April Wild Photo

Sometimes, while looking through my camera lens and focusing on the beautiful scene in front of me, I get swept up in the sweetest nostalgia. It only happens under certain conditions. And it is one of my favourite experiences as a photographer. It's that feeling I get when a childhood friend- someone who has shared some of my most special long ago memories- resurfaces into my life and invites me to photograph her precious day.

My heart is reliving memories of the two of us as young teens- the way we would laugh and dream at summer camp… All while racing with the rest of our friends to the lake for a swim or canoeing antics. Life was simple and carefree and adulthood felt so far away.

That's what made shooting Rochelle's marriage to her best friend Kenny so incredibly poignant. I kept picturing the happy go lucky 16 year old Rochelle. And it made me feel like I too was still 16. Yet I would never change the fact that we both are now women just a little more than ten years older. And it made me just so excited to experience how lovely Rochelle has become- how absolutely in love, and how beautiful, radiant and excited about her future she is with Kenny at her side. It just felt so incredibly right.

Rochelle and Kenny met while they were students at the University of Guelph. Kenny fell for her adorable kindness and charm, and Rochelle thought Kenny the most loveable, handsome goofball she had ever laid her eyes upon.

Their wedding was held on a gorgeous June day in Delhi, Ontario… not too far from their farm and newly renovated farmhouse. The girls got ready there while the boys were just down the road at Kenny's parents' farm. (Isn't that the best? Farming families know how to do life right.)

I am sure I can speak for all of the wedding guests when I say that the ceremony location was a dream. The white washed old church at Cranberry Creek Gardens served as an epic outdoor backdrop, and afterwards where refreshments were offered indoors. The setting was simply stunning, but even more so were the people. There was so much love, laughter and... lighthearted goofiness. The wedding party was such fun to work with. The photos are proof of that!

Rochelle and Kenny's property and barns made an amazing reception venue. Sometimes in the midst of capturing these pictures I could literally feel the dreams for the future that this couple were cherishing in their hearts. Celebrating your most special day on the very ground where you will live, work hard, raise a family, and build a strong home must have felt very surreal to put into words.

Hopefully if it is true that a picture is worth a thousand words, these sneak peeks will begin to tell the tale.

I am so happy for you both. Thank you for inviting me to capture these moments. You are such a beautiful couple and I know your future will be a happy one. You are perfect for each other.

What the world needs now is a little more magic, a lot more reminders of the power of romance, waiting, love, family, and… please also throw in some old time fiddle music to really drive this message home the way only fiddle music can! Allow me to share with you the heartwarming story of Devan and Tyler.

To say that both grew up in talented music families would be an understatement. Each have graced the stages of Canadian festivals and multiple other venues with their siblings and family members since they were youngsters, winning awards and the hearts of their communities and fans all along the way. The Beckett and Ballagh families’ names have become synonymous with family entertainment, glorious music, and fast and fancy highland dancing footwork. No wonder these families were close friends. Living just one hour apart, their kids grew up together, and by 16, young Devan felt something deep in her heart about the already in his 20’s Tyler- she was going to marry that man someday. And she tucked that away in her heart.

She didn’t tell him that for almost ten more years- not until the dream had been awakened and the timing was finally right and their paths crossed again as adults in all the right ways. And it made perfect, wild and wonderful sense. I love how life does that for amazing people like these two. Their entire wedding day was a celebration beyond which I have ever experienced as a photographer. You know when two families are just meant to be officially declared one. And did I say there were fiddles too? Sigh.

Devan and Tyler were married on December 8th, 2018 with a smattering of snow on the ground, and Christmas on the horizon. Supported by a wedding party full of siblings and friends, the ceremony was held in a greenery festooned century old church in Teeswater, Ontario. The excitement was palpable; Tyler and Devan are deeply loved in the community and their story a fairy tale. And Devan looked like an absolute princess. Poised, stunningly beautiful, and sparkling with excitement. Tyler- holding back his tears when he saw his bride walking towards him down the aisle. We were all enraptured. These two, so used to being on stage and performing for others later expressed in their speeches how different this feeling was for them. This beautiful day was about the two of them letting down their guard with a freedom to be themselves, immersed in the power of family and friends affirming what is truly real in life- love, commitment and forever.

And of course, the music that day made it all the more splendid! Devan’s sister, Paige composed a song for the couple, performing it during the ceremony accompanied by family. Live music was everywhere that day, providing a backdrop for story telling, warm embraces, and dream telling for the future.

Devan’s bridesmaids carried Christmas lanterns and wore woollen cloaks over sage green gowns, reminding me of a scene from the set of Pride and Prejudice. Tyler and his groomsmen were dashing in their grey suits and ties to match the girls’ dresses. The joy on all of their faces and captured in these photos speaks volumes about who all these folks are.

Photos taken in the snow are romantic. I’m glad the day was a proper winter one and that it only emphasized the love and warmth of everyone there. Tyler and Devan’s reception was held at the Cargill Community Centre and was truly both captivating in décor and heartwarming from start to finish.

The best- the absolutely best part of it from behind the lens was capturing the fun. Especially the part when Devan’s carefully planned wedding dance “flash mob” for 14 people, became unbeknownst to her and secretly planned by her bridesmaids- a much bigger rehearsed affair when about 70 guests joined in- in perfect step and harmony! If you know these families, you will know that this was just so them.

The future is incredibly full of opportunities for this talented pair. But what makes it all that much more exciting- and inspiring- is that their wedding day pointed directly and clearly at faith, family, and love as being the ultimate foundation.

I was truly blessed to be there and to have the privilege of capturing even some of these moments of love and inspiration. Devan and Tyler, keep shining for us all. Thank you for being you.