Laura and Joe
Where do I even start, you two?
Your intimate Rideau Falls wedding was so much more than I ever could’ve hoped for. In a wedding season full of compromises and feelings of absence, your jubilant day was the tonic I didn’t even realise my photographer heart needed. It was so rewarding to watch you live your day exactly how you wanted to, with the freedom of spirit and humour that I now understand are integral parts of your character as a couple.
When we first met, Laura told me how important family is to both of you. Watching the frenzy of family in Laura’s hotel room and witnessing both of your dads walking Laura down the aisle (sidewalk? pathway? :P), I really got it. The way that you value your family is so matched to my own personal values, and that made it so much easier to lose myself in some true storytelling. I could identify so well with you both that I felt like family.
I’ll be honest: when Anne started your ceremony, I thought it was going to be a relatively straightforward process. I didn’t realise how much care, thought, and planning she’d put into what I was about to witness. I was so touched by the way that she addressed you both and the number of deeply personal references she included for you. I don’t doubt that it will be a long time before I’m witness to another ceremony as personal as yours.
I remember squealing with delight during your portraits, but it was only when I got home and got everything onto my computer that I truly understood the magic in your connection. I still can’t quite believe what you two gave me to work with. I would swear that Laura told me when we met that she’s awkward in photos, but there was no trace of that on this day. When you’re old and wrinkled, I hope that you’re still looking at one another the way you did on your wedding day. The devoted attention you gave to one another is something truly special; it felt like there was no one you’d rather be with than each other.
There are so many little things I want to remember about your day. Whiskey shots with Grandpa via FaceTime. A wonderfully laidback approach to choosing a ceremony spot. Kevin sporting a tie that matched Laura’s shoes. Photo pendants in the flowers to remind you of those who couldn’t be with you. The kids sharing your first kiss limelight. A burst of sunlight and a rainbow to end your ceremony. Bare feet on a city sidewalk. Crosstitched place cards and delicious cookies (that I now have the recipe for!). So much magic in such a short period of time.
Thank you for loving one another and your family so honestly on this day. Thank you for asking me to be there to document it for you. Thank you for being the embodiment of kindness, spunk, laughter and thoughtfulness. I hope you see my heart when you see your photos because I sure saw yours.
I’m Ang. I’m a Cornwall, Ontario-based photographer offering wedding and documentary family coverage throughout Eastern Ontario. Visual storytelling is what I do best, so laughter and connection is important in my work. I love working with couples who are emotionally present on their wedding day and who love spending time laughing with loved ones, and celebrations like this intimate Rideau Falls wedding are a great example of the kind of relaxed, family-oriented day I love being involved in. If you’d like to see another example of how I approach weddings, start here.
