Who doesnt love a crazy photobooth? We sure do, one of our favorite things to do during reception time! And the guest LOVE it too! This is now one of our new wedding collection add on’s that we are offering our clients for our 2012 weddings and we cant wait to see what next year has in store!
For now a glimpse into the crazy times at Erin + Grahams wedding from last month!! After the sun went down things got a little wild!
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Their story starts here – Erin + Graham tied the knot on undoubtedly the hottest day of the summer. Their beautiful day started at Erin’s parents home where the girls gathered to dress and put on the final touches. Her parents home is charming and decorated with vintage treasures in every nook and cranny. I loved it! Erin looked smashing in her ruffled gown and was so excited to get started with the day. But not as excited as Graham (Grey) who showed up 30 minutes early for the first-look…oops! Erin walked down the drive-way to meet her man and could hardly hold in the giggles as she snuck up to him. Sweet! Smiling from ear to ear and exchanging compliments we snapped away as they enjoyed a very emotional moment together before their big day. Portraits went super smoothly and we found ourselves dodging the sun by getting creative seeking shade!
Erin + Grey were introduced by the mother of a mutual friend of theirs, Dena Fritz who Erin happened to work with. As the story goes, they spent a few weeks texting before they actually met. They had planned to make their first meeting at a friends backyard BBQ. Erin was planning to attend with friends when Grey broke the news to her earlier that day that his truck broke down in Revelstoke and he would not be be there for the BBQ. Oh well, next time she thought. Erin was enjoying the party with friends and her daughter Kyah was splashing in the pool when Grey sent her a text – “ready?”. And he walked in. Surprise!! That night they were inseparable and Erin knew she had found her match, “it just felt right to be around him”. Grey surprised Erin again when they travelled with a group of friends down to Nashville for a Garth Brooks concert. He got down on one knee during “the beaches of Cheyanne” and asked Erin to be his wife! Hurray!!
There wedding day was everything they could have asked for. The setting for the wedding ceremony was the Chobotar ranch here in Osoyoos. Erin is a creative (i love), a planner, and a tad obsessive compulsive (in her own words). Her decorating was meticulous and she nailed every last detail. Most importantly the concept of the design reflected Erin + Grey, their relationship and their favorite things. Working with a tight budget she was resourceful and drew on the outdoors and its natural beauty to decorate. Moss, old logs, stones, wooden flowers, she even hand crafted the bouquets and boutonnieres! Right down to the antlers on the table – which doubled as noise maker to get the couple to kiss – a shout out to their love of hunting. All the vintage materials were from her home decor or her mom’s, perfect!
The warm, warm, summer sun shone down on Erin + Grey as they exchanged vows and everyone cheered them on as they walked down the isle as husband and wife. We loved the atmosphere of this wedding, great people, great location and everyone was so comfortable and fun. Makes sense right? Fun couples attract other fun couples! Wait till you see the results of the photobooth…coming in PART 2!
Thanks Erin + Grey so very much for everything, we were so happy to be invited to cover your special day!
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Rio + Jason I don’t even know where to start with the amazing-ness of these two, this wedding day…so I’ll let the images speak for themselves! More to follow!
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We’ve been busy!! Erin and Graham got married on the hottest day of the summer…just a tease for now…more spicy photos to come soon!
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Bhut Jolokia - boot-jole-o-key-a -
makes me think of gypsies, or maybe a decrepit japoly from the neighbors backyard. Bhut Jolokia sounds fun, sounds like a good time right?? Mmm not so much. Meet the worlds hottest pepper. The hottest pepper in the world. Guinness can vouch. And, so can Chris.
Mikkel + Chris are an exceptional couple, their laid back, warm personalities are comfortable and inviting. After spending a bit of time with them, you cant help but want to spend more time with these two. One evening a week before the wedding I headed over to their private piece of Okanagan paradise for a visit. These two make you feel immediately at ease, we joked, we talked about travel, love, wild mushrooms and you got it, Bhut Jolokia’s. Chris is the Executive Chef at Burrowing Owl Estate Winery and taught me that night about those crazy peppers that he actually grows in his backyard! wild!
