“Brittany you look beautiful” Brittany’s mom Sue spoke in almost a whisper.

“…and you were mine first…”

Brittany’s eyes lock with Sue’s in the hustle of wedding preparations, and they both smile that same closed mouth, lips turned up, quiet smile, that because of genetics or possibly a lifetime together mirrors the other. I can only wonder what Sue is thinking; if she is remembering tying Britt’s shoes before her first day of kindergarden, or if she thinks back to when she waited up on the couch sipping tea as Brittany broke curfew at sixteen. Maybe my imagination is limited by where I believe my own mother’s thoughts might go on her daughter’s wedding day.

The day rolled on and together the girls headed up the mountain where Brittany would meet Mike, and above the city of Collingwood they would start life together. Sue stood in front of the couple at the start of the ceremony, and like any mother would spoke from the heart.

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Happy Mother’s Day.

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[Canon 5D 85mm f1.8]

This winter has given me a little time to catch up – plan for the fast approaching 2013 wedding season as well get some work out into the wedding blog world.

Best of Modern Weddings 2012 – Every Last Detail 

Jenna and Jonathan Wedding Feature - Canadian Bride 

Sam’s Anniversary Shoot - Loveliest Day  featuring Sam my good friend and owner of Blue Veil Wedding Rentals which was then featured again on Belle Amour .

Briar and Simon’s Wedding on Rock n Roll Bride

Paula and Nicholas on Wedding Obsession

Professional Perspective Interview on Wedding Photography - Donna Morgan

We walked through a foot of snow two weeks before Briar and Simon’s wedding to see where they were planning on having the ceremony – in the thick of the forest at the back of the farm. It was January and no leaves blocked the early afternoon sunlight. I loved the fresh air and I made a few mental pictures for myself.

We trekked down a back path to see the pond where the plan would be to walk, or possible snowmobile down to take some photographs.The landscape right after a light dusting of snow was stunning, and I couldn’t believe it was in my own backyard. I crossed my fingers January 26th would be as warm as today.

We headed back up a treacherous ice laden hill, I did not wear the right shoes, and I thought – all of this in a wedding dress – alright Briar you are officially hard core.

Two weeks later the working barn that was just a few days before filled with equipment and fork lifts was transformed into an epic party space. Snowflakes dangled, and the bar was set on snow shoes. I couldn’t believe it. I couldn’t wait to photograph it.

Briar and Simon were married on January 26th 2013, in a winter forest with their close friends and family, later that night they brought the party to the farm that Briar grew up on. Friends and family gathered, photos were snapped, and the band played into the night.

…And finally right before we jump into a visual rendition of the day I’d love to invite you to check out Kat Williams at Rock and Roll Bride. Briar and Simon’s wedding is featured there today, and I’m very excited to share the photos here alongside her story.

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Suzy and John’s wedding took me the furthest north I’ve ever been - Slave Lake Alberta.

On Slave Lake the bugs are thick, the sun shines until 11 or 12 and even then the party is only just getting started. Suzy and John’s wedding is a long time coming to the blog it was shot last July when I headed west to work with the the incredibly talented Canmore Wedding Photographer, Brittany Esther. We drove the eight hours north together from Calgary, playlist blaring, snacks packed, and excited to see what was in store.

The day started in the cabins, the ones John grew up coming to visit, a ceremony on the beach, a helicopter ride, and one hell of a band to finish the night off. I can’t begin to explain how much fun this wedding was to get to, to photograph and now months later to properly edit and blog. To have a look at Brittany’s perspective of the day click here, otherwise grab some popcorn and enjoy some cottage wedding photography.

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