Allan and Wendi saw one another before their ceremony and I set up a romantic meeting for them.  Then we did most of the rest of their portrait images before the ceremony around town, including inside Henotic restaurant, which has become my favourite place for indoor photography in Lethbridge. The decor and ambiance is probably the best in Lethbridge. The owners are friendly and accommodating, too.  I was first there for photos during Heidi and Clark’s wedding last January and I’ve been back a few times since then.

Allan and Wendi’s wedding was on the grass at the top of the coulees just behind the Galt Museum here in Lethbridge on a nice sunny day without too much wind—for Lethbridge, anyway.  Allan and Wendi both wrote their own vows and you could tell immediately how much love they had for one another. Their words were so touching and meaningful. I have a photo of Wendi wiping away tears during Allan’s vows. This was the most well-videoed wedding we’ve been to, with a big news camera from Global TV as well as two, only slightly smaller, cameras wielded by George Gallant, a instructor who teaches video production at Lethbridge College, and his son. These guys all knew what they were doing and we had no problem with them getting in our way or anything like that. I’m hoping to get some footage from George to put up later as well to show you how I shoot at weddings. Stay tuned for that, too.

The reception entertainment for the evening was provided by J.R. Matthew, Entertainer Extraordinaire. His show was fantastic! If you’re ever looking for someone who can keep things alive at your reception, he would be on the top of my list. With his wife Lyn working the sound for the evening they did a very fun game show that had everyone madly competing in crazy events to win points. I will be posting some of those images in the slide show, so make sure you check back at the end of the week to see some hilarious photos of the wedding party guys in drag, and more.

The first dance started out normally and then there was a brief moment where it looked as though Lyn and JR had messed up the music, but it was all a prearranged stunt and Allan, Wendi, and Allan’s brother and his wife all launched into the Evolution of Dance routine. This was something that was going around YouTube a little while back, but it’s the first wedding we’ve been to where anyone has done it. They did it really well!

Here is a slideshow of some of their images. 

If you guessed that it is Global TV’s Wedding Wish winning couple you are correct! That’s right, here are the faces of the couple who entered and kept their identities secret by wearing Bill and Hillary Clinton masks throughout the whole contest.

They are a really fun couple and I am happy to be their photographer and am looking forward to their wedding—which is coming up very soon!

Lori was a real blast to take photos of!  She was sweet and funny and she encouraged me to misbehave.  Yes, Lori, I hold you responsible for everything.    She came down for some headshots for her portfolio and we did some fun ones as well as a normal one.  Well, the photo is normal.  Anyway, I’ll leave being funny up to the professionals and post some photos.

Do you know someone who’s experienced a tragedy, is struggling to stay afloat, is raising kids while holding down more than one job, or is volunteering selflessly despite extenuating personal circumstances? I am sure we all do know someone like this. Send me an email at mark at uniqueimagesphotography dot ca and tell me who they are and why you think they should have the prize.

The rules:

* You cannot nominate yourself, and the person nominated must sincerely be in a position of financial need. If you know someone who is an awesome person and volunteers all of their free time to charity but owns a million-dollar home, well, they would be people we’d love to take photos of any other time, but they’re not people you should nominate. Whoever you nominate should be unable to afford custom portraiture.

* The nominee must reside in Lethbridge or Calgary. Please include a way to contact both your nominee and yourself as well.

* You must email me the reasons and not just send a name.

The winner will be announced on April the 16th 2009, so get nominating! I can’t wait to read all of your entries.