In the days leading up to Nicole and Andrew’s (leap year!) wedding we had absolutely crazy weather – spring- like one minute and loads of snow and gale-force winds the next! The day before it was looking like there would be no chance of any outdoor photos on their wedding day – much too bitterly cold with winds that would knock you right over and blowing snow.

I feared I would need to scrap all my best-laid plans to find new locations that would protect from the cold and the wind and would still give beautiful pictures on what was looking to be a gloomy end of February day. But, to my surprise, the winds calmed (relatively), the sun came out (we were only supposed to have one hour of sun), and the day was looking absolutely beautiful, with snow covered trees at Roseville Estate in Roseville.

And not only was the day beautiful, but equally stunning was the bride Nicole herself. She had chosen the absolutely perfect shade of dress to match her features and complexion and she just radiated glow – like a winter princess.

The fur stole she wore wrapped around her shoulders to keep out the cold on the walk from the estate building to the barn for the ceremony just completed her look to perfection. And can we talk about that glorious train! Breath-taking in all its petal/feather detail. The whole bridal party a vision in classic elegance with the guys in black/grey suits with vests and bow ties. Classy. So perfect for a winter wedding against the white snow.

The only hiccup that looked like it might change the course of the days’ events was a power outage (yikes!) early in the morning but that was quickly resolved and everything was back on track quickly and things went off without a hitch. The sun broke through the clouds just in time for the procession into the ceremony barn.

The ceremony was cozy with everyone bundled up in the barn, drinking hot cider, and keeping each other warm. The littles stole the show when they entered – two handsome young ring bearers and a little flower girl. They could be seen watching the officiant intently as they took it all in. Andrew and Nicole exchanged vows they had written to one another that described their partnership and their promise to continue to be life-long partners. The joy on their faces, their love for each other and for their families and friends with them could be felt throughout the day they had so perfectly planned. And then everyone was off, with Mr. and Mrs., followed very quickly by some exuberant ring bearers and flower girl!

Then we hurried to take advantage of that amazing light just over the row of trees at the back of the property for bridal photos. And rewarded we were! It was getting colder as the sun was close to setting but this bridal party was up for it, bundling up in the blankets Nicole and Andrew had for each of their guests.

This bridal party knocked it out of the park in a mere matter of minutes, because, despite the sun shining and the winds less than the storms of the days before, it was still bitterly cold so we had to work super fast! And they were up for the challenge! Some of my favourite photos are from this part of the day – it was a real whirlwind to get it all done in time (so much so my second shooter had to haul me up out of a snowbank!). We were so lucky that the pathway was just perfectly placed to take advantage of the setting sun and that I was the only one that had to kiss the snow that day!

We even convinced Nicole and Andrew that doing their portraits outside was going to be worth it……they hadn’t done a first look so we knew we still didn’t have the photos we wanted of the two of them and we were convinced doing them outside instead of indoors was going to pay off. And it definitely did! Gorgeous photos of the two of them alone for the first time as husband and wife in their own dreamy winter wonderland – picture perfect.

The little ones kept us entertained for the remainder of the evening, as they joyfully celebrated along with Nicole and Andrew’s many family members and friends through heartfelt speeches and good doses of tears and laughter……and that is just the way that Nicole and Andrew appear poised to enter into married life together…… including with the news that soon they will have a new little one too!

Wishing them a fabulous honeymoon in Europe!