The internet and social media can be magical places sometimes. Many of the couples that I work with know about me because they attended a wedding I was photographing, or they’re friends with the bride and groom of a previous wedding. But every once in a while people find me through Google and Social Media. I’ve never paid for advertising, I’m not the most web savvy, and social media is definitely not my thing, so I consider these connections small miracles! Samantha and Paul were planning a Heritage Hall wedding in Beachburg, Ontario. They searched Instagram for a wedding photographer in the Ottawa Valley and found me! They were a million miles away in England, which makes it even cooler.
Yes, I said England. Paul is British! Sam’s from the Pembroke area but they met while she was travelling. They planned their entire wedding from England which could not have been easy! Our first meeting was over Skype since popping into a coffee shop in person wasn’t doable. Within two minutes they made me feel like I’d known them for years. Both of them are genuine, friendly, and so kind! They emailed me every few months just to say hello and keep me informed on how the planning was going, and it was great to hear from them! Paul is an amazing photographer himself. His forte is cars, but it was his landscapes of the English countryside that gave me a peek into their lives together.
Their wedding was this amazing mix of colourful and rustic. Samantha is bright and bubbly. She radiates fun and energy, and so the pink and sparkle suited her perfectly. Heritage Hall, on the other hand, is a rustic lover’s dream. It has a cool octagon shape and great wood decor inside for weddings. The venue drapes tulle and twinkle lights all over, and that twinkle and sparkle – along with gold painted mason jars and silver lanterns – is what tied it all together.
It was an intimate wedding of close friends and family. These two are so cherished, and it was touching to see Samantha’s family and friends welcome Paul and his parents and best man not only to Canada, but into the fold. One of my favourite parts of the night was when their mothers and their terrific MC gave a hilarious English-Canadian mishmash performance that had the guests howling with laughter.
Paul and Sam, thank you for not only trusting me to document your wedding, but for being so kind over the past year. It was a true pleasure getting to know you, and I look forward to following whatever adventures are in store for you in years to come! Enjoy reliving your wedding day through the photos!
