Robin & Dennis, Northern Ontario Wedding Sneak Peek

Before our newlyweds from last weekend sneak away for their honeymoon, we wanted to post a little something.  We've known these two as a couple almost as long as we've known Robin.  They're so easygoing and are very fun people to be around.  Since they love the outdoors so much, Laurentian Lodge was the perfect setting for them to marry and celebrate with almost 200 friends and family.  These two met fighting forest fires in Northern Ontario, and 8 years, several cities, roommates, and degrees later, it all came together.

    

All day, Dennis was saying how lucky he is and how gorgeous Robin is.

It was the sweetest, and she makes such a lovely bride!

It was an amazing weekend, a beautiful start to a beautiful marriage.

Debb and Sydney-the Sneak Peek! Ottawa Wedding Photography

Before we head off to Laurentian Lodge for a wedding weekend, we couldn't wait to share just a few with you from this lovely ladies' wedding.  Debb & Sydney had their wedding at their home surrounded by their beautiful gardens.  

They came down the aisle to a backyard of all their friends and family singing Happy Together by the Turtles, led by a talented friend, Pat Moore, on guitar.  The feeling was warm, sweet and absolutely wonderful, continuing through the ceremony (by Keith Langille) into the evening.  

Debb & Sydney truly wanted only to host  a great night for each other and their loved ones with lots of delicious food, drink and a very good time for everyone.  Even their photography they wanted to be focused on their guests instead of them, on the people they love and laugh with easily.  Congratulations you two!

'Imagine me and you, I do, I think about you day and night, it's only right

To think about the girl you love and hold her tight, So happy together

I can't see me lovin' nobody but you, For all my life
When you're with me, baby the skies'll be blue, For all my life'

Have a look at a couple more shots from Darcy on his tumblr blog, thelyleproject. I love how soft and gorgeous they are!

Love is in the Air

Spring Weddings are now making room for Summer Weddings, so we got together with our friend Wendy from Thimblecakes recently.  She does a fantastic job with cupcake towers and wedding cakes and she's at the top of our list of favourite neighbours!

A friend of mine has a lovely vintage engagement ring and graciously let us show it off a little in a photoshoot.  She will be marrying her man later this summer, and will be using the simple and sweet flower, shown above, in her bouquet.  Thanks for the inspiration L.

More photos to share from this later in the summer....

Love at City Hall

A little while ago we had the pleasure of meeting Ratko & Karolina as they wed on a wintry Friday afternoon at City Hall.  It was sweet & intimate, with their two closest friends by their sides and a charming, gracious officiant. 

With enough winter light still pouring through the windows we took some time for photos before heading to the Byward Market to celebrate at Mangia.  The cozy restaurant was perfectly suited for the memorable evening, with a romantic, sophisticated setting with soft lighting and the glow of candlelight.  

Our heartfelt Congratulations and Best Wishes to Ratko & Karolina!

Natalie & Darcy

Happy Anniversary

Here's a more personal post sending a little love to one of our favourite couples.  Shari & Michael were married in Cuba 2 years ago on the same day they started dating 11 years ago.  As very close friends of ours, their wedding was one of our favourites, and Shari has become my unofficial 'poster girl' (you've seen her in our wedbyhand post, or our facebook profile photo, or the site,the list goes on).

Another Happy Note:  Their wonderful daughter Imogen, who lights up rooms wherever she goes with her beautiful smiling face, was 6 months old yesterday.  We met with them for a session while in Thunder Bay and I will be able to share a little more of that with you next week.    Can I just say how sad it is that I'm all the way across the province and don't get to be around this little one more often?  She is pure joy!

Immy at 7 weeks visiting Ottawa

Being cute at Norma Jean's Diner

Sending love to the two of you (with kisses for Imogen).  Nat and Darcy

Ottawa Winter Weddings, and Wedding Shows

It's been another busy week here, but definitely a lot of fun.  I'm not sure I believe that winter is much of an off-season for weddings, nor should it be.  With some couples taking advantage of the gorgeous sparkling snow and lovely landscape (or the sunny destinations to travel to to say their vows), the rest are planning theirs with flurries of inquiries and trips to wedding shows.

I've spent time this week visualizing scenes for tomorrow's wedding at Ottawa's City Hall and Downtown shoot, wrapping up some work for University of Ottawa, while preparing for Ottawa's hot new Wedding Show, Wedbyhand.  There were a few extra things to order so they would arrive by Feb 6th, and Sunday was the soiree at Mambo for the vendors and sponsors.  

As tends to happen, there wasn't enough time to chat with everyone, but I really enjoyed meeting the ladies from Auntie Loo's Treats, Sarah from PurpleUrchinSoap, and Danielle of Six. Modern Paper Goods, who's actually from my neck of the woods in NorthWesternOntario (see her post here).  It was great to talk with Vanessa as another photographer and Amy of Splendid Events was an absolute pleasure to be around with a site every soon-to-be-wed couple should check out.  I can't wait to see what Kate (Flights of Fancy) has to show us, she's got such style.  It was truly a room full of incredible, talented ladies.  I love the warmth and sense of community.  I'm looking forward to meeting the rest of you as it gets closer to the show!

In it's second year, Wedbyhand is the show to be at to meet Ottawa's local, handmade, eco-friendly wedding experts.  I will post more info about the show soon, but tomorrow morning you can find out more on the A Morning Show!  (Tune in for about 8:45 am, Friday) 

The Newlyweds, One Week Later

Our New Year's Eve was spent in the company of Sandra and Enzo, a very special way to end 2010 and usher in the coming year.  It was a lovely wedding, and even the chaos leading up to the ceremony was light and fun (the wedding party included 5 grandchildren).

The evening came, with the light fading just as the solarium was filled with the couple's friends and family, soft twinkle lights and candles lighting the ceremony.  The evening was informal, without a head table or speeches, only table after table of old friends and new, celebrating with comfort food, wine and laughter. There were loads of treats (the kids made a few good recommendations as to which were the favourites, and which cupcake they thought best), and then warm hugs and smiles all around at the countdown to 2011.  

They were beaming and joyful, laughing, talking and dancing with their guests all through the evening.

It was a wonderful way to celebrate what's to come, especially for Sandra & Enzo.  

More photos will follow, but here is a quick one of the newlyweds before the ceremony.  Sandra was such a gorgeous, beaming bride that she was able to keep Enzo out for nearly 10 minutes instead of 2, for some Winter Wedding Photos.  No small feat with icy winds in -20 weather!

And I couldn't resist posting another shot from the evening: