Emotional Lookout Point Wedding | Jessica + Chris

It can be hard to put into words sometimes the deep impact that weddings have. They are days with love and joy, pure happiness and connection. But sometimes there are people unable to be there, deep grief, and emotional weight.

When Jessica and Chris were planning their wedding, they had dreams of exchanging vows up north at their cottage – their favourite place in the world. But when Jessica’s dad became sick, they felt that having him as part of their celebration was more important that a location. They moved up their date and kept it local. But despite their best efforts, her dad passed only weeks before their wedding day.

Going into their day, there was no doubt going to be tougher moments of shared grief. But her dad was there from the beginning as the day was full of deep blue and bright skies.

Chris and his groomsmen shared plenty of laughs, some drinks to start the day, and a cute little ring bearer full of curiosity with all of the bustle around him.

Jessica and her girls gathered in a local hotel. Quiet, reflective moments were broken up by bouts of laughter. Emotions ran high as she stepped into her wedding dress and shared that moment with her bridesmaids, an adorable flower girl, and her mom.

Chris waited at the bottom of the stairs at Lookout Point Country Club in Fonthill for his beautiful bride to be. She approached from down the stairs and a little tap had him turn towards her. They took in the moment before being joined by their entire wedding party. Her wonderful florist, Mullen Garden Market, brought her bouquet with a little surprise from her sister – an engraved photo of their dad. Tears and embraces all around.

Shortly before he passed, Jessica’s dad Brian had asked his best friend ‘Peachy’ to step into his role for their day. So as Chris waited at the end of the aisle, Jessica emerged and came down the stairs to be escorted up the aisle by her mom and Peachy. Officiate by her Aunt Deb and a beautiful reading by her cousin, the ceremony was highlighted by heartfelt moments and emotions. As they said I Do and shared their First Kiss, rose petals rained down on them from the bridesmaids.

The guests gathered inside for cocktails and it wasn’t long before they were kicking off the party. Jessica and Chris shared a beautiful First Dance before enjoying the most wonderful speeches. Tears flowed as her sister and mom shared stories about her dad who was feeling deeply missed in that moment.

I personally found the parent dances to be the most memorable part of the evening. Chris shared his mother/son dance between his mom and Jessica’s – a beautiful gesture. Jessica’s was shared with her father’s closest friends and Chris’ dad in the most heartbreakingly beautiful way. Not a dry face in the room (mine included), it was obvious how everyone was feeling. Even now, looking back on the images and writing, it’s hard to find the words to properly describe the feelings from that moment.

I am so incredibly thankful to have been there for Jessica and Chris. It’s weddings like this that especially drive home the feeling of a wedding not being about ME as a wedding photographer. There is nothing more amazing than human connection – the connections leading up to the wedding day and beyond.

vendors
venue Lookout Point Country Club, Fonthill, ON
officiant Bride’s Aunt Deb
makeup family friend
florist Mullen Garden Market
dj Sound of Harmony
cake Cake by Cheryl
transportation Hamilton Limo
dress Marilee’s Bridal, Hayley Paige

*unfortunately shortly after the wedding day, Jessica’s paternal grandfather also passed away. He was a lovely gentleman and you could see how much he loved his family.

Emotional Lookout Point Wedding | Niagara Storytelling Weddings and Lifestyle Portraits | Darling Mine Photography | available for the Niagara region, GTA and all of Canada for weddings for romantic, adventurous couples | www.darlingmine.ca info@darlingmine.ca | for information on booking wedding coverage, see here

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