Weddings can be a source of stress and worry at the best of times. Especially, when blending two families into one, the pressure is on. As Donna received devastating news at her Carl’s Catering wedding, I flipped it around to show her why it was a sign.

I met Donna and her mom at a wedding show, where the sparks flew. Her mother quizzed the both of us. She asked me why I should deserve to photograph her daughter’s big day and what she had to gain by choosing me over another. I found out that Donna had actually won 50% off a wedding photography package with another photographer. So the fact she trusted me enough to walk away from a much cheaper option meant a lot.

Gregory was a mechanic and was Donna’s knight in shining armour as he fixed her flat tire. During a follow up courtesy call, she said it had happened again. He returned to her house to make sure he got to the root of the problem. By showing his caring side, this simple act of kindness  to make sure she was safe to drive caught her attention and the rest is history. Both Gregory and Donna came to the table with a son each and their relationship as a blended family unit blossomed.

Despite the odds against this Carl’s Catering wedding, this couple proved it was meant to be

Fast forward to their wedding day. As we were getting ready to document her first look with her parents, Donna received a call. The eagerly anticipated Rolls Royce they had booked as their wedding car had a flat tire and couldn’t make it. Donna was obviously distraught but I managed to talk her around and show her how it was a sign that this wedding was meant to be. They had met from a flat tire and reconnected due to another flat tire. It was only apt that a flat tire on their wedding day was a sign from above! I successfully managed to substantially reduce her stress and emotions by getting her to see the bigger picture. We then moved on to capture some beautifully emotional images of her with her parents as they saw their daughter for the first time.

An April wedding can be a double edged sword as the weather is still so unpredictable. Donna had seen the Carl’s Catering location a year to the date prior to get an idea of what it might look like during that season. Unfortunately she had seen the venue in full bloom, with colourful flowers and blue skies due to a very passive winter prior. When it came to their special day, the skies were grey, it was raining on and off and the surrounding foliage was barren due to a late running winter.

I made sure to focus my attention on capturing all of the details that they had put into their wedding to make it theirs. I documented every element of the girls preparations to make themselves perfect. At the same time, Jacquie was following the boys at the hotel and there was no stone left unturned.

A sign from above for this Carl’s Catering wedding

Photographing both sons as they watched each parent at the Heart Lake Baptist Church was emotional for all. Being able to capture a glimpse into their soul during this moment, highlighted the beauty of documentary style photography. As we headed over to Gage Park, the backdrops were similar in colour. Again, I focused on emotion vs nature. We used the wind to help get some action shots with the veil. As luck would have it, the company was able to have the Rolls Royce and a red carpet ready for the picture perfect shots they had envisioned.

This blended families Carl’s Catering wedding proved we can’t control everything

Our evening wrapped up as the two families and friends partied into the night at The Glen for their reception. With fun games and emotionally charged first dances, Donna and Gregory’s Carl’s Catering wedding was a turning point for me. This was the start of the switch to focusing less of presenting flawless looking photos and more on documentary style coverage. I began by getting to know my couple’s journey and taking the time to learn what makes them so unique. This meant I could shoot inside the wedding and showcase them rather than from the outside looking in.

Donna and Gregory were thrilled with the outcome. They decided to have their memories preserved in beautiful Italian albums that they can cherish forever. Thank you for letting me into your lives and opening your hearts wide enough to give me the tools to give you these images of your journey together.