April Wild Photo

07/16/2020

Bailey and Dan… where do I begin?!

A year and a half ago I received a cute message on Instagram from a girl I’d never met before… “Hey! You don’t know me, but you went to high school with my fiancé! We’re getting married next summer, and I’d love to inquire about photography!” I remembered Dan as a kind-hearted, full-of-fun teenager, so before I even met Bailey I knew she’d be absolutely incredible.

Fast forward a few weeks, and I met Bailey for the first time after her shift at the hospital (oh yeah- she’s a healthcare hero, everyone!). We had decided on the Subway parking lot as the place to sign the contract. We laughed over the location, and in that short amount of time as we chatted, I felt as if I had known her for years. I even felt comfortable enough to tell her about the angry spider-bite I had just discovered on my arm. (Looking back, I don’t know what possessed me to share this gross bit of information! Thank you for being so sweet and telling me to get to the ER immediately! I followed your advice. But I digress! Ha!)

What Bailey and Dan didn’t know at the time was I was newly hanging out with Miles, a good friend of Dan’s and stubbornly fighting the huge crush I was developing. But a few months later, Miles and officially started dating! One of the many things I love about Miles is that he has so many amazing friends- and because of this- I have been introduced to people that I cherish. I had no idea when Bailey first messaged me that she would become one of the best friends I’ve ever had. My heart bursts thinking about all the things that fell perfectly into place last year. I am so grateful.

Bailey and Dan… where do I begin?!

A year and a half ago I received a cute message on Instagram from a girl I’d never met before… “Hey! You don’t know me, but you went to high school with my fiancé! We’re getting married next summer, and I’d love to inquire about photography!” I remembered Dan as a kind-hearted, full-of-fun teenager, so before I even met Bailey I knew she’d be absolutely incredible.

Fast forward a few weeks, and I met Bailey for the first time after her shift at the hospital (oh yeah- she’s a healthcare hero, everyone!). We had decided on the Subway parking lot as the place to sign the contract. We laughed over the location, and in that short amount of time as we chatted, I felt as if I had known her for years. I even felt comfortable enough to tell her about the angry spider-bite I had just discovered on my arm. (Looking back, I don’t know what possessed me to share this gross bit of information! Thank you for being so sweet and telling me to get to the ER immediately! I followed your advice. But I digress! Ha!)

What Bailey and Dan didn’t know at the time was I was newly hanging out with Miles, a good friend of Dan’s and stubbornly fighting the huge crush I was developing. But a few months later, Miles and officially started dating! One of the many things I love about Miles is that he has so many amazing friends- and because of this- I have been introduced to people that I cherish. I had no idea when Bailey first messaged me that she would become one of the best friends I’ve ever had. My heart bursts thinking about all the things that fell perfectly into place last year. I am so grateful.

11/11/2019

Heartwarming. That is how I would sum up my thoughts and feelings surrounding Cassaundra and Cody’s wedding day. Every little detail, every interaction, everyone involved… it was all pure and refreshing and sweet.

There is no doubt about it, these two are in love. One of the most beautiful expressions of that is reflected in the warm little ray of sunshine- their tiny daughter, Keira. And then there’s their family and friends, who all gathered together that day at Spring Creek Gavel Farm in Hepworth to celebrate with them. What a wonderful bunch. It could not have been more perfect. The rustic barn and stunning gardens- already a gorgeous natural backdrop- were enhanced by the lovely décor work of Lace and Lilac Events and Serendipity Florals. It was magical.

Cassaundra and her ladies got ready in an adorable farmhouse located on site, and then we headed out onto the grounds for the first look and bridal party portraits. Cody’s expression when seeing his bride for the first time brought tears to my eyes! Especially when immediately afterwards, little Kiera came running in to be swept up in the loving embrace of her dad. Time stood still and I felt honoured to be there capturing something too precious for words.

Great friends make for the most amazing portrait sessions. We were all entertained just by being together for that hour before the ceremony.

