upandaway

We first met Justin January 2009. We had just moved back to Canada from Nashville because Darryl was asked to do a 5 month canadian tour with a new up and coming local artist. Justin was the bass player for that tour (oh and by the way, he is AMAZING). We got to know each other very well over the next few months as we were together every single day. There is no personal space when you are on a tour like this, there is no room to yourself, no day to yourself… you basically do everything together. On that tour we probably laughed harder than ever before  as over tiredness and life on the road makes people a little loopy. We discovered that Justin was not only a great bass player, not only funny but also a truly great person. Justin and Melodie were not engaged at the time and I was unsure what to think of this Mel girl. I knew I liked her and that she was good enough for Justin when she sent him a care package while we were in Ontario. This care package was not just any care package, it was jam packed with so much loot, and so much stuff that I had never even heard off! After that I was excited to meet her, and knew that she adored Justin. Melodie and Justin got engaged shortly after our tour ended, Darryl and I couldn’t be more thrilled for the two of them! We really believe in them as a couple, they are a dynamic duo that are fully in love.

Calgary has had such a mild winter, it has been the best Canadian winter I can recall. Sadly Justin and Melodie did not get married on one of the pleasant warm winter days. Nope, on their wedding day it was -27C (not including the windchill). Justin and Melodie were determined to get some outdoor shots. So we worked some quick magic and shot for about 15 minutes outside. 15 minutes doesn’t sound like a lot but when it is that cold, 15 minutes is a VERY long time!! We then proceeded to our indoor location to complete the remaining shots. Once we could all feel our hands again things went great. Basically Justin’s whole wedding party were musicians so the guy shots kind of look like band  shots, which I like! I was very tempted to post about a billion shots of the guys being… well guys, and making us all laugh, but I decided to narrow my vision. Just trust me, it was a fun time. The girls, were all wonderful, they were practically as sweet as Melodie (I say practically because, really you can’t get sweeter than her). 

The reception was perfect. The speeches were heartfelt, but always laced with some superb wit. There were tears, there was so much laughter my stomach hurt. The food, delish. The room looked like a winter wonderland.  One of the truly special moments at the reception was the father daughter dance. Mel’s father had brought in Bob Carlisle, the artist who wrote and recorded the legendary song, ” Butterfly Kisses”. He sang his famous song while they danced lost in the moment. Mel’s dad was probably the most emotional person at the wedding, it was very cute. My other highlight was simply watching how Justin looked at Mel, with such pure love and adoration. Something so beautiful. Thanks Melodie and Justin for trusting us to capture your day!