Intimate wedding with a “Jaws” ending.

This summer has been incredibly rainy, but on this wedding day for Melissa & Andrew, there was 0% chance of rain! It was hot, hot, hot!

The guys got ready at the couples home in Timberland. It was pretty chill, even Zola their dog was laid back…just taking it all in! Gifts given to the groomsmen (Andrews brothers) included Marvel themed USB sticks and personalized mugs.

Then it was off to photograph the girls getting ready. Melissa was busy doing her hair, adding in extensions that really gave her a lot of dimension and layers to her gorgeous locks. The girls received personalized mugs as well for their bridesmaid gifts.

The ceremony was held at Westerner Park in the Harvest Gardens. It was a truly intimate ceremony with about 70 people in attendance. The officient did the coolest thing I’ve ever seen during a ceremony – she took a selfie with the bride and groom! It got everyone laughing and it’s something that I will always remember as being unique. I had the honour of sitting at her table at the reception where the laughs continued. Very funny woman of God – check her out, Pastor Massiel (her info is linked at the bottom of the blog).

During the ceremony there was a faith-based message, sand ceremony and beautiful prayers. Piano music complimented many parts of the ceremony. The decor consisted of white chairs and flower buckets hanging from metal poles down the entire length of the aisle. A blue and purple theme was evident throughout the entire day. Around the gazebo were beautiful swags of material. Even Zola the dog had a special outfit to wear, which of course was purple in colour.

Talking about a hot day, we ended up doing family formals in the blazing sun. Everyone was real troopers as we quickly got through the list.

After family formals, we went to Coronation Park which had lots of character this time of year – tall grasses, weeds that really did look like flowers, full green trees. This park can be a challenge to photograph in due to the splotchy shaded areas but you can’t beat the variety in scenery – rocks, grassy areas, tunnel of trees down either side of the paved pathway. Then it was off to the Ice Cream Shop for a quick ice cream cone and some air conditioning to cool off.

Their reception was held at the Best Western in Sylvan Lake. They had it decorated with strips of lights across the ceiling, a white/lit up material backdrop, blue and purple accents, lanterns on the tables with greenery, candles, chocolate kisses that had personalized sayings on the bottom and favours.

Dinner was really unique and something I love – BREAKFAST THEME!!! It consisted of eggs, croissants, hash brown casserole, waffles, french toast, turkey bacon, tater tots, variety of fruit and danishes. Dessert consisted of brownies that were gluten-free and extremely delicious (this is coming from someone who doesn’t have to eat gluten-free!.

The evening was pretty casual and extremely well laid out, program wise. The kissing game consisted of throwing a dice, and depending on the number that came up, this translated into a specific task they had to do – sing, dance, etc. The crowd really got into it! After a few speeches by the bridal party, the bride and groom participated in the “shoe game” and a short time of dancing before I whisked them away for some evening photographs.

As we were walking across the street to the Sylvan Lake Lighthouse, we walked through a crowd of people in lawn chairs, watching “Jaws” on a big screen overlooking the water. There were even people in their boats parked, watching the movie. We walked over to the lighthouse where I took some lit up shots of them in front of it, using flash. It was fun to walk through the crowd and the food trucks with people clapping for them!

Thanks for including me in your special day! Congratulations Mr & Mrs Foulston!

Interested in reading more about Andrew & Melissa’s story? Scroll past the photos to read about how they met and how Andrew proposed!

~ Amy

Wedding Vendors:

• Ceremony Venue: Westerner Park-Harvest Gardens
• Officient: Pastor Massiel Davila-Ferrer – College Heights SDA Church
• Florist: Calyx Floral Design
• Bridesmaid Dresses: For Her and For Him
• Reception Venue and Caterer: Best Western Sylvan Lake
• Brownies: Totally Gluten Free Bakery-Lacombe
• Special Thanks to: Little Ice Cream & Soda Shoppe

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Here’s a little bit more about Andrew & Melissa’s LOVE STORY:

• How did you meet?

Andrew wrote: We first met in gr. 12 in high school. I (Andrew) walked up to her and talked to her while she was working on a backdrop for a school event. The second time we met was at State & Main right after I (Andrew) bought my car.  I saw her at another table a little ways away, and said hi as I walked by, which led to us to getting in touch via facebook and in person in the weeks that followed, where we hit it off and started dating.

• How did you propose?

Andrew wrote: I had several different ideas/plans on how and where to propose, including Mexico and Fairmont Hot Springs, but those plans didn’t work out due to delivery delays on the ring.  So what I ended up planning out was a scavenger hunt where I took the day off work, delivered flowers to her at work with the first clue.  From there I left several clues with cute poems and riddles leading her from work back to our bedroom where I had been “hiding” in the next room waiting for her to get to the last clue, which asked her to close her eyes and call my name for me to appear.  And when she opened her eyes, I was in front of her on one knee with the ring out in front of me, asking her to marry me. 

• Which moments stand out as the best from your wedding day?

Melissa wrote: One moment was when we were in the receiving line and my dad came and gave me a hug and started to cry (a cry I can’t describe) – a moment I surely won’t forget. But, I think my favourite moment was walking down that aisle to my best friend and seeing all our friends and family their to support us. 

• What did you think when you saw your bride for the first time?

Andrew wrote: Oh man, I just remember that I couldn’t wipe the biggest smile off my face the whole time.  She was so beautiful, hair done up super fancy and in an amazing dress, and she had the biggest smile on her face too! The other thing I was thinking was “she’s walking really fast, I think she really wants to be up here with me!” 

• Can you share any tips about planning a wedding to future couples getting married?

Melissa wrote: Either hire a wedding planner or buy a wedding planning book to help you know where to start and have a list of everything to consider and remember.  And then make lists of what needs to get done and by when, and make sure you get stuff done before the recommended deadline.  We used a wedding planning book, it was super beneficial. Also, I wrote out everything we had left to do, printed out the months we had left and put them in there to know when I was going to get it done and not have to carry the list in my head. We were able to take it one day at a time. Get your wedding party to help you! Don’t be afraid to research and use online stores.

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Learn more about my studio

Amy Cheng Photography offers Central and Southern Alberta families and couples with the very best in portrait & wedding photography! I pride myself on delivering a fun, relaxing experience where you feel valued and beautiful! Although I primarily photograph weddings and family sessions, I also offer newborn sessions, maternity sessions, pet sessions, senior grad sessions and event photography.

I service the Red Deer and surrounding areas, including but not limited to, Calgary, Olds, Ponoka, Rocky Mountain House, Sylvan Lake, Lacombe, Blackfalds, and everything in between.

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Images by Red Deer Family Photography – Amy Cheng Photography © 2020

Contact me today to book your session! ~Amy Amy Cheng Photography ~ amychengphotography@gmail.com