While shooting the ceremony, my attention was often caught by the ear to ear grin of Cody’s grandfather; he was obviously so proud of his grandson and the beautiful woman he was marrying. A lifetime of love for his family, farming, and community was reflected in that grin and everyone there could sense the lasting legacy and tangible importance of generations of love. How beautiful it was that this man could be there and bless his family with that smile. And his strength to stand up, out of his wheelchair, with his family in front of his beloved tractor- when Cody surprised them by driving it over to the barn to be part of the family photos.

Family is everything. Cassaundra and Cody poured great effort into every detail to make sure we were all reminded of that. This is what I think the very best weddings do for us and in effect, for the world. These two made sure that from start to finish, their wedding day was an ode to their nearest and dearest and a celebration of family and love.

Thank you for inviting me to play a part in capturing these memories! You two are such a beautiful couple inside and out and I wish you all the best in the years to come!

11/02/2019

When two people who are madly in love are also each other’s best friend- and that love is marked by mutual respect and admiration- it seems to spill over into the interactions between all of the wedding party members, family and guests. You just KNOW that these two people were meant to be married. They come from good stock! Forever is them. That is how all of us present for Caitlin and Robin’s wedding day felt- honoured to be there, and captivated by the spell that was being cast of love, magic and commitment.

Music from the 90’s set the vibe and added to the fun as the bridal party got ready that morning, and then the excitement really began as we set off in an army of shining Bruce County pick up trucks.

Our destination was a scenic escarpment farm in Georgian Bluffs owned by Robin’s family, resplendent with apple trees and gently blowing fields prepared for a perfect wedding ceremony and reception. The trucks were just what we needed to navigate an idyllic cow pasture to an awaiting forest path where Caitlin and Robin planned to have their first look. Caitlin was radiant in her stunning lace gown and cowboy boots. Robin, her handsome groom, was understandably smitten.

Next, the entire wedding party joined in on the photos.

Disclaimer alert: This wedding party portrait session was one of the most epic adventures I’ve ever had in my entire 10 years of wedding photography. But, I’m not going to go into details because we maayyyyy have accidentally done something that is better left kept a secret! Robin, Caitlin, and wedding party… Thank you for being such incredible troopers when faced with an extremely muddy and precarious challenge averting potential disaster. What a memory! You’re all iconic and I will never forget these moments! (And there are many, many photos of this, ahem, situation, that will be included in your final wedding album.)

Entertaining potential disasters aside, we all made it back to the farm in one piece for the ceremony in the apple orchard! Not a noticeable speck of mud on anyone, the ceremony went off without a hitch. Gloriously, I might add. A beautifully decorated tent was set up in one of the fields where the guests could relax, listen to amazing tunes, be treated to a delicious meal, and after some heartfelt speeches and first dances, the music got turned up and the party began.

Caitlin and Robin, thank you for letting me capture your special day. You two are wonderful and I wish you all the happiness and adventures in your future. :)

08/07/2019

Tucked into the northern edge of the Niagara Escarpment and overlooking the cobalt blue waters of Georgian Bay, the elegant yet cosy boutique winery, Coffin Ridge, is quickly becoming one of Ontario’s newest and most exciting event venues. And for good reason! This is a magical place. Sweeping, majestic views over lush vineyards give way to a stunning expanse of blue water and serene islands only to be framed by a wild backdrop of dramatic limestone cliffs. Your astonished eyes can hardly believe what you are seeing, and you will be overwhelmed by the feeling that you’ve somehow been transported to the exotic locales of Tuscany. And yet, Coffin Ridge is a mere 20 minute drive from Owen Sound!

And on July 20th, this magically magnificent location was paired by an equally magnificent bride and groom. Enter Leah and Stephen. A match made in heaven.

Leah is one of the sweetest, most kind-hearted women I have ever met. She is blessed with the art of making any person feel welcome and important just by being around her. No wonder cheerful, outgoing Stephen was drawn to her immediately when she started working at the company he was also employed at! Instant connection. Life was just better when they were together and they soon realized that they never wanted to be apart… and so it was that they fell in love.

