Well, this is a first. Writing a blog post for this Chateau Laurier wedding in Ottawa that I wasn’t there to photograph. It still breaks my heart, but real life beat me down so badly that I wasn’t well enough to pull through for this bride and groom.

The day before this wedding, I started to feel feverish and achy. As the day went on, it got worse and worse. I reached out to a few photographers in our community to see who was available on Saturday in the event that I woke up feeling even worse and had a few on standby as I got ready for bed. My husband was working, I was home with Smith, with a fever of 102.5, flip flopping between the bathtub and bed while my perfect child set up shop with Paw Patrol on the bathroom floor while I rested my achy bones in the bath. Nights sweats, chills, aches, a cough, a headache…I was up most of the night trying to find comfort somehow, someway. Come morning, I reached out to Barb Cameron, who saved my butt times a million by filling in for me.

Breaking the news to the bride was tough. In my 8 years of being a wedding photographer, this is the first time I have ever had to miss a wedding. I’ve showed up to weddings with a terrible cold, days after having a miscarriage, sleep deprived from being a mom to a 5 week old baby boy, and with a wrist brace, in pain holding my camera. It’s not easy to admit to yourself that you’re physically incapable of doing your job, but this time, it was unfortunately a no brainer. This bride and groom were better off with someone who would be there for them, 100 percent. I explained to the bride, Christine that Barb would be there to take the photos, but I would still be the one to edit them.

Enter Barb, life saver, photographer extraordinaire. Here are a few of my fave shots she captured of this beautiful wedding at the Chateau Laurier.

wedding dress hanging in front of vintage window bride having her makeup done bridesmaid laughing with bride as she has her makeup donewedding rings bride and bridesmaids in robes bridesmaids laying out the bride's dress to step into bridesmaids helping the bride into her dress bridesmaids tying up the bride's dress groom waiting for bride groom leaning up against brick wall bride walking over to groom for first look bride walking over to see her groom for first look bride tapping on the groom's shoulder for first look groom seeing the bride for the first time during first look first look at the Chateau Laurier

You might remember these beauties from their spring engagement session at the Mackenzie King Estate. That dress, though!

bride and groom first look bride and bridesmaidswedding bouquets by Pollen Nation groom helping bride with her train as they walk down stairs wedding party in front of Ottawa signbride and groom cuddling in front of brick wall bride and groom laughingbride and groom against green trees wedding ceremony on the Laurier Terrace at the Chateau Laurier flower girl seeing the bride from the window before ceremonyLaurier room wedding

Dream team Gloss Events and Decor and Pollen Nation transformed this room into a true beauty! Wowzers!

wedding cake pollen nation flowers and decor by Gloss EventsPollen Nation florals laurier room wedding groom walking down the aisle bride walking down the aisle with her fathergroom seeing the bride walk down the aisle wedding ceremony on the Laurier Terrace at the Chateau Laurier bride and groom laughing during ceremony

This kid had the right idea – a popsicle on a 40 degree day!

kid having popsicle during outdoor wedding ceremonybride and groom first kiss bride and groom kissing as they walk back up the aisle

Congratulations Christine and James on the most perfect day! I wish I could have been there to celebrate with you! Wishing you both a lifetime of happiness! xo

Wedding team

Wedding dress: Morilee from Alliance Bridal
Bridesmaids dresses: Davids Bridal
Florals: Pollen Nation
Decor: Gloss Events and Decor
Hair: Showpony
Makeup: Erin Heather Bridal

Wedding

Chateau Laurier wedding in Ottawa: Christine and James

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