An RCMP officer escorts you down the aisle …and it’s not leading to a squad car because you’ve had too much to drink and are causing a disturbance at the wedding …it’s your dad and your mom can’t stop weeping as she watching you walk up towards your husband who’s holding back his emotions because he knows you’ll blow your ‘cool cover’ if he whimpers even slightly.
Phew – they did it – they made it down the aisle and they can laugh nervously and giggle like school kids when someone in class farts for the rest of the night…
It started at James Brett salon in the west end of Kingston where all the ladies and moms had their hair and makeup done and enjoyed relaxing hand massages and a couple of starbucks brews before returning to Megan’s mom’s house in the country where a giant tent had been erected and L’amour Catering was assisting with setup and getting their cooking gear in order to serve the 180’ish people coming to party late into the night with Megan and Brandon.
I arrived a bit before the ladies did to find the gentleman filling a canoe will ice blocks and beer while trying to figure out away to get the hose to reach the canoe from the side of the house …a bucket brigade formed and the job was done (before anyone got into their suits). After ensuring the drinks were taken care of properly *this is really one of the most important tasks of the day* the guys retreated to the basement of the home to cram themselves into a room together and get dressed. There was NO awkward conversation, hand holding, inappropriate touching or name calling AT ALL. Note: intense sarcasm as there was all of the above as you’d expect with a group of friends that have been together since grade school and a couple of late additions to the group.
The ladies gathered upstairs and enjoyed a couple of pints of Mackinnon Brothers (crosscut) while watching Peppa Pig. There may have been a small child in the room at the time but the ladies were fully immersed in the Peppa Pig world also. Presents were exchanged with tears and laughs and Megan got into her dress without it ripping (the fear is real) and settled in to read the card her soon to be husband had written her with a present …a beautiful frame for one of their wedding photos to go in (seriously …I loved this guy he was so smitten with her and the idea of having one of my photos in this frame excited me, also)
Back to the aisle …wait ..there’s TWO RCMP officers here? Did someone call to complain about the noise of both upstairs and downstairs of the home bursting with laughs and music? Nope – Megan’s brother is an RCMP officer too! (FYI – yes I did have a photo taken with them both because sandwiching me between a pair of RCMP officers is about as Canadian as you can get and there’s no way I was saying no to that opportunity when they asked if I’d like to have a photo with them both). With the ceremony tears flowing from guests and family Megan and Brandon made it through unscathed and make up in tact.
Meagan’s only must have photo was a group shot of everyone at the wedding and we found the perfect spot along the side of the house with enough space to get everyone in and get me high enough so everyone could be seen. When a bride only has one “must have” photo it gives me the freedom to float and capture authentic moments with real interactions between people that haven’t seen each other in a long time and family members that are too often far apart across the country. With such a big property to explore and lots of people
With nothing left to do except party; the speeches from parents and friends were heartwarming and the maid of honor and a bridesmaid broke out in a full on 90’s gangsta rap written about Megan’s life. I shouldn’t type any of the words used so just use your imagination.
I like to have fun at weddings – really it’s the best day ever (so far) for a couple – and this wedding was no exception – batman masks, gangsta rap, RCMP in full dress uniforms and a dancefloor rocking til the food truck showed up (hellooooo Otter Creek french fries!!). My cheeks hurt from laughing so much while hustling to cover the story of the day as seen below in the selection of my favorite photos from the day:
Hair/Makeup: James Brett | Catering: L’amour Catering and Cakes | Late Night Snack: Otter Creek Farms | Kingston Wedding Photography by SB Images