M + C committed their lives to each other on a summer evening in their backyard. An intimate and private ceremony surrounded by a handful of very close friends and the vineyard. Simple and so romantic. The following week they hosted 50 of their family and friends for a wedding celebration, again on their beautiful property. Located on a hillside surrounded by peach orchards, and vineyards and big beautiful trees. Mikkel + Chris entertained their guests with the most delicious meal, prepared and presented by Chris himself. Everything was attended to, right down to the last detail. The food was impecable and likely the best meal I will ever have. Wedding dinner WIN! Mikkel had requested a mini session with her best gal, Rocket. Great idea! These two have a friendship that is super tight and why not photograph two gorgeous gal pals?
Later I escaped the crowds with Mikkel + Chris for some peaceful wedding portraits in the peach orchard. The air was full with the fragrance of ripe peaches sweetened by the sun. Amazing. Thank you so so so much for the wonderful evening, one of the best.
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The finale, PART 3! Thank you friends and family for all the fantastic and creative comments, so far! I love the feedback! bestfollowersever.
A quick re-cap just incase you missed it, first we revealed Mitch + Michelle’s stunning farmyard portraits in part one. Then in part two we saw them tie the knot! For the last segment of the longest series of blog posts to hit element yet (I love it I love it!!) we get to show off the highlight reel of images from M + M’s live guestbook. It was so much fun to co-ordinate this during the cocktail hour. Michelle had lined up so much help for us to keep the process running quickly and efficiently. We thank you SO MUCH! All we got to do was laugh with the guests and shoot them with their creative messages for the happy couple. It was brilliant!!
Thanks M + M for the best day. Michelle for being so creative, your attention to detail made it an absolute joy to for us to photograph. Thank you both for your long standing support over the last few year, thank you for trusting us with your wedding day and for being so gosh darn awesome. xx
There was WAY to much good stuff to pack into one post. This beauty’s coming at you in 3 parts. yes-i-said-three.
Late Friday morning I arrived at Michelle’s home as she was getting the final touches on her make-up. She was radiant, the atmosphere calm as she described her morning with the her girlfriends. I remarked on that her townhouse renovations looked great! Michelle had worked so hard tackling many DIY projects while Mitch was finishing his hockey season in Norfolk to make her space more comfortable, warm, to feel like their home. I gathered her dress, jewels and shoes and got to work. ”I LOVE them, they are exactly what I wanted” I heard her exclaim to her sister as Natalie walked in with bouquets of lucisous and oh-so fragrant flowers from polka-dot-door. Snapping away silently I reflected over the past 3 years that I have been lucky to get to know Michelle, and then Mitch. Amazing to think how far this couple as come and the distance their love endured as Mitch resided in the US 8 months of the year. M + M met at a Canada Day pork roast in the summer of 2008 an annual event hosted by the the Fritz family. That summer brimmed with excitement of new love and camping trips with family and friends at Mable Lake. Before they knew it summer was coming to a close and off to New York Mitch went to pursue his hockey career. Michelle so committed to regular trips down to see Mitch with suitcases full of beef jerky and other various frozen game for Mitch and his room mates. One particular trip sticks out in my mind, Mitch had been called up to play with the NY Islanders and he invited Michelle to come down to spend some time with him and watch him play. I received this frantic phone call at work, “HELP ME!! Im in Madison Square Garden. Mitch is going to play tonight, my boyfriend is going to play. There are so many people, I dont know where to go. Where do I get my ticket? Mitch said I would be able to get them, there would be a VIP booth for me to errrr or something. gah. Erika what-am-i-doing-in-madison-square-garden? I dont even know how to watch hockey”. One long runonsentencewithnogaspforair. She was wiggin’ out a little. Small town girl with big town dreams, the girl was standing in the heart of NYC without a clue. “Michelle, this is SO exciting. What are you wearing? Whats NYC like, do you feel like Carrie? Go get a drink, then find the ticket. Pull yourself together lady, go on”!!