There is a tangible adoration and beautiful respect that Leah and Stephen hold for each other. My camera caught glimpses of these elements as it lingered softly on their sparkling eyes, secret grins, and gentle touches. But did I also mention the passionate fire and adventurous spirit too? A picture is worth a thousand words and Coffin Ridge was the perfect pairing.

Their wedding day was warm, windy, and perfectly moody. Wild and turbulent rain clouds threatened overhead, adding to the excitement but never daring to unleash their torrent during the outdoor portion of the day. (Photographers LOVE days like this! The lighting. The drama!) A gorgeous vineyard villa on the property provided the coziest setting for Leah and her bridesmaids to get ready- and made for a short walk out to the nearby ceremony sanctuary of a hilltop overlooking the view. Leah looked like an absolute goddess descending down the aisle to her awaiting grinning from ear to ear groom. They were so beautiful!

Leah and Stephen have absolutely incredible families full of love and a sense of home, and I loved how two inherited cultures blended beautifully as a traditional Korean ceremony kicked off the dinner reception. Games and laughter and delicious Korean treats delighted their guests, and then a fabulous dinner was provided by Men with Knives catering.

Something magical happens when you have a couple who is not only madly in love, but also each other’s best friend. Add to that tightly knit loving families, friends, and a wedding party full of people that truly love and support the couple, and you have a party to remember for a lifetime. It’s not trite to say that this is what makes life rich. The stuff that memories are made of. I felt so honoured and warmed to be there.

Leah and Stephen, thank you for letting me capture your very special day. Here are some first peeks at your photos. Enjoy! :)

07/13/2019

Sometimes, while looking through my camera lens and focusing on the beautiful scene in front of me, I get swept up in the sweetest nostalgia. It only happens under certain conditions. And it is one of my favourite experiences as a photographer. It's that feeling I get when a childhood friend- someone who has shared some of my most special long ago memories- resurfaces into my life and invites me to photograph her precious day.

My heart is reliving memories of the two of us as young teens- the way we would laugh and dream at summer camp… All while racing with the rest of our friends to the lake for a swim or canoeing antics. Life was simple and carefree and adulthood felt so far away.

That's what made shooting Rochelle's marriage to her best friend Kenny so incredibly poignant. I kept picturing the happy go lucky 16 year old Rochelle. And it made me feel like I too was still 16. Yet I would never change the fact that we both are now women just a little more than ten years older. And it made me just so excited to experience how lovely Rochelle has become- how absolutely in love, and how beautiful, radiant and excited about her future she is with Kenny at her side. It just felt so incredibly right.

Rochelle and Kenny met while they were students at the University of Guelph. Kenny fell for her adorable kindness and charm, and Rochelle thought Kenny the most loveable, handsome goofball she had ever laid her eyes upon.

Their wedding was held on a gorgeous June day in Delhi, Ontario… not too far from their farm and newly renovated farmhouse. The girls got ready there while the boys were just down the road at Kenny's parents' farm. (Isn't that the best? Farming families know how to do life right.)

I am sure I can speak for all of the wedding guests when I say that the ceremony location was a dream. The white washed old church at Cranberry Creek Gardens served as an epic outdoor backdrop, and afterwards where refreshments were offered indoors. The setting was simply stunning, but even more so were the people. There was so much love, laughter and... lighthearted goofiness. The wedding party was such fun to work with. The photos are proof of that!

Rochelle and Kenny's property and barns made an amazing reception venue. Sometimes in the midst of capturing these pictures I could literally feel the dreams for the future that this couple were cherishing in their hearts. Celebrating your most special day on the very ground where you will live, work hard, raise a family, and build a strong home must have felt very surreal to put into words.

Hopefully if it is true that a picture is worth a thousand words, these sneak peeks will begin to tell the tale.

I am so happy for you both. Thank you for inviting me to capture these moments. You are such a beautiful couple and I know your future will be a happy one. You are perfect for each other.

05/12/2019

What the world needs now is a little more magic, a lot more reminders of the power of romance, waiting, love, family, and… please also throw in some old time fiddle music to really drive this message home the way only fiddle music can! Allow me to share with you the heartwarming story of Devan and Tyler.

