Rachelle. A Bridal Shower

Back in April, when Henry's mom had the big celebration for her 80th birthday, my sister-in-law Evelyn came up with a plan to surprise our niece Rachelle who, along with her family, came from Ontario for Grandma's birthday.

Rachelle and her fiancee Garnet are getting married in the beginning of June. Most of the 'western' family won't be able to attend, so Evelyn decided to throw Rachelle a surprise Bridal shower, English tea style.

 

It was a beautiful event and we were all thrilled for the opportunity to share, even just a bit, in Rachelle's special day.

You can see the story by watching her Bridal Shower video.

(Want to see it at it's best? Watch it on youtube, click on the cog in the lower right corner and set it to 720p HD and then in full screen. :D) 

I pray God blesses you both as you prepare for your wedding Rachelle and Garnet.

Love, Aunt Rosa.

Taralynn and Cody's Wedding

A while back I was honoured to be asked by Danielle of Lucier Photography to second shoot for her at Taralynn and Cody's wedding.

I was excited and apprehensive at the same time. Danielle is an amazing photographer and I didn't want to let her down. She was so sweet and encouraging though, and gave me opportunities to learn from her through out the day. She also allowed me to edit and use any of the images I took for my portfolio.

As second shooter, I headed over to the boys place the morning of the wedding. I had never done boys before and I was a little dubious about how well they would take having  a camera pointed at them for a couple of hours . . . I shouldn't have doubted though. They were so sweet. If I asked them for something, they did their best to help, even when it didn't make a whole lot of sense to them.

At one point, when they were getting ready, I noticed the groom's pocket 'hankie' was a little wonky. I couldn't help myself, I had to fix it! I went over to him and told him the mom in me couldn't let him go out with a less than perfect hankie. He was thrilled I was fixing it for him. When one of his groom's men had troubles with his hankie Cody told him to let me fix it.

"She knows what she's doing . . . she's done thousands of these things (weddings) . . . "

I burst into hysterical laughter. How old did he think I was???! 100?? 200?? Luckily for my professionalism, all that laughter stayed on the inside, although it threatened to burst out off and on  all day. I still think it's hilarious.

One we were finished with our pictures we headed off to the Prince of Wales Armory for the ceremony. What a lovely venue! I had catered a Credit Union dinner there, years before, but we had only used the main floor and a few small rooms on the upper floor. The room  the ceremony was held in was just lovely. The bride and groom were filled with emotion and their families and friends were so very happy for them.

We took family pictures and then a few formals with an awesome vintage car on the Armory grounds.

 The dinner and the reception took place in a beautiful hall on the University grounds where we took more formals before dinner.

Taralynn and Cody's wedding was beautiful and working with Danielle was a real pleasure.

It has converted me from a "I will never do weddings!" photographer to a "when's the next one?" kind of girl . . .

Taralynn and Cody, I wish you only the very best as you begin your married life together.

Morgan and Kim's Wedding

It's been nearly a month since the wedding, and long past time to share Morgan and Kim's special day.

It's an odd thing. I hadn't really realized just how emotional the day would be for me. After all, I was the mother of the groom, and so, not nearly as involved as a mother of the bride. I did get to be more involved than I expected mind you, Kim and her mom Liz were very sweet and gave me lots of opportunities to help out.

And then Morgan walked me to my seat, down the isle of the church.

My baby was getting married! (okay, he's not really my baby, Jesse is, but, that's what it felt like!) It's a good thing I had stuffed half a box of Kleenex in my purse . . .

It was a truly beautiful day. The minister had a wonderful message and the reception was so lovely. The Old Timer's cabin was cozy but spacious with the caterers serving up the best food I've had in a very long time.

This post is very photo heavy (all of them taken as a mom rather than a photographer. ;D) but before I share them, I wanted to leave you with my mom of the groom speech. It kind of sums up how I felt about the whole day . . .

'For the past several years I've prayed for each of my kids, and for the future spouse the Lord might send their way.
I've prayed that each of them would find someone who would love and cherish them, and whom they could love and cherish in return.
I've prayed that they would find a partner who would encourage them to be all the Lord had meant them to be, and whom they could encouraging in the same way.
I've prayed they would find someone who loved the Lord.
I've seen these prayers answered for Morgan as his relationship with Kim has grown and matured over the last year and I feel so blessed to have Kim as a daughter.
I'm beyond proud of the wonderful young man Morgan has become.
God bless you both as you begin you married life together.'

Morgan doesn't do his hair . . . ever. We had to bring in his hairdresser to do it for him. Good thing she's a friend . . . and lives down the street.

How handsome is my husband! 

Even my mother in law took a turn on the dance floor!

My dear friend Nicole and her husband Lorne, who've known Morgan since before he was born!

And a good time was had by all . . .