Julie Williams Photography

MAKE IT YOURS: THE FIRST LOOK

The first look is something that is becoming increasingly popular in the modern wedding world. Many of my couples in the past few years have opted out of the age-old tradition of not seeing each other before arriving at the altar…and I love it! Adam and I did this and it was perfect, We were both SO chatty after spending the previous night apart, it would have been torture to have to stand up at in front of our guests for the entire ceremony not being able to talk to one another after seeing each other for the first time! We got all our portraits wrapped up well before the ceremony, had time for a bevie and some mingling and then got to go straight into the party once the I do’s were done. PERFECT. [for us!]

Maddy and Ryan decided to meet up for the first time in the campground where their families holiday each summer.

Michelle and Jeff’s Kicking Horse gondola reveal, I’ve photographed a similar first look a couple times now and it’s probably my very favorite!

Mel and Matt’s first look on a snowy day in April. What bride wouldn’t love a photo of her groom with a seriously anxious look like this?!

Ariane and Scott’s reveal took place at the viewpoint at Emerald Lake Lodge.

Melissa and Brian met while working at the Banff Springs Hotel so this couple chose to rendez vous in the iconic Mount Stephen Hall. I LOVE Bryan’s expression.

Kirsty and Matt first saw each other on the snowy terrace at the Chateau Lake Louise.

If the anticipation of seeing each other for the first time at the end of the aisle is something that you hold near and dear, I absolutely recommend sticking to tradition! Don’t give up a moment like that it it is something you’ve always looked forward to. The first look certainly isn’t for everyone, but it’s something I always like to suggest to my couples for consideration.

//”THE BEST DAY EVER” PHOTO OF THE DAY CAN BE FOUND IN THE NEWLYWED GALLERY. DON’T FORGET TO HEAD ON OVER TO CALLANDRA’S BLOG FOR HER PORTION OF THE CONTEST//

MAKE IT YOURS: PHOTO SHOOT IDEAS

So, if you’re just tuning in, Callandra from Cherry Tree Occasions and I have teamed up for what we’ve coined “The Best Day Ever!” giveaway…we’re each offering up $2000 of services [that's $4000!] to one mega-rad couple planning to wed out here in the Rockies. You can see the full contest details right here. To go along with the weeklong giveaway, I’m also doing a daily blog series: Make It Yours…a recap featuring a whole bunch of really neat, personal and thoughtful ideas I’ve seen my couples incorporate into their wedding over the past couple of years.

Like most photographers out there, I get so excited when some of my couples suggest a fun activity, thoughtful prop or personal location for the photo shoot portion of our time together on the wedding day. Today’s installment of Make It Yours will feature just a few of the neat ideas introduced to me by some of my unique brides and grooms.

Tracy was the first potential bride to get in touch with me after Adam & I decided to make the big move from Vancouver Island back out to the Rockies. As we were chatting on the phone about her Kicking Horse wedding, she mentioned that she was pretty determined to go snowboarding before her I do’s! Ever since then, I’ve been so lucky to be paired up with some pretty fun and creative couples.

I was so pleased when Rebecca and Paul were keen to head out for a float at their Lake Louise wedding.

Amber and Andy both love to skate…so we headed down to the local pond to make the most of their wedding day photo shoot. One year later, they returned to the Canmore pond for an anniversary lap!

Jen and Jon were married in the yard where she grew up. What a great, personal backdrop for their newlywed photos.

I’m not sure what it is with Kicking Horse Mountain couples, but Chantelle and Christien were just as excited to ski as Tracy was! It takes a bit of effort to get into your ski boots, but I’d say the photos are SO worth it!

Canmore locals Erin and Dave wanted to incorporate a stop at his workplace, the town fire hall into their photo session.

Calgary bride and groom, Holly & Mark wanted to slip into a classic Inglewood diner for a milkshake stop with the wedding party before heading back for cocktail hour.

And lastly, one of my personal favorites…Lauren and Neal’s tandem bike ride!

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE don’t be shy to suggest any great ideas you’ve got up your sleeve for our photo shoot.

//”THE BEST DAY EVER” PHOTO OF THE DAY CAN BE FOUND IN THE HAPPY COUPLES GALLERY. [IT MAY BE BURIED QUITE DEEP TODAY, KEEP DIGGING...I PROMISE YOU'LL FIND IT!] DON’T FORGET TO HEAD ON OVER TO CALLANDRA’S BLOG FOR HER PORTION OF THE CONTEST//

MAKE IT YOURS: THE OUTFITS!

Alright, the cat’s out out of the bag. I love a good outfit any day of the week. On the wedding day, however, outfits are clearly particularly important…for both the bride and groom! The couples who think a bit outside the box and throw in a bit of extra personality into their ensembles always get a thumbs up from me.

Tyler wore his Red Surge uniform on his wedding day – I always love it when the couple chooses to incorporate a personal uniform into their attire, but on this particular cold, winter wedding day it popped so well and gave the newlyweds such a great Canadiana feel.

An old friend of mine, Jess, found a real cute pink dress and matching pink veil for her autumn elopement to Jahson…yep, a pink veil! BONUS: while still special enough for this particular occasion, her simple pink dress certainly could be worn again, and again.

Anna chose to wear her grandmother’s absolutely adorable vintage tea-length lace wedding dress at her wintery Emerald Lake wedding. She paired it with several unique accessories for an updated style which was all her own.

Mike found his vintage rust-colored tux on Ebay early on in their engagement…Claire knew that she needed an equally rad ensemble. She scoured mountain thrift stores high and low before settling on this 1970′s gem. Their outfits suited their Nipika Mountain Resort wedding to a tee.

Christien and his groomsmen looked quite dapper in matching button-down shirts, multi-colored plaid ties, suspenders, wacky socks and TOMS shoes…

…even the little kiddos got a new set of TOMS!

Kathryn’s Kenneth Pool gown straight from the infamous Kleinfield’s was clearly stunning. Paired with Luke’s custom suit this couple gets an honest A++.

Groom in a kilt…can’t go wrong!

I just adored Megan’s ensemble: vintage dress, woolly mittens & scarf, RED BOOTS!

I’ll be honest…I kind of loved my own [hardly understated!] wedding outfit including the custom handmade poofy polk-dotted cocktail length dress, printed cardigan, vintage belt, blue shoes, feathery hair piece and a whole bunch of gold jewelry…

…if you were to ask me, I’d say my groom also looked pretty good in his striped shirt, purple tie, casual black slacks and new sneakers, just perfect for our light-hearted camping nuptials.

I thought it was great that Heather chose to wear her glasses on the day she wed Graham at the famous Banff Springs Hotel. So often we see brides and grooms opting for their contact lenses for the big day. Heather wears her glasses everyday, so she just wouldn’t have been herself without her signature funky frames.

Farm kids, Erin and Dale infused plenty of their country style into their entire day, particularly the wedding outfits…those red cowgirl boots are just perfect.

//”THE BEST DAY EVER” PHOTO OF THE DAY CAN BE FOUND IN ARIANE & SCOTT’S WEDDING ALBUM DON’T FORGET TO HEAD ON OVER TO CALLANDRA’S BLOG FOR HER PORTION OF THE CONTEST//