To say that both grew up in talented music families would be an understatement. Each have graced the stages of Canadian festivals and multiple other venues with their siblings and family members since they were youngsters, winning awards and the hearts of their communities and fans all along the way. The Beckett and Ballagh families’ names have become synonymous with family entertainment, glorious music, and fast and fancy highland dancing footwork. No wonder these families were close friends. Living just one hour apart, their kids grew up together, and by 16, young Devan felt something deep in her heart about the already in his 20’s Tyler- she was going to marry that man someday. And she tucked that away in her heart.

She didn’t tell him that for almost ten more years- not until the dream had been awakened and the timing was finally right and their paths crossed again as adults in all the right ways. And it made perfect, wild and wonderful sense. I love how life does that for amazing people like these two. Their entire wedding day was a celebration beyond which I have ever experienced as a photographer. You know when two families are just meant to be officially declared one. And did I say there were fiddles too? Sigh.

Devan and Tyler were married on December 8th, 2018 with a smattering of snow on the ground, and Christmas on the horizon. Supported by a wedding party full of siblings and friends, the ceremony was held in a greenery festooned century old church in Teeswater, Ontario. The excitement was palpable; Tyler and Devan are deeply loved in the community and their story a fairy tale. And Devan looked like an absolute princess. Poised, stunningly beautiful, and sparkling with excitement. Tyler- holding back his tears when he saw his bride walking towards him down the aisle. We were all enraptured. These two, so used to being on stage and performing for others later expressed in their speeches how different this feeling was for them. This beautiful day was about the two of them letting down their guard with a freedom to be themselves, immersed in the power of family and friends affirming what is truly real in life- love, commitment and forever.

And of course, the music that day made it all the more splendid! Devan’s sister, Paige composed a song for the couple, performing it during the ceremony accompanied by family. Live music was everywhere that day, providing a backdrop for story telling, warm embraces, and dream telling for the future.

Devan’s bridesmaids carried Christmas lanterns and wore woollen cloaks over sage green gowns, reminding me of a scene from the set of Pride and Prejudice. Tyler and his groomsmen were dashing in their grey suits and ties to match the girls’ dresses. The joy on all of their faces and captured in these photos speaks volumes about who all these folks are.

Photos taken in the snow are romantic. I’m glad the day was a proper winter one and that it only emphasized the love and warmth of everyone there. Tyler and Devan’s reception was held at the Cargill Community Centre and was truly both captivating in décor and heartwarming from start to finish.

The best- the absolutely best part of it from behind the lens was capturing the fun. Especially the part when Devan’s carefully planned wedding dance “flash mob” for 14 people, became unbeknownst to her and secretly planned by her bridesmaids- a much bigger rehearsed affair when about 70 guests joined in- in perfect step and harmony! If you know these families, you will know that this was just so them.

The future is incredibly full of opportunities for this talented pair. But what makes it all that much more exciting- and inspiring- is that their wedding day pointed directly and clearly at faith, family, and love as being the ultimate foundation.

I was truly blessed to be there and to have the privilege of capturing even some of these moments of love and inspiration. Devan and Tyler, keep shining for us all. Thank you for being you.

02/24/2019

When the weather is wild and windy and the skies grey and ominous, wedding photographers LOVE it! As long as it doesn’t torrentially rain, we celebrate the kind of wedding day weather that Shannon and Kevin were blessed to have on October 13th, 2018. Especially when the sun decides to peak out brilliantly on the last portrait shoot of the day before it sets below the Lake Huron horizon.

What a very special occasion it was. Shannon is a local Bruce County girl who met the love of her life, Kevin, through their shared vocational pursuits. He happens to be a citizen of our southern neighbour, the United States. Many of their family and friends undertook long journeys to come celebrate with the newlyweds. They snuggled outdoors together under the shelter of a majestic 100 year old tree, and the ceremony and reception were hosted by the fabulous Saugeen Golf Club. Kevin and his groomsmen got ready at the Club; Shannon and her bridesmaids arrived by coach, in all their radiant, glowing splendour!