It was on one of these trips down to visit Mitch, that he gave Michelle a stunning diamond ring and asked her to marry him. The plans were set for June 2011 and the planning got into full swing! 18 months flew by in a flash as they prepared for their future and for the wedding date.
Mitch + Michelle selected Arosa Guest Ranch to host their wedding celebration. A tranquil setting nestled in the rolling hills atop Anarchist Mountain with gorgeous panoramic views has special significance to them. Fritz estates the former property of his grandfather, lovingly remember as Bumpa surrounds the ranch area. We took advantage of Bumpa’s land for Mitch + Michelles first look. I love it when a couple choose’s to do a first look together and photos are wrapped up prior to the wedding ceremony! These two gave us 3 incredible hours to work with them for their portraits. GAH. spoiled. Thank YOU! We had so much fun with M + M trucking around to many special locations that the couple had selected themselves in advance! Photos wrapped up just as rain drops started to sprinkle. Just a tease though, as the sky cleared again for a bright and beautiful outdoor ceremony.
But mother nature can be crrrrazy and wasn’t quiet finished with us yet!
Everyone was tucked away in the white tent surrounded by phenomenal details. Tables full with plates of delicious warm food as the sky opened up and the rain showers came down. Propane heaters were lit, guest changed out of summery dresses and into their tights, woolies, camo and plaid. We cuddled up under blankets and listened to the stories of Michelle + Mitch shared by the wedding party and parents. They were roasted and toasted and laughter filled the tent!
It was just before the speeches began the the sky cleared momentarily and a bright beam of sunlight pierced through the clouds. ah! A perfect double rainbow arched over the valley in view for all to see. A sign of a promise just for the newlyweds! M + M ran out into the sunlight and shared a little dance, and a little love as the cameras fired away!! ummmm could we have asked for anything more perfect?
Michelle + Mitch, Liza and I were thrilled to be part of your day. Thank you so much for having us!
ceremony/reception – arosa guest ranch resort
florals – polka dot door flowers + gifts
catering – Tina + Glen McWallner
band – Young’uns
makeup – Christine Fritz
Are you still with me??! Go on then, leave the newly weds some LOVE! Comment below : )
OH stay tuned for ceremony + reception details, annnnnd…the crazy photo booth highlights coming later this week!! FIND US ON FACEBOOK and be the first to know
just a sneak at what I got up to with M + M this weekend…..g-g-g-gorgeous or what!?
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Niki + Brett married at Spirit Ridge Resort here in Osoyoos early in May. A perfect venue of a couple of wine lovers! Our day started off with the gorgeous bride Niki as she put on the final touches with her friends and family gathered around. The boys met us up at the roof top patio for the ceremony. We all held our breath as the clouds turned dark navy blue over the mountains to the west. Niki was radiant as she gracefully took to the isle arm in arm with her Dad. The officiant had a great message about serving each other in marriage. He used a clean white towel to represent the newly weds “serving” each other as they start their new life together. A few moments later he displayed a tattered and torn up “serving” towel that represents a couple 50 years down the road, everyone laughed! The take home message was to be self-less in your marriage, serving each other in love, awwe. A great reminder for everyone! As Brett leaned in to kiss his bride the first rain drops started to fall and the couple skeedaddled down the isle all smiles! As we took shelter inside to wait off the rain it poured so hard we wondered if it would ever stop? Its so rare to see showers like that here in Osoyoos. It means good luck and great fortune if it rains on your wedding day right? N + B think so!
We snapped a few indoor photos as the wedding party shared champagne and just as they finished the rain eased off and we finished up their portraits outside! Hurray!
The evening reception was held in the swanky Passa Tempo restaurant at Spirit Ridge. A cozy atmosphere on a rainy night suited everyone just fine! Niki had the tables decorated beautifully, and as we snapped photos of the details we caught a guests iphone streaming the live Canucks play off game. I don’t think that was part of the decor, unless maybe Brett had something to do with it??
Thank you both for inviting us to share in your celebration!! We hope you enjoy your photos!
