The other day I was perusing some Wedding sites & blogs that I frequent and I came across a fantastic idea – well I think it’s fantastic!

It’s a twist on an already popular event. I’m sure most people are familiar with a sand ceremony being performed during a wedding ceremony, am I right?

If not, its purpose is to symbolize 2 peoples lives coming together into one but still remaining as individuals. Each person, simultaneously, pours their sand into a larger vase , where their 2 different colored sands mix together but are still identifiable.

So this new fantastic idea is called a Rock ceremony!

Here’s how it works;

At the beginning of the ceremony, every guest will get a smooth, polished, river rock and a pen. As the ceremony starts, the officiant will say something along these lines:

“Before you met, your lives were on different paths with different destinations. But love has brought you together and joined these separate paths into one. Each one of your friends and family here today have been given a small, polished stone that represents their unique individuality and their presence at your wedding today. You also each have a stone of your own that symbolizes your previous separate lives, separate sets of friends, separate families, and the different life’s journeys you once traveled. I will now ask that everyone please take out the stone you have been given and pause to make a wish or blessing for happiness and good will for the couple for the future of their marriage.”

Then the officiant will ask the guests to write a short sentiment on one side, and sign their name on the other with the pen they are given.  They are all collected, and then displayed in a glass vase after the wedding.

Isn’t that the greatest thing you’ve ever heard?? And wouldn’t it just look so neat in your home!

My brain is swirling with all the little details & happenings of this past weekend’s wedding! I have so many details I want to touch on but don’t know where to start, so I’ll simply start at the beginning…

Once upon a time, in a faraway land, a young prince lived in a shining castle. And although his castle didn’t have a Cogsworth, Lumiere or Mrs. Potts, he was still her Prince Charming. He swept her off her feet, they courted, they danced, they fell in love & they were wed!

October Ninth Two-Thousand and Ten, I woke to scattered blue skies & overcast and thought to myself “perfect weather for today’s wedding.”

It was a beautiful wedding – full of color, surprises & so much love! Oh and a few jokes along the way as well.

I drove out to Chilliwack to meet up with the beautiful bride, Sarah, and her 5 bridesmaids. The house was bustling with excitement – hair was being done, makeup was being applied and the tunes were on when I arrived.

The gentlemen waited patiently for us at the hall while the ladies did some last minute touch ups.

The ceremony was fantastic – there were tears and laughter. Oh and did anyone else remember that time when the groom’s ring was forgotten in the car in the purse?? Hehe So we had a minor hiccup but nothing a quick bridesmaid couldn’t rectify by running out to the car and getting the ring. Everyone waited patiently, giggled some and when she came back in the room all eyes were on her. “Did she find it?” “Does she have it?” was whispered by a few and yes she saved the day!

We all piled into our vehicles, family included, and drove up the road to the Matron of Honor’s In-Law’s home. They so graciously allowed us all to take over their property for the portrait session. They have a gorgeously landscaped property! Thank you so so so much to them for allowing us to take it over – can’t thank you enough!

It was now raining cats and dogs (I don’t understand that expression but it’s cute…) so we found refuge at the Chilliwack museum.  The bridal party and I, no wait – 2 of the groomsmen went MIA. Now where was I…oh right we all spent the better part of an hour at the museum sheltered from the insane rain. We all shared in some jokes, some a little more PG rated than others.

We made it back to the reception safe and sound, just a little cold and wet. The party started at the reception and we all learnt to never give the groom, Byron, a microphone again. Just kidding Byron!

Some of the surprises of the day were the 9 live monarch butterflies we used for the portraits, the Mad Hatter cake with the Beauty and the Beast cake topper and the choreographed dance of Mr. & Mrs. Bidiuk.

The best-man’s mother raises & breeds butterflies – very cool! She brought along 9 big beautiful Monarch Butterflies for us to use in some of the portraits. We placed them all over the bride & groom for some fun shots. My favorite was the “butterfly kisses”, you place the butterfly on your nose. The butterflies were quite still, as they had been cooled before the wedding. By cooling them down it puts them to sleep, once we started using them they would warm up. One managed to flutter away but Dallan was able to chase it down (hilarious!) and bring it back to us.

