Chatham is unexplored territory for us when it comes to weddings. It’s always fun to shoot in new locations and we certainly found some beautiful ones for Jennie & Steve’s pictures! A special thanks to Julie from Dream Catcher Photography for acting as my assistant for the day!

– Heather

Describe the vision/theme you had for your wedding in 5 words or less: Classic, elegant celebration of love.

What are you favorite memories of your wedding day?
Bride: The entire ceremony. It was wonderful to be surrounded by the ones we love as we said our vows.
Groom: Seeing Jennie walk down the aisle, she was absolutely beautiful.

Best wedding related decision: We decided to change up some of the more boring traditions. We accepted donations to have us kiss at the reception. Our family and friends were so generous that we were able to donate over 100 items and $150 towards my school’s Halloween for Hunger (an important cause for us). We also invited everyone to catch the bouquet that was made up of gift cards… it was a big hit.

Favourite detail: Can’t choose just one. We really focused on little touches that celebrate our strong ties to our families. We included our parents’ wedding photos in our programs. My wedding ring is the same one my grandmother received when she married my grandfather 60 years before and I carried my Avo’s (grandmother’s) rosary in my bouquet.

Advice for future brides & grooms: Don’t forget to plan for your marriage while you plan your wedding.

Would you change anything if you could do it all over again? Not a thing
Best surprise of the day: Steve surprised me with a beautiful necklace the morning of our wedding – totally unexpected!

Favorite HRM picture from the day (and why?): (#530) I love this picture because it takes me back to the night of our first date sitting in the exact same spot and to the place where Steve proposed. It makes me remember that the most ordinary places and moments are often the ones that leave the biggest imprint on our lives.

VENDORS: Ceremony Location St. Agnes Parish Chatham | Reception Location Portuguese Canadian Social Club of Chatham | Officiant (if not a church ceremony) Reverend Michael Bechard | Cake Created by the bride | Dress (designer and/or store) My ceremony dress was Oleg Cassini and the reception dress was purchased online. Both were made one-of-a-kind with alterations by Elegance of Chatham | Wedding Planner-  it was a family affair! | Flowers/Decorator Bouquets were created by the Purple Pansy of Chatham; Ceremony Decor was a DIY project; Reception decor by Its Official of Comber and the succulent thank you gifts were from my parents’ garden. | Hair/Makeup Hair by Jessica Smith, Simply Gorjess; Make-up by Carrie Visser | Caterer Portuguese Canadian Social Club | DJ The Shake Band

WEDDING SONGS: Processional Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring | Recessional Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee | Entrance Night Like This – Shawn Desman | First Dance Then – Brad Paisley | Parent Dances My Little Girl – Tim McGraw; What a Wonderful World – Louis Armstrong