)
let's see...... what kind of stuff happened on their big day.
well, there was the fact that i got to watch the groomsmen iron their shirts, which was great, because i always enjoy seeing men tackling domestic chores.
Matt was gifted with some ROCKING cufflinks, which were little mini yellow Jeeps!! fabulous!
i didn't get pulled over at the border, and actually got through really quickly, so that was great because i didn't have to get all ninja on a border guard (i wasn't going to miss this wedding, no matter what).
ok, i might not have got all ninja on the border guys...... it would have more than likely looked like big-baby tears.
i'm ashamed.
back on track now.....
when we headed out to take some photos of the bridal party, we were ATTACKED by throngs of mosquitoes!! it was INSANE!
luckily, i was surrounded by videographers that seemed to have sweeter blood than i, so they took the brunt of the attack.
according to Matt, God put an old Jeepster Jeep in the parking lot, just for us, so that we could get some photos near a cool car. he was a happy groom.
Christine had two surprises for Matt, which were a cool Jeep groom's cake (i LOVED it) and she also sang for him later in the evening. very romantic.
hmmmmmm..... looking back, i see that this was quite the Jeep centered wedding!! fun stuff!
i would like to take a moment and thank Matt & Christine for allowing me to be a part of their lives. you two are some of the most lovely people i know, and i am so thrilled to have been able to witness such an important moment in your lives. you are both funny, loving, and gracious, and i smile every time i think of you both.
i can't wait to see what awesome things God does in your lives, as your journey as a couple and a family begins.
very exciting stuff!!
God is good.
Michelle Bondy:
Michele, these are gorgeous. Such creative shots and I always love the candid shots.
(06.25.10)
amy:
these are gorgeous!!! love the candid shots!! great job on these they look so happy coming down the aisle!!
(06.25.10)
amie leigh artistry:
wonderful work! love how you captured all those candid moments!
(06.25.10)
Newcastle & Hunter Valley weddings and protraits :: Xanthe Roxburgh:
Fantastic mix of sweet/subdued and having fun images.
(07.07.10)
Steve Campbell:
Matt, I saw your grandmother at camp and she gave me this web link. Congratulations to you both! We are so pleased along with you that God has brought you to this point. Enjoy the ups and downs of married life!
Warm Christian love, Steve and Susie Campbell
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christine + matt + wedding ~ windsor ontario & dearborn michigan
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some wedding photography~
this past weekend, i had the pleasure of documenting Melissa & Steve's wedding here in Windsor.
i have to start my post by saying that it was was FLIPPIN' HOT outside on Saturday, and i found out that with the humidity (i think it was about 80-90%) it felt like over 110F !!
the other problem was, that it was an outdoor ceremony and it was surrounded by trees, so no breeze!!
i think i almost died 3 times during the day (i don't do heat/humidity well, and never have). if there had been a pool close by, i wouldn't have put it past us all to just jump right in and cool off!!
ok, enough whining and complaining. i'll get on with the post now.
i met Melissa last summer, when she and her mother drove out to Kingsville to meet with me about photographing the big day. i instantly fell in love with Melissa, and both her and her mom kept me in stitches during our whole meeting!! i couldn't remember when i'd laughed so hard!!
i couldn't wait for their wedding (and i can't believe that it's been a year since we met).
in October, i photographed Steve & Melissa's engagement session just before the leaves all fell for the season, and it was a blast.
steve & melissa like a good party, and i don't think their wedding disappointed. they were surrounded by good friends, awesome family, and a good mood that just wouldn't quit!
the day started at Steve's place, where the guys were in great spirits even though they knew that wearing a tuxedo in the sweltering heat might be the end of them.
at Melissa's parent's place, the party continued with mugs of champagne, some tears of joy, and HOT PINK Louboutin shoes!!! i love fabulous shoes!!!
the ceremony was held outdoors at Branteaney's Bed & Breakfast, and it was a beautiful service that was the shortest i've ever witnessed (which was probably a good thing for the guests in suits in that heat). i think i am now a huge fan of Branteaney's. it was such a nice change from an indoor ceremony, and the setting was serene and beautiful. other than the clouds of mosquitos (because of all the rain we've had recently) , it was picture perfect.
i didn't want to spend too much time outdoors if at all possible, because when the bride and groom have to towel each other off before each photo, you know it's too hot . we fought through the heat and a few rain showers, and got some photos on the picturesque grounds. i couldn't believe how everyone was being so wonderful and patient, but i did work quickly.
next came the air-conditioned party bus, the nicely air-conditioned bar in downtown Windsor, and the air-conditioned reception hall (Torino's in Tecumseh)
gotta love the invention of AIR-CONDITIONING!!!
oh, and i love that cold water and gingerale were invented too :)
the reception was a party to remember, and the first time that i've ever met a blow-up doll named Alejandro. he was quite the party animal!
