sarah & andrew | A traditional ceremony
There are some wedding days that stay with you long after you’ve packed up your camera and headed home. Sarah and Andrew’s wedding was one of those days.
Two years ago, these two gathered with their closest family and friends in Roseau River Anishinabe First Nation, Manitoba, for a beautiful ceremony celebrating their marriage. From the moment I arrived, I felt so welcome and at ease. There was something incredibly special about being surrounded by so many people who were genuinely excited to celebrate these two.
And the details! I remember being completely in awe of all the thoughtful touches that made the day feel so personal to Sarah and Andrew. Sarah's friends were putting the final touches on the arch before the ceremony started. It was the kind of wedding where you could see the couple’s personality woven throughout the day—not just in the decorations, but in the way everyone came together to celebrate them.
It was a very warm day. The kind of Manitoba summer heat that makes you appreciate every breeze and every bit of shade you can find.
But the heat certainly didn't stop anyone from showing up for Sarah and Andrew.
Their ceremony was surrounded by loved ones, and the air was filled with excitement (and humidity) and joy as everyone gathered to watch these two say their vows. There is something so meaningful about witnessing a couple surrounded by the people who have supported them throughout their relationship, and this day had that feeling in abundance.
As a photographer, these are the moments I love most. The big moments are beautiful, of course, but it's the little reactions, the hugs, the laughter, and the people in the background cheering someone on that tell the fuller story of a wedding day.
After the ceremony, everyone gathered together for a delicious feast.
And honestly, is there a better way to celebrate a wedding than with good food and your favourite people?
The meal was a wonderful continuation of the day—less about formality and more about coming together, enjoying each other's company, and celebrating Sarah and Andrew. There was laughter, conversation, plenty of food, and that unmistakable feeling of being surrounded by people who were happy to be there.
Those are the moments that can sometimes get overlooked when we think about wedding photography. But years later, I think those are exactly the moments you'll want to remember.
What did the room feel like?
Who was sitting beside you?
Who was laughing the loudest?
What did it feel like to look around and realize that all of these people had come together for you?
It's hard to believe that it's already been two years since this day.
I may be a little late revisiting it—okay, maybe a week late—but I couldn't let summer come to an end without looking back at Sarah and Andrew's beautiful Roseau River wedding.
There are so many weddings I have the privilege of photographing, but every once in a while, a day comes along that reminds me exactly why I love what I do.
Sarah and Andrew's wedding was warm, welcoming, joyful, and full of the people who mattered most to them.
And two years later, I'm still grateful that I got to be there to document it.
Happy Wedding Anniversary! 💖