Getting the chance to travel and take pictures is always exciting because I get to experience new places and get new inspiration. I also love it when I have clients who enjoy and value photography as much as I do. In fact, Chris loves taking photos himself, but more of objects and scenery.
As well, shooting this wedding was more like visiting with friends, as I have known Tonia for years when we worked together at the Fort McMurray Today, where I also worked with her maid of honor Katherine and bridesmaid Dawn. The best man was Katherine’s fiancé Tyler and the groomsman was Tonia and Chris’s roommate Andrew.
I have to say that I loved Tonia’s sexy dress which very much matched her personality. For her something old she placed an embroidered pin on the back of her dress, be sure to look for it in the gallery. It was such a great idea and a wonderful personal touch.
The day was a beautiful one with the wedding taking place at the Devonian Botanical Gardens in Devon, just southeast of Edmonton. (Don’t believe your vehicle’s GPS if it tells you that it’s located at the UofA campus in the city, that got a few guests lost.) Tonia and Chris got married in a great little alpine garden which kind of reminded of the area in which we live. They had the quirkiest marriage commissioner but he definitely matched their personalities. The other great thing was that we were able to get photos all over the gardens and as a bonus we were the first of four weddings for the day.
Then it was off for a ride in the limo to get a photo over the Edmonton skyline before heading to the Fantasyland Hotel for the reception. As a celebration of Tonia’s heritage, her mom brought an Eagle feather and ink well for people to sign the guestbook with although there was a pen for those who didn’t want to try their hand at it. As well, her grandmother and grandfather made a beautiful and delicious cake.
(I have to admit that I fell a little in love with her grandfather before the ceremony when he wanted to trade me cameras – my new DSLR for his point and shoot. I told him I’d trade him the camera for $3,000 but it didn’t include lenses, to which he replied he would trade his camera but I couldn’t have the battery.)
This group definitely know how to party and they celebrated late into the evening, but I have to admit that I didn’t last.
Thanks for letting me be a part of your special day. It was definitely a lot of fun.

And in case you’re curious, you can see Tonia and Chris’s engagement photos here.
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