i want to thank Steve & Melissa for letting me party with them all day long, it was a blast!! you have both been so much fun to work with, and it was an honour to be a part of your big day. i will forever remember Alejandro, the fact that i worked with a groom with quite a few rapper names, and a bride that is courageous and stylish enough to sport Christian Louboutin shoes in HOT PINK!!
you two are such a great couple, and i hope that our paths cross again very soon.
hugs to you both.
some fabulous vendors~
gown~ Bridal Couture, Windsor
make-up~ Esthetica Day Spa, Windsor
hair~ Youseff's Salon, Windsor
flowers~ Oak Farms, Leamington
ceremony ~ Branteaney's Bed & Breakfast, Lasalle
officiant~ Joe McParland, Civil Marriages
shoes~ Christian Louboutin
reception hall~ Tourino's Banquet Hall, Tecumseh
photo booth~ Perfect Shutter Photobooth
cake~ Renee's Fine Cakes
decorator~ Windsor Event Decor
DJ ~ A. Donavan Mariani, Open Air Events, Windsor
now for some photos!!!
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melissa + steve + wedding ~ windsor ontario
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as i got to talk with this lovely young lady, i quickly realized that she was pretty awesome and i think we clicked right away. she knew that i was just getting my photography business up and running, and she needed a 2nd photographer for some weddings last year, so we hooked up and it was the beginning of a great relationship.
Arica Ingratta is younger than i am (by about 15 years i think.... man, that makes me sound old), but she is a fabulous artist and wonderful photographer in Windsor (her company is Manifesto Photography) . even though she is younger than i am, i was seriously impressed with her maturity and her love for God and serving Him. i couldn't wait to work with this great lady.
not long after the two of us met, Arica approached me one day and asked what i thought of this guy Josh. you see, i have known Josh for about 8 years now. i met Josh's parents when we started attending Heritage Park Alliance Church, and i think Josh was just finishing up high school or something. Josh's family are some of the dearest people around, and his dad can scale a tree faster than anyone i've ever met (it's quite amazing actually).
Arica seemed to have a little crush on Josh, and mentioned that they had gone out for coffee one night. i told her my opinions about this great guy and his family, and she seemed pretty intent on seeing him again.
because i got to work alongside Arica week after week, wedding after wedding, and we spent all day together shooting these weddings , i was able to hear about her budding romance and watch as the love between this couple blossomed and grew.
it was pretty evident early on, that God had set up this match, because the more Josh & Arica sought after God, then closer and closer they became.
i just loved seeing the sparkle in Arica's eye every time she talked about Josh, how he made her laugh and how he loved her so very deeply. they challenged each other on every level, and it was just so wonderful to watch this all unfold before my very eyes!!!
i am very blessed to be deeply in love with the most awesome man on the planet, and our love for each other grows deeper and deeper as the years go by. every time Arica spoke of her love for Josh, i just knew that it was the same type of love that i feel for Darryl even after all these years, and i couldn't have been happier for the two of them.
everyone deserves this kind of true and deep love with their spouse!!
last weekend, i had the honour of photographing Arica & Josh's wedding, in a log cabin at the top of some mountain in Tennessee (can you say, scary road?). it was quite the media circus, since Arica's good friend Stacey is a wedding photographer as well , and we were joined by the videography services of Iris and Light (from California). there were 4 of us with cameras, trying to NOT get in each other's way, and it made me chuckle a bit!! i think we were all pretty great and didn't get in each other's way too much, and i know that i was pretty thrilled to have so much creative talent around me. the only trouble is, that when you have so many artists trying to document such an amazing wedding, in such a fabulous location with such great people, you MIGHT end up being an hour late for dinner.
just sayin'.
the whole wedding was perfect from start to finish.
Arica & Josh were surrounded by the people they love most in the world, they made sure that their wedding was centered around God, through lots of prayer and worship, and i was deeply moved.
i have never photographed the wedding of a close friend before, and i do have to admit that it was challenging in a few ways.
first, the pressure to take great photos is pretty high, especially when the bride is a photographer herself, and secondly, because you are emotionally involved.
there are so many times that i was just crying, hiding it all behind my big camera, as i watched love unfolding!!! i got so carried away in the moment, that i would forget that i was even working, and i just found myself wrapped up in all the awesomeness of what God was doing. it was almost too much to take!!!
you know what?
i actually find that watching parents crying is the biggest thing that sets me off with my own tears. i can't take it!!
i guess i am imagining what it'll be like when my own kids get married and start their own lives.
oh great, i'm tearing up even now. how embarrassing!!
here are a few photos (ok, a bit more than a few) of Arica & Josh's special day.
i wish them all the happiness in the world, and i want to thank them for asking me to help document their wedding.
Arica, you are truly one of a kind, and the best wedding date around. i have been blessed to have you in my life, and i will always remember your sneaky-sneaky face as you steal cannoli from the dessert table, before dinner. i loved being your shield from the crowd.
