Laura & David, September 4, 2016

I want to talk about memories.

The afternoon of September 3rd, 2016, my mother burst into my home carrying an armload of family photo albums.  That day, my parents’ home – my childhood home and my closest neighbour, burned to the ground.  It went so quickly that we were only able to save a few precious belongings and thankfully, when my mother realized that the house was on fire, the first thing she thought to save were the family albums.  I raced back with her and managed to grab the rest before the smoke forced us out but as for the house itself, there was nothing left to salvage when the day was over.

Our own home was unliveable without electricity and water so my husband and I packed our bags by flashlight in shocked silence and spent the night with family nearby.  I woke up the next morning in an unfamiliar bed with a greater appreciation for photos than ever.  After spending 18 years growing up in that home, all I have left are photos to remind me of the most familiar place I’ve ever known.  At the same time, I had an important day ahead of me that had nothing to do with me.

That next morning, on September 4th, David and Laura were married at her family home on the outskirts of Red Deer in a beautiful ceremony surrounded by loved ones.  I was so happy to be there and photograph both their joy and the enthusiasm of everyone supporting them.  The sky was overcast resulting in wonderful, even light.  Laura and David had spent the last year designing every last detail – carefully painting flourishes on signs, building wooden benches by hand…The entire yard was gorgeous and not one corner was overlooked.  David and his groomsmen wore custom suits and he had handpicked nerd socks to match each groomsman perfectly.

Their wedding day also happened to be Laura’s birthday and I don’t think you can top a birthday like this.  Laura descended the staircase to the chorus of her nine little flower girls singing “Going to the Chapel.”  She giggled down the aisle to keep from crying as she saw David for the first time and they wed beneath tree branches ripe with apples.  They rode off to portraits in open-topped red and teal vintage cars (!!!).

This bridal party was spunky and I’ve never seen a dance floor more packed.  Can you tell I love it when kids are pulled into the dancing?  I’m a magnet to little kids dancing.

Throughout the day, I felt the gravity of my work more than ever.  I wanted to grasp onto every poignant little moment that I could for the sake of everyone there.  I saw two people in love lock eyes on each other the moment they first saw each other and never look away.  I saw Laura warming her hands on a hot mug of tea during family portraits because it was chilly but she was determined to include every family member she could.  I saw a sleepy little boy resting his head on his mama’s shoulder in the middle of the fiercely dancing crowd.  I couldn’t bear to leave when my time was up because there were so many more moments worth keeping that I didn’t want to miss.

Little girls dream of a day like this and Laura and David now have countless happy moments to look back on.  Now that it’s gone, they have to rely on their memories, mementos, and photographs to show their children and grandchildren in the hopes of giving them a tiny idea of what it was like.

I was so honoured to be included and I can honestly say that these are memories worth running into a burning building for.

All portraits taken at Bower Ponds and Canyon Ski Resort.

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Dresses:  Your Wedding Place, Red Deer

Menswear:  Moores for Men, Red Deer

Florist:  Affordable Arrangements, Blackfalds

Floral Chandelier:  Calyx Floral Design, Red Deer

Reception Venue: Canyon Ski Resort, Red Deer

DJ: On the Mark Productions, Red Deer