Melissa and Beckett’s wedding in Stratford Ontario was one of the most sentimental and personal ceremonies/receptions I’ve ever had the pleasure of photographing! Melissa is a DIY queen, and the day was full of little touches that she lovingly made herself. She made the flowers, invitations and even did her bridesmaids hair for the wedding! She’s a trained hairdresser and barber, don’t try this at home people!
When I say Melissa and Beckett paid attention to the details, I mean it! They are high school sweethearts so they went to their senior prom together. Not only is Beckett’s navy blue tie you’ll see in the photos the one he wore on that day, but Melissa cut a heart out of her navy blue prom dress and had it sewn into her wedding dress as her “something blue”. Additionally, Melissa kept her grandmother close to heart throughout the day. The snowman watch you see is hers, and Melissa used it as her something borrowed. So sweet I could cry!
You know by now that I love to flex my photography muscles! I am always striving to learn new techniques and try new things with my couples. I’m so grateful that Melissa and Beckett were game to try a unique pose and angle! They have matching cross tattoos on their ring fingers – it’s the same finger, same angle, same design and same position. This means I had to get creative when figuring out how to get them both to photograph correctly! I wanted them both to be facing correctly, and the image had to look natural. Take a look at the finished product below, and let me know what you think in the comments!
Being high school sweethearts usually means that there are a lot of friends involved in the wedding, and Melissa and Beckett’s day was no exception! There were friends in the wedding party and they made up most of the guest list. They helped make the party bus from the ceremony to the reception a ride to remember! I have never laughed so much on a wedding day, they are such a special group! Family played a roll too and weren’t exempt to tear jerking moments. On her way down the aisle at the start of the ceremony Melissa handed a single red rose to her mother. After the ceremony was done, she handed a matching one to her new mother-in-law. Not a dry eye in the house!
Melissa and Beckett love Star Wars and Lego, so they were sure to include those special touches in their big day too. You may or may not spot the bride in a Boba Fett mask, and the groom in a Darth Vader mask! He also had Star Wars shoes which is hilariously awesome. Melissa’s shoes were cool too – brand new boots! I know I say this often but one of my favourite parts of this job is seeing how my couples put their own unique spin on a traditional institution. Your wedding day can be whatever you want it to be, and you’re not limited to following trends or doing what’s expected of you.
Melissa’s Wedding Dress: Knot too Shabby
Cake: Cakes by Shayna
Ceremony Venue: Morrison Dam
Reception Venue: Arden Park
Melissa and Beckett: A Sunset Engagement at Rockwood Mill Ruins
Josh and Theresa: A Stratford Area Farm Wedding
Kevin and Melissa: A Farmhouse Engagement Session in Stratford