CATS + CHOCOLATE

What's in that bag...?  Adina asked as she pointed to a little white bag sitting on her coffee table.  I'm not sure I said as I reached up to take a look.  There's a chocolate bar, a pink box and a card... I looked up at her and she was looking at me like I was one sandwich short of a picnic.  Clearly I don't take hints very well, I'm certain my older siblings could attest to that.  Oh wait...is it a present?!  FOR ME?!  Adina and I had shot our last wedding together last saturday so she thought it would be fitting to give me a gift as a way to say cheers for a great year!  

Inside was a pink box which housed the most perfect kitty-ear ring.  I had noticed her wearing the same one that morning on our drive to Ucluelet - and I have to admit, I got a little jealous when she didn't think  to get one for me too.  whaaaaat...I would've done the same for her ;)  We are both crazy cat ladies, so it seemed only fitting to have matching cat rings.  It's like we're part of an elite club and only the coolest cats are invited.  pun intended.

The second gift was a Dairymilk chocolate bar.  Who doesn't like chocolate?  She told me whenever she edits a wedding she eats a chocolate bar, so she was wanting to pass the tradition down to me.  I have to admit, I got a little teary-eyed as we hugged it out and cheered to the end of a great year.  Cats, chocolate and all.

Happy Friday!

THOSE GIRLS

Tomorrow is the day.  Adina and I will be shooting our last wedding of the season together and my heart is a jumble of emotions.  I know we only live a short two hour drive away from each other, but these weddings always gave us an excuse to hang out despite our busy and often times hectic schedules. 

I remember the first wedding we shot together.  It was also the first wedding I had ever photographed.  I arrived at the Starbucks in Port Alberni forty-five minutes early so I could have a snack and calm my overwhelmed nerves.  When she arrived, I grabbed the two iced teas sitting on the table and - trying to stay cool - casually made my way to her car.  And just like that we were on our way through the windy roads that lead us to Ucluelet.  Seriously.  I'm not sure if many of you have been to Ucluelet, but the road is like a very long and very windy rollercoster.  I'm not sure if it was the nerves or what, but as much as I tried to stay my chatty ole self, I felt more and more nauseas as the drive went on.  Not quite the first impression I was hoping for, but Adina was so sweet and made sure I was well taken care of.  And the wedding?  It went off without a hitch and we both had so much fun.

Through the 12 weddings she generously allowed me to join her on, we have developed such a great friendship.  We were talking the other day and she was making yet another plea for me to move there.  We'd be known as THOSE GIRLS.  Whenever one of us is downtown without the other, they'd come up to us and ask, "Where's Julie?" or "Where's Adina?" because we'd always be together.  Because we're just that cute.

Adina, I like the way you think ;)

MOUNT WASHINGTON WEDDING : LAURA + TREVOR

It was a wedding on the mountain top.  The crisp mountain air bit at your cheeks and when you spoke, a thin trail of white smoke would escape your lips.  It was like winter in July, minus all the snow ;)  The cabin was filled with laughter as we walked inside, and I could tell in that second, this was going to be a wedding to remember.  As the weather swiftly switched from perfect mountain weather to a torrential downpour (I kid you not!), Laura happily exchanged gifts with her bridesmaids, helped the flower girl with her lipstick and stayed happy, calm and relaxed through it all.  She was marrying the man of her dreams and nothing could bring her down from the joy this day brought.

Trevor waited happily for his wife to be on the mountain top.  When he seen Laura walk down the aisle, everything just stopped and it was like it was just the two of them...it didn't matter if it rained - or heck, even if it snowed!  The only thing that mattered in that moment was that they had each other.

Laura and Trevor, words cannot express how grateful I am to have been a part of your beautiful day.  To put it simply, thank you.  Your love for one another is undeniably true and I am so humbled to have been there to witness the two of you commit the rest of your lives to one another.  You two have a bright future ahead of you as husband and wife.  

An even bigger thank you goes out to my lovely friend, Adina, from Wren and Rook Photography for allowing me to tag along and shoot alongside you.  Each and every wedding we do together I have more and more fun each and every time.  Thank you for being such a great mentor and friend...Much love, J.

*edited to add* You can view Adina's blog post from Laura and Trevor's wedding day here.

How gorge is this dress??

Laura got ready in her condo at Mount Washington Alpine Resort with her girls.  I've never been in a room surrounded with so much love before.  Laura, you are one lucky lady.

Laura, you are STUNNING.

While Laura and Trevor were getting ready for their wedding, the weather outside was not going as planned.  It would rain down hard for about fifteen minutes, then let off for another fifteen.  Ten minutes before the ceremony, Laura called Trevor to make the call as to whether or not their wedding would be moved indoors or not.  The decided to keep their ceremony outside, hell or high-water (literally!) and I am oh so glad they did.

And then we were off to see Trevor and his boys in their separate condo.

The Blue Jays have been having a remakably great season this year and Laura and Trevor's wedding day happened to be on the same day they were in Seattle on a Saturday for the first time in years...their eyes were glued to the tv the whole time.

Ceremony at Raven Lodge.

The rain held off for the ceremony and started back up right before they walked back down the aisle as husband and wife!  Pure joy. 

After the ceremony we trekked down to Paradise Meadows for some portraits.  Pretty fabulous if you ask me. 

After portraits we made our way back to Raven Lodge for their reception that did not disappoint! 

I'll end it here.  Sealed with a kiss.

Happy Wednesday!!

WILLOW POINT PORTRAITS : ETANA

Definitely not a stranger to my blog, Etana is back.  We took these way back in April and for whatever reason, I failed in the posting department.  She had bought some new clothes, and like any other girl, a photo session was necessary ;)

It was a chilly day out by the water and the overcast day made the light just perfect.  We strolled around, talking and laughing as we sipped on our earl grey lattes.  It was the best day.  Well actually, any day with this girl is a good one.  Here are a few of my favourites...

A quick outfit change and we were back at it ;)

Guuurl, you are fierce!

Onnn to the last outfit and lookin' good.

Etana, you are beautiful.  Inside and out.

Happy Monday!