When your best friend tells you that she isn’t hiring a photographer for her wedding…well you pretty much freak out!

There are only a few things that make me cringe…

“we are “just” hiring the resort photographer”

“my friend/uncle/aunt/cousin has a decent camera so they will just take some”

“we just aren’t hiring a photographer”

*GASP*

Do you really understand how important photos are? I mean truly think about the meaning of them. Something makes people pick up cameras and document a moment. It’s because it was special. It pulled at your heart string and it made you smile or maybe it even made you cry. But something in you wanted to snap it and keep it forever. Yes, I am biased. I am a photographer so obviously I will tell you how important photos are. But I am also human.

Every year I make albums of our families lives. I have since the day I met my husband. I can’t tell you how often I sit down and look back at these albums. They bring so much back for me and are so important to me in my life. I often think if my house was burning down, these would be the thing I would grab if I could.

So anyway, back to Blaire making a terrible decision (hahah sorry, had to say it!)

I just couldn’t have it. But there was also a small problem. I planned to attend Blaire’s wedding of course but I also planned on bringing my little man with me. I had asked my family and friends for so much help with him this summer (blog post to come on this) that I just could not ask for any more of their time. But I also knew how important this was and how much I wanted to give Blaire and Andy special life long memories.

Family for the win…AGAIN!

My Brother and Sister In Law offered to take Mason for the weekend so I could go to Edmonton.

I was so incredibly happy that it all worked again. Again, I couldn’t do this without my family.

So, back to their day.

Andy and Blaire are the most down to earth people I know.

Andy is the epitome of a man. He works hard. He plays hard.

Blaire is everyone’s best friend. Literally. I don’t know a single person that has met Blaire that hasn’t fallen in love. She is sweet and kind. Funny and Smart. She is probably the most ambitious hard working female I know. Not to mention her laugh will light up a room…and when we are together…well that is a whole other story.

I’ve known Blaire for almost 7 years. In that time I haven’t spent too much time with Andy. Well the day of the wedding I have never felt a connection between two people like I have these two. Holy cow. Passion, love, friendship and comfort. It was all there. Everything everyone dreams of. I was in awe of it all.

The day started out amazing. The sun was shining, which is everything we could ask for when the ceremony was just outside of Edmonton, outside on their land.

As we drove to the outdoor ceremony location, the rain came…and it came hard. Ok…let’s be real. It poured! Go figure, add another one to my season.

So we all took shelter for a bit and waited until it tapered off. They had a perfect rustic outdoor ceremony. Guests had their umbrellas just in case, but it was absolutely perfect.

That is until we started formal photos. POURED AGAIN!

Bah! Why??!! This season was so hard on me for rain. I am thankful for my amazing couples that are willing to stick it out, but sometimes there is only so much we can shoot in.

So we waited again. But it only stopped for a few minutes before we had to head back to the reception, which was also on their land.

Wouldn’t ya know it, the rain stopped and it was a perfect summer evening. So you better believe I was taking these two out for some intimate sunset photos.

We made magic together. They were both so relaxed and comfortable. And all wrapped up in that golden glow.

Blaire, I love you. I love the friendship we have. I love that we can go months and months without seeing each other, but the minute we do, it’s like no time has passed at all. I am so incredibly happy for you. Thank you for including me in such a special day.

Love you Guys

XO

Nicole

I had to include this one.

All of us ladies worked at the bank together in St.Albert. That’s where everything started. I am so thankful for the friendships I have with them. And it felt so great to be a little bit of a guest at a wedding and put on a dress!