As I mentioned previously, I was happy to shoot the wedding of my Sister-in-Law and her beau.
The day started early with a surprise visit to the Groom’s place. Â I interrupted Cleveland shaving and overheard him giving directions to his lost Groomsmen. Â Then came a visit to the salon, Hair Flow. Â Spent about 90 mins with the ladies getting jokes while they were beautified by Jacqueline and Make Up Artist Suzanne. Then I dashed to the house to shoot the Bridal party getting ready. Â Joanne nearly had a fit when she saw her dress hanging from the balcony! Â Â Everyone thought she would turn into Freddy Krueger and slice me up BUT I assured her the dress was safe 2 stories up and clean. Â It’s not my first time at the rodeo people!
I got to meet the amazing Honey and Dear videographers. We shouldered each other all day long getting the coverage we wanted.
After an amazing ceremony I had to get my Secret Service style on to guide the Bride through the mass of happy congratulators to hurry through the family portraits. Business first, fun later folks! Â Kind of fitting because she was like the First Lady on her day right?
We then drove to the Toronto Centre of Performing Arts for bridal photos. Â Amazing Venue. Derek the coordinator guided us to the perfect theatre area. Â Plush red chairs & dim lighting. Â Amazing spot. Â Derek was also REALLY good about keeping an eye on the kiddies while the grown folks took pics. Â We had our first causalty of the day when Navy, my 2nd Shooter got a SMALL rip in her shirt holding up my octobox light. Â I assured her it was for a good cause. Â [I think she’s going to send the Photosapien a bill.]
Then the was time for the recepotion at Le Parc Banquet Hall. Â We had some time before their entrance so what better else to do than shoot more photos! Â After the dancing entrances and video of Cleveland and Joanne, the party got started. No I mean after Echoes of Praise sang to set the mood a FULL party started!! Ive never seen people who are hungry get on the dance floor like it was midnight! Â No surprise, Echoes of Praise has been making the gospel community sing and dance for years.
Another highlight came in the form of a little reminder to the MC. As all of the unwed men were waiting on the dance floor for the garder toss, Kenny B the MC had to be DRAGGED off the mic to join the crowd. Â Good move on the part of the Reminder-er his Brother-in-law Leroy Miller! And no, Kenny B didn’t catch the garder. Lack of effort which is standard fare for guys who always avoid the garder like it was the SARS disease.
Equally as entertaining was the bouquet toss. Â The ladies, unlike the men, jockeyed for position. Elbows were out and high heel shoes tossed to the side. They meant business. Â But some shadiness occurred. Â Nicole, one of the Bridemaids, had a bad foot and still took the floor. Â She was limping a little but toughed it out. She cleverly positioned herself in front of the massive crowd and the bouquet SOMEHOW ended up at her feet. Â Not a soul was within 3 feet of her. Hmmmm.
Several embarrassing stories about the Bride by her 2 Sisters and a few courses later it was time to let the DJ Skin do his jump up and get down thing. Â This party was full of ‘Palancing’, Electric Sliding, Congo Lines they way it should be! Â I felt like I didn’t sit down all day except to drive from spot to spot! I think I was even standing while eating!
Congratulations to Joanne and Cleveland. Â I am proud of you for taking the big step. Enjoy it!
SI ‘the Never Outta Energy When a Camera Is In My Hand” Photosapien
Vendors:
Honey and Dear | Wedding Videography
Le Parc Banquet Hall | Venue
Echoes of Praise | Musical Entertainment
Kenny B | MC
Quisha Wint | Musical Entertainment
Hair Flow | Hair Stylists
DJ Skin | Nighttime Entertainment – email: [email protected]
Toronto Centre for the Arts | Photo Venue
Sunny | Limo Company
Freeman Formal Wear | Groom’s Suit