My favourite memories of the day were only emphasized by the effect of the blustery, chilly weather. Without the cold, you would not have seen a groom reaching out so lovingly to warm the hands and shoulders of his bride during the ceremony. Without the wind, there would not be those shots of Shannon and her bridesmaids, laughing over a wayward veil threatening to fly away. And without the dark skies, the sun’s brilliant rays, finally parting the clouds to seemingly impart a sign of blessing over this new married couple would not have felt so profound or rare and beautiful.

Thank you for the privilege of being there to capture your memories, Shannon and Kevin! Wishing you both all the best in the coming year. XO

When the weather is wild and windy and the skies grey and ominous, wedding photographers LOVE it! As long as it doesn’t torrentially rain, we celebrate the kind of wedding day weather that Shannon and Kevin were blessed to have on October 13th, 2018. Especially when the sun decides to peak out brilliantly on the last portrait shoot of the day before it sets below the Lake Huron horizon.

What a very special occasion it was. Shannon was a local Bruce County girl who met the love of her life, Kevin, through their shared vocational pursuits. He happens to be a citizen of our southern neighbour, the United States. Many of their family and friends undertook long journeys to come celebrate with the newlyweds. They snuggled outdoors together under the shelter of a majestic 100 year old tree, and the ceremony and reception were hosted by the fabulous Saugeen Golf Club. Kevin and his groomsmen got ready at the Club; Shannon and her bridesmaids arrived by coach, in all their radiant, glowing splendour!

My favourite memories of the day were only emphasized by the effect of the blustery, chilly weather. Without the cold, you would not have seen a groom reaching out so lovingly to warm the hands and shoulders of his bride during the ceremony. Without the wind, there would not be those shots of Shannon and her bridesmaids, laughing over a wayward veil threatening to fly away. And without the dark skies, the sun’s brilliant rays, finally parting the clouds to seemingly impart a sign of blessing over this new married couple would not have felt so profound or rare and beautiful.

Thank you for the privilege of being there to capture your memories, Shannon and Kevin! Wishing you both all the best in the coming year. XO

12/13/2018

A Port Elgin boy and a Kincardine girl. Although they each grew up just a short distance down the shore of Lake Huron from each other, it took the magic of online dating to discover that the other even existed! It seems like every year, more and more of my wedding couples met this way! I love it; in a busy, “hard to meet your soul mate” kind of world these days, dating sites can help you meet the most perfect person- that a few decades ago you might never have known was just a short drive down Highway 21. Amazing!

Those two Bruce County kids eventually met. They were perfect for each other and knew it right away! Sassy and spunky Sara found her match in Bronson and their lives began to forever revolve around each other. Soon they had travelled the world together, bought a beautiful home- and added an adorable dog named Prada. They surrounded themselves with family and the best of friends. (On a side note, it was heartwarming that one of my wedding couples from a month earlier in August was in the wedding party- Jenna and Dan! So fun!)

September 29th was a perfect, crisp fall day with the sun still warm in the sky. Sara and Bronson’s new home is right next door to his parents! While the guys got ready at Bronson’s mom and dad’s house, Sara and the girls spent the morning preparing at the soon-to-be-newlyweds’ beautiful home. Down the road from both houses was a stunning pine forest- the perfect place for a “first look” for the bride and groom. I will always remember the expression on Bronson’s face when he saw Sara. A picture is worth a thousand words.

Bruce County weddings tend to be outdoors for good reason. This is one of the most beautiful regions of Ontario with the prettiest views. Sara and Bronson were married at The Sovie Farm near a restored barn used for receptions, with a backdrop of fields, a picturesque pond and Lake Huron shining in the distance. Close enough to the beach, it was easy to whisk the couple away with Prada for an intimate sunset shoot at the very spot on the beach where they were engaged.

The dinner and reception were spectacular and after the sun went down, we were all treated to their lovely coordinated first dance in the barn courtyard. It was honestly what memories are made of! What a special day and an honour to be a part of. All the best, Sara and Bronson! Here are your sneak peeks! :)