shannon & laura watch hockey....naaat.

"Can you come to my desk?"

I hear that maybe 10 times a day from Shannon, and she usually has something interesting to tell me. This particular moment was no shocker because I had just seen the office email announcing the winner of 2 tickets to see the Sens on Tuesday, with Shannon's name at the bottom.

Best part...she asked me to be her plus one!

We were thinking, cool... hockey tickets... could be a good night! We went to dinner beforehand, drew on the table like children, and made faces at each other. As usual.

To our absolute surprise, the Gowlings suite was filled with a yummy combination of all you can eats and all you can drinks. We had a blast, and maybe watched about 2 minutes total of actual hockey -- just the way we like it.

A couple very scary things:

I just loved these die-hard fans...

running on empty

Running on empty isn't a term I was entirely familiar with, until yesterday. Ryan and I were making our way home from downtown, and as usual, I was thankful that he always drives.

I got in, and fell face forward onto the bed. Ryan jumped on top of me and asked me what was wrong. I told him I was hungry. He made me dinner.

At 8pm, after last week's episode of Jersey Shore (I'm rarely a week behind, don't ask), I told him it was nap time. Next thing I knew, it was 6:45am. I'm so happy Ryan let me sleep all that time, I really needed it. This morning I was feeling much more myself, and I finally feel ready to combat this weekend.

It's gonna be a big one...!

Tonight I am off to Beau's Oktoberfest for a riproaring-good-time engagement shoot ♥

I'll have just enough time later this evening to get the photos off the memory cards, get everything charged for the next day, and settle in with Ryan, to a couple TV shows, and a nice glass of wine. Ahhh...Friday night, how I love you.

Tomorrow morning, bright and early, I'll be heading to Brockville for an outdoor wedding for Tanya and Josh. Fingers crossed for GORGEOUS weather, although a little shade would be nice for me and my camera!

I am very much looking forward to what Tanya has created for this wedding...it's a vintage theme, complete with antiques, lace gowns, and a vintage car. Oh and rumour is...there's a candy bar!

Remember these two?

The plan is to get home, get the photos off the card, and get everything charged for the next morning. Oh and probably pour myself a glass of wine, just to make it exactly the same as Friday night.

Sunday holds something very different: a trash-the-dress marathon. I call it a marathon because we're being very ambitious, but one of the brides is master-planner-extraordinaire, so she has every minute mapped out. Again, fingers crossed for sunshine, but a few clouds wouldn't hurt!

It's going to be a very love-filled weekend, but the saddest part is that Ryan leaves Monday morning to work in Toronto for the week. Boo. Bitter sweet though, since when he gets back on Friday we'll be packing and getting ready for our week in FLORIDAAAA!

melanie + michel | saint brigid's wedding

It wasn't long ago that we went for a walk through the Byward Market during Melanie & Michel's engagement session, and ever since that day I have been ridiculously excited for their wedding.

I wrote about how there are a few different types of clients, and on this day, September 24th, 2011, I learned that there was actually another type of client. The kind who takes your Starbucks order on the morning of the wedding, the kind who hugs you throughout the day, the kind who starts out as a client but turns into a great friend.

Gotta love having a bridesmaid who couples as a professional makeup artist!

Hair done, makeup done, time to take a breather. Melanie called Michel to wish him a happy wedding day, and that right there, ladies and gents, is the face of a girl who has never been happier.

Suddenly it was time to slip on the dress. I just loved this moment between Melanie and her bridesmaids...

Mel...you're absolutely stunning.

The ladies had everything under control, so I popped over to see how the menfolk were managing.

Melanie and Michel exchanged cards, along with a tear (or two).

It's such a wonderful thing when a wedding venue suits a couple perfectly. St. Brigid's Center for the Arts was the perfect spot for Melanie & Michel to tie the knot: it was grand, it was beautiful, and it was romantic as all else.

I've never seen a bride and groom more excited for the first kiss. I loved it. 

After the ceremony we took off for some formals...  

SO. FIERCE.

No big deal, just an amazing, amazing group of people who were ready and willing to roll with anything I threw at them. I have serious love for this crew. 

Note to add: over my right shoulder there's a security guard telling me we have to leave. Yeah buddy, nice try.

Melanie & Michel chose LAGO as the perfect spot for their reception, and I am so thankful for their choice. 

The speeches were touching, I may have even fogged up my camera for a minute or two. It takes two very special people to make a room feel so completely full of love.

The two made their way to the dancefloor, and swayed to "Lucky," singing the words to each other as they went.

I think Michel said it best when he said that you can meet a woman for a moment, meet a woman for a season, or meet a woman for life. I don't think a single person left that room wondering which one Melanie was.

Congratulations to my two favourite newlyweds ♥ I am so grateful that you chose me.

michelle + brandon | engagement

If you know me personally, you may recognize these two kids. I forget how we know each other (it's either through mutual Carleton friends, or one of Ryan's work parties...), but I can tell you this much: I find them positively adorable.

When I found out Michelle was engaged, via a simple photo of the ring that she uploaded to facebook, I freaked. I was so excited for them, and eagerly told her that if she wanted engagement shots, I'd be her girl.

Lucky for me, they were game and we set a date!

I think the funniest part of this shoot is that the first thing Michelle said to me when we met up was: "you've got your work cut out for you." I laughed, and told her they would do great. She gave me her serious face and said: "no, seriously."

Here are some of my favourites from our session at Vincent Massey Park!

♥ ...

LOVE this one... :)

I just loved how these two laughed and played around for the entire shoot. Michelle kept saying, "Brandon, be good! Smile nice!" but I'm glad he didn't :)

Made sure to get a shot of good ole' Dunton Tower (since they met at Carleton!) 

Brandon let go of Michelle's hand, and booked it for this giant wall. Naturally, I captured it.

I'm not usually one for the cheesy shots, but c'mon, that's a cool tree and hey, THEY'RE ENGAGED! WOO!

Is it too early to say I'm excited for the wedding?