Josh, you are truly a man of God, and i know that you will treat Arica with all the love and respect that she deserves.
thank you both for allowing me to be a part of your lives.
Brandon- Alaska Wedding Photographer:
Details, getting ready, portraits...all amazing. I just love all of your shots...especially the last one.
(06.01.10)
Birmingham Wedding Photographer:
Love the detail shots...the color is esp nice. Great job!
(06.02.10)
Milla:
GORGEOUS job Michele. I love the portraits of the two of them... awesome, awesome job.
(06.09.10)
Andy | Devon Photographer:
Its amazing to see these kind of shots only a talented hands can do simply a masterpiece dude.
(07.16.10)
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arica & josh | a windsor wedding photographer in Tennessee
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last fall, i met up with Gil & Kathy in Belle River, to discuss the possibility of traveling with them to Mexico in May, to document their destination wedding.
we hit it off, and i was thrilled that they asked me to join them, on what would be my very first destination wedding. of course, i was thrilled that Playa del Carmen just happens to be on the ocean ( the bestest thing EVER), but i was even more thrilled that i would get to have an adventure alongside two awesome people & their families!!
by the way..... going away to get married, next to the ocean and with just a handful of people, is a FABULOUS decision!!!
that's my public service announcement of the day.
oh, and if you're looking to get a dog, buy a hairless one. my house looks like a couple of dogs exploded all over it (not that this has anything to do with weddings, but it's on my mind and i just thought i'd share).
last Monday morning, i boarded a plane for Cancun, and started my journey to Mexico! did you know that shooting a wedding abroad requires quite a bit of advance planning and lots of gear!!
also, when you plan to go scuba diving as well as all the camera gear, it looked like i was MOVING to Mexico, not just staying for a few days.
(in my defense though, i was also heading to Tennessee on my way back from Mexico, to photograph my friend Arica's wedding).
i arrived in Cancun to the longest immigration line in the HISTORY of immigration lines, but after that it was much more relaxing.
the resort i stayed at, was The Royal Playa del Carmen and it was INSANE luxurious! i mean it when i say INSANE!!!
i was especially fond of the extra soft pillows that arrived in my 'magic box' (room service box) and the turn-down service every night. i think i need to pay my kids to turn down my bed for me at night, light a scented candle, and leave chocolates on my pillow. yep, that would be sweet!!
unfortunately, the weather wasn't quite as awesome as the people and the location, and it pretty much rained every day, all day, for most of the week. luckily, the rain stopped long enough for the ceremony to be outdoors, but quickly started up again and Kathy, Gil & i had to run for cover while we were doing some beach shots. oh well, it was hot, we were being spoiled, and i was near the ocean. who needs the sun anyways?
i want to take a moment to thank Gil & Kathy for your hospitality, for bringing me along to photograph your wedding, and for opening up your lives and your hearts to me. i loved having that fantastic meal with the both of you (we totally should have ordered more lamb chops) and
i was so happy that you were both so easy going and flexible with all the rain issues!!
Gil, i'm sorry that i didn't have time to give you more body surfing tips, but the waves kinda sucked that day!!
now, here are a few photos of our little adventure!
this was our first attempt at a beach session before the wedding. it started thunderstorming about 5 minutes after this photo was taken
we finally got a day without rain (my last day there) and i was able to get this awesome couple out for some day-after beach photos!!
Kathy Borovicka:
Love the pictures!!!
(05.30.10)
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kathy & gil { playa del carmen wedding photography}
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I absolutely LOVE her bouquets These pictures are so precious and it looks like the wedding was sooo much fun!!
(07.08.10)I LOVE the Massy Ferguson Emblem with the rings, as a farm girl....love, love, love it. Great job.
(07.08.10)She has the most beautiful smile!! Love it!!! Great job Michelle!
(07.08.10)Great images of a fun day! The man "playing the guitar" cracked me up! Great shots!
(07.08.10)Wow, she is seriously beautiful. And you are so very talented momma :) Great job and awesome looking wedding :)
(07.08.10)Fantastic job Michele! You did such justice to capturing the essence of the day and everyone's personalities. Thank you for the chance to relive last weekend! You are truly talented and Lesley is so lucky to have found you! (And of course we are so lucky my brother found her on the train)
(07.09.10)Y'all are killing me with the lovely comments! I cannot stop looking at these pics. Michele's talent is so incredibly special. She just knows how to capture and make even more beautiful those moments that just draw you in. Thank you from the bottom of my heart! Eric's too!
(07.10.10)What a great day! What great memories are captured here! I'm so bummed Brent and I were not there to share in the experience. Especially to see Eric's dad playing air guitar! These pics are the bomb.
(07.12.10)Wow, guys... Beautiful, beautiful. The photos are amazing, so touching. For a brief second, I felt I was there sharing it with you. I so wish I could have been. Lesley, you're a knock out. Eric, handsome as ever. You look so happy! Congratulations.
(07.14.10)