The cake…what can I say about the cake…one word – WOW! The cake was made by a friend, who is a trained pastry chef but doesn’t do it as a career. She made a Mad Hatter style cake, decorated it with very colorful patterns on each layer and topped it off with a Beauty & the Beast topper. Everyone was mesmerized by the cake, myself included. Don’t tell anyone, but it also tasted FABULOUS! Shhhh!

Sarah & Byron’s first dance was very romantic, saucy and sexy – yes all three can co-exist nicely They both love to dance and they did a perfect performance for all their guests.

To Sarah & Byron, thank you so much for allowing me to capture this special day for you! Can’t wait to work with you again when there are little Bidiuks on the way! Enjoy the photographs!!

November 22^nd, 2009 I met with a very cool & creative couple about their upcoming wedding the following summer.  We booked their special day & we were all so excited to be working together! Fast forward to their engagement session on July 3^rd – we rocked the session with goofy poses & faces. The pictures were fabulous & I had made new friends, even though I stepped on a poor, unsuspecting snail!

For months leading up to the wedding Jaclyn & I were in constant contact as she is a VERY organized person, turns out she’s an event coordinator – explains everything! Hehe.

The day of the wedding was upon us and I arrived at the ladies’ prep location inspired & excited for this particular wedding! Why? Because the couple are so organized & detail oriented that I knew there were going be lots of awesome little details to shoot that day! (I ♥ details) I was so right – the details were impressive, not only were they well thought out but they were thoughtful & meaningful to the couple!

The ladies all were so beautiful, especially the glowing bride! The cutest little girls arrived and transformed into even cuter flower girls. They’re dresses were adorable and had an amazing detail added – orange butterflies!!!  All the ladies (& girls) wore orange & silver handmade jewelry. Who made it? The fabulously talented Bride J

With everybody looking gorgeous, we hopped in our cars & traveled as a convoy to Barkley Brook Gardens.  Jaclyn took some time during the ride to reflect on how much this day meant to her & to remember those who were unable to be present on this special day.

The excitement was growing as the ceremony grew closer & the ladies tried to sneak a peek at the gentlemen as they got into position!

The groom & his men looked so well put together in their suits. The orange vests & ties made a statement & popped with the black jackets.  They’re well thought out details – the corsage, the tie pin & their cuff links – were amazing.

During the ceremony Chad was nervous, I could tell because he kept making jokes & silly faces at the camera!  My favorite part was when he stated they were going to have 8 children! The look on Jaclyn’s face was priceless.  With all the jokes aside, the ceremony was very touching & thoughtful. We honored those not present with a moment of silence & the officiant gave the couple her own blessing, which was perfectly suited for them.  With a quick fist pump & a kiss the new Mr. & Mrs. VanDenBerg walked down the aisle together!

While the guests mingled & caught with family and friends they hadn’t seen in ages, we ventured around Barkley Brook with the Bridal Party and had some fun!  We re-used some props from the Engagement session & Jaclyn brought along some new ones as well. My favorites were the parasols, although the heart sunglasses were up there too.

The party continued at the reception with some fun games from the DJs and a surprise dance from the Groom. Did anyone know he was doing this?! The bride was shocked & confused as to what he was doing. Turns out it was a dance for the bridesmaids…we think! Chad continued the jokes into the garder toss. He hid a bag of jokes under the brides chair – a ball & chain, soccer ball & rubber chicken – all of which he threw at the unsuspecting single men behind him.

The reception was a roller coaster of emotions for everybody. Chad brought on the laughter, the slideshow brought back memories & tears, and the first dance brought on love.

This was a great celebration and I am so happy to have shared it with such amazing people.  Jaclyn & Chad – your love is endless and it shows. I wish you both a lifetime full of happiness. Can’t wait to photograph you again soon!

Enjoy your photographs (there’s a lot!).