Classic White Wedding at the Algonquin Resort

“What is your favourite part of a wedding day to photograph”?

This is a question I am asked a lot, and when I first began photographing weddings my answer would have been coupled portraits and decor shots (facepalm). This was all that popular wedding blogs such as Style Me Pretty would show, and of course, this was the kind of site I would go to for inspiration (another facepalm). Thank The Good Lord that my approach to wedding photography has matured over the past eight years.

Couples portraits and decor are of course important but from beginning to end of any wedding day, there are countless important moments of beauty, love, connection, and celebration that are just as important… or, dare I say, more important!

A wedding day is likely the only day in a couple’s life when all of their most cherished family and friends will be together in one place… for a happy occasion. And I take this once in a lifetime day very seriously. This is why, when asked what is my favourite part of a wedding day to photograph, my answer is often the getting ready time and the reception… and every moment in between. I am not exaggerating.

I love documenting the whole wedding day. From when a couple is getting ready with their wedding party and parents, to the nerves and sweetness of a first look. From the exchange of vows and first kiss to the first walk as a married couple. From the chaos of the family photos to the fun of wedding party portraits. From the laughs during the speeches to the fun of the dance party. Every moment, big or small is important and worth documenting.

Every year there are moments – candid, unplanned moments that I find myself most attracted to and on the lookout for. This past year it was the sweet moments that happened between grandparents and their granddaughter or grandson; I don’t’ know if it’s because my own grandparents had passed long before I was married or if it’s because I just have a thing for documenting our aging generations. Whatever it was, I found that I had a sixth sense for tuning into those sweet exchanges. I should compile a collection and blog them!

Anyway, I believe that to misunderstand the importance of all parts of a wedding day and to not make every effort to document as much of it as possible, would be an incredible disservice to any couple. I always say a wedding is about so much more than the reception, the dress, and the details, and it’s my job as a wedding photographer to make sure I document it all for my couples.

And I loved photographing every part of Christine and Brad’s classic wedding at the Algonquin Resort in St. Andrews New Brunswick for all of above the reasons.