Here is a little secret:

Anytime Radelle and I drive together whether we are going to go shopping together, drive to a shoot, or a girls roadtrip,
or for breakfast- there is one thing we always do.
I am not sure how it even started. We were probably just trying to pass time on our drives together.
Or maybe we genuinly thought we would be able to master it in one drive. fools.
It has been many years and we still have not been able to master it. We try and try and try again, but to know avail.
We both sing, and we like to think we have ‘ok’ voices BUT the minute we try to harmonize, oh dang. The dogs start barking. Rockwell (radelles son)
in the backseat starts yelling “NO NO NO NO!”.

We burst into laughter everytime because we know how bad we sound, but still after many years we havent been able to sing ‘proper’ harmony.
“You are my Sunshine” and “Amazing Grace” are some of our favorites.

We take this very seriously. We clear our throats and warm up our vocal chords— me.me.me.la.la.la.
(i’m sure we look like a bunch of  crazies to other people driving by)

I blame it on being homeschooled. I am sure mom instilled this in us when we were little- there she was driving whilst conducting and
all of us (3 sisters) trying our very best to sing like angels.  That was our music class. In the car.

I am being so serious when I say that instead of turning on the radio or playing the Ipod or popping in a CD… We sing. With ‘Harmony’.
(again, I blame these actions on mom. She wouldn’t even let us listen to Power 92 growing up- afterall, you never know when Barbie Girl would come on).

I wanted to share a few more images from Cherisa & Jordan’s amazing wedding day.
They were married in an intimate ceremony in the Cardston LDS temple , with photos in Waterton near the prince of wales

& Cameron lake. The amazing day filled with love, was followed with an amazing family luncheon at the charming Cobblestone Manor,

and an amazing party full of speeches, Jordan singing to Cherisa and a fun filled dance at the lynx ridge golf course.

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I simply & totally adore this image of the dress. The light was just gorgeous.

Cherisa & Jordan had their marriage sealed in the Cardston, Alberta temple for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

The temple is an amazing backdrop for photos. So magestic!

We traveled to waterton & spent some time doing some lovely wedding images with just the two of them. We started out by the Prince of Wales hotel….which Cherisa’s grandfather actually helped build. How darling is that?

Cherisa, you are so totally radiant. Jordan is SO lucky to have you!

The drama & joy in this photo makes my heart sing. I just adore this image. It is everything that I love.

Joy, drama & natural light.

This image is another favorite image of mine. I adore the passion in it.

This wedding image was taken in Waterton right beside the Prince of Wales hotel.

Cherisa loves Jordan.

Something about this image of Jordan showcasing their rings, is so gentle & yet strong to me.This tender darling moment was captured up by Cameron Lake. I adore the feeling in it.

Cherisa is seriously the cutest girl ever.Now for a few of my signature stylized images

Flower Girls Dresses: Bella Babies

Photographer: Radelle- Eternal Reflections Photography

Luncheon: The Cobblestone Manor (mansion)

Reception: Lynx Ridge Golf Course

Gown: Ethos Bridal Calgary

DJ: Dan Glenn

Caterer: Golf Course

Veil: ebay

They have the most beautiful story.

They were neighborhood kids. They only lived a few blocks away.
The moment she saw him walking down the sidewalk she walked up to him and asked: “Will you be my friend?”
In Jr. High she would carry a photo of him in her pocket, and huddle around the lockers showing her  friends that and telling them that  this is the guy she would LOVE to marry.
She had  a not-so-secret crush on him for years. You know, the cute adorable, jr.high crush.

He’s Ukranian. She’s Italian.
They mesh together perfectly.
The moment Jesse saw her walk down the aisle. He didn’t blink.
He couldn’t take his eyes off of her.
And Theresa couldn’t wipe the smile off of her face. The moment she had wanted ever since jr. high had come true.

We did formals in Fort Edmonton Park which was fab!! Theresa rocked out the photo session and Jesse couldn’t have had more swag

The reception was in the BEAUTIFUL Polish Veterans Hall which had an amazing dance floor and stunning Chandeliers!

Theresa and Jesses day couldn’t have been more perfect.

Mucho Love,
Kari

{Vendors}

:: Hair- Belle Gente Hair Studio
:: Makeup- Bride
:: Flowers- Growers Direct by Angela
:: Transportation- Esquire Limos (driver- Owen- Fantastic!!)
:: Ceremony Venue- St. Dominic Church
:: Reception Venue- Polish Veterans Hall
:: Dj- A.J Group Live dance and DJ services

One of my favorite things about being married to Adam is our genuine friendship.

We both just really really enjoy each other.

In our downtime, we are almost always together. We even prefer to do tedious tasks together.

When he wants to go Scuba Diving, I’m game. When I want to go horse riding, he’s game.

We are truely friends.

I love when marriages are like this because, during life’s inevitable ups & downs….a marriage

based on friendship will last. That friendship can be the glue that keeps you strong & together.

I love knowing that no matter what, no matter with whom….Adam has my back.

Cherisa & Jordan are this type of couple. You can see, without a doubt, that they are friends.

Best Friends.

They laugh together, they tease, they flirt.  Yes, there  is obvious passion, adoration & love.

But at the core, at the base, the root—there is friendship.

They really just totally enjoy one another. It is so adorable.

I love this about them.

