Edmonton Wedding Photographer | Joanne and Julie

Joanne and Julie honoured me by asking Carla Lehman Photography to photograph their intimate Edmonton wedding.  Our first meeting was at their engagement session and the brides brought their fur babies, Tucker and Keeda. We spent a few hours doing engagement and family photos with the pups and getting know each other.  Right from the beginning of our session, I could see their connection; Julie and Joanne were so easy to photograph, simply because I didn’t need to direct them to turn into each other, to focus on their love and forget I was there.  They were so into each other, they forgot about me altogether!

After 25 years of togetherness, the couple got engaged on a trip to Hawaii and planned to have their special day surrounded by the people that meant the most to them; their family and closest friends.  It was also a day to honour and remember those who couldn’t be with them, Joanne’s parents who both passed.

The ceremony was held at the Muttart Conservatory and suited the girls’ outfits perfectly with the tropical theme.  There were tears, laughter, connection and love.  We utilized the pyramids for formal family photos, portraits with friends, and with the newlywed couple.  As a wedding photographer who has been at this venue several times, it’s always fun to find new ways to come up with new ideas and ways to photograph the venue.

After the ceremony, Julie and Joanne invited me over to celebrate with their family and friends at their home.  A tent was set up in ladies’ backyard, which is an oasis in the centre of the city!  Joanne built a saloon right there in the backyard for guests to help themselves to refreshments.  Their wedding venue tent was so elegant, mini lights, antique lanterns, rustic accents and perfect touches like Mrs. and Mrs. champagne glasses, as well as a wedding knot that Joanne made for photos with the wedding rings.

It meant the world to me to be included in their day as a friend when we started together as client and photographer.  I watched the brides dance together, family and friends joining in to dance in a circle.

When I photograph a wedding like Julie and Joanne’s, it’s hard not to be overwhelmed by the sheer emotion; seeing the partnership, their commitment to each other and the overwhelming love between two people, and those who surround them.

Joanne and Julie, I wish you a lifetime of love and laughter, joy and memories.