Cherisa, I couldn’t be more happy for you. I totally adore you. I think you are such a classy lady

and you have such a sweet soft disposition. Sprinkled with a great scrunchy nose smile & a contagious laugh.

I love you to pieces.

**Enjoy their lovely little slideshow HERE **

(many more wedding photos from waterton national park & cardston temple to come)…stay tuned.

xoxo

Radelle

Michelle & Rick’s amazing Banff wedding was published on the ever-fabulous Lucy Dylan Weddings blog!!!
Check it out here!!!

xoxo

Ashley and James have such an precious quiet love.  If you watch them, you will see glances, smiles, squeezing of the hand, and maybe a wink or two.
They are adorable! I loved every moment spent with them!  We spent most of our time at the Timber Ranch Trading Company because everywhere you
looked was stunning!

Mucho Love,
Kari

Vendors:
Flowers- Studio Bloom by Rosella
Hair- Stephanie Mills with So Chic Salon and Spa
Makeup- Lesley Johnson, Makeup Artist
Caterer- Elizabethan Catering Services Ltd.
Ceremony Location: Timber Ranch Trading Company- This PLACE was utterly fabulous!! It is a definite must see when choosing a ceremony location!
Reception: Muir Lake Hall

Mountain weddings are so fabulous! I really really really adore them.

With my whole heart.

When Michelle inquired about commissioning me to photograph her

amazing Banff wedding, I was so excited! I am finding that we are shooting

a lot lately in Banff, Jasper & Waterton and I couldn’t be happier.

Michelle got all dolled up in the Banff Park Lodge

Their charming ceremony was held in central park in Banff. I love the mountains all around.I am in Love Love Love with this image. So magestic!

This is probably one of my favorite groomsmen shots ever!Michelle & Rick,  you two are so darling.

I am SO glad that you choose a lovely mountain wedding!Michelle,  you are so totally, totally radiant.

I was in line at my all time favorite tea shops- yes, Starbucks (i know, i know- but their Herbal London Fog is to DIE FOR, well that sounded a little extreme,
ok, I would wait in line for it even if there was still 8 people ahead of me.), anyways, I heard this little boy talking to his little sister…
about things they were afraid of. And well, that got me thinking….

Things I am afraid of:

::: Heights- anything higher than 5 feet off the ground makes me slightly nervous and my fear just escalates from there to a point where
I almost feel a  little dizzy and my stomache starts to turn.  However I am really good when it comes to flying in a plane, or when
I am harnessed (rock climbing), or jumping on a trampoline.
::: Anything creepy crawly unless it is in its proper surroundings- nature, and still even then…
::: I am afraid that I will start taking life too seriously.
::: that I saw yellow leaves forming on trees on tonights walk with Mr. Burgess.
:::  That my feet will never have a pedicure this summer. just the thought makes me shiver.
::: that all SIX of my alarms won’t go off on a Saturday morning (to shoot a wedding).
::: that Oodle Noodle will go out of business because it is the bee’s knees.
::: That Matt’s piggybank (from his teen years), which is a spikey haired angry lookin’ gangsta’ , will fall off the bookshelf and break…. not.
::: The dark night. Like my mum always said, nothing good happens after dark.
::: That Mr. Burgess will get his hands on my Highschool play DVD- where I played a spoon. yes, a spoon. like the kind of spoon you eat cereal with.
::: Deep water- If I can’t touch, I am very hesitant to swim… and if I finally get brave and get coaxed into it I will ONLY do it if there is  a wall or
ground a few meters away…
::: The weigh scale. scccarrryy.

Mucho Love,
Kari

This past weekend I had a wedding in Banff. It was a lovely wedding & it will be featured here on the blog very soon.

BUT I wanted to take a moment to share a few things about my sister krystal. She came with me to Banff,

and we made a bit of a girls trip out of it. I have SO much fun with Krystal, and because she spends so much

time traveling back to Africa (where she lived all of last year, and the next 3 years starting 2012) where her

hubby is getting his PhD; I really miss her. So I was thrilled when I knew we were going to make a mini-sister-getaway to Banff.

The only thing missing, was our other sister Kari. (she was in Edmonton shooting a wedding).

A few quick things about Krystal :

She is the smartest sister. She works as an accountant & wherever she moves, she has people literally

begging her to work for them. This is no surprise as she used to read in bed with a flashlight & a dictionary. To, you know,

look up the words she didn’t understand.

She is incredibly kind hearted & loves children. She is so very good with my son & it means the world to me.

She is very adventurous. Her & her husband have been on so many adventures it is just crazy! I admire her

free spirit! I mean, how many 20somethings do you know that have rode an ostrich & quadded the worlds largest sand dunes.

Im just sayin’.

She is clearly VERY beautiful.

Her sense of humor is subtle but very very funny.

She is a fierce competitor in canasta

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Below is a rather embarrassing collage of a girls trip that her & I took to B.C about 5 years ago.

Let’s just say, we wore spandex that we painted words on. We hired & plane to “show us around”. We bought

weird glasses & would startle the cars of people who drove by us with our “good looks”, etc.

I just really really love her.

At Jenn & John’s wedding, they had the most charming & fun thing ever.

A real photobooth. Guests LOVED this!

Stephan from flashworks photobooth did an excellent job of managing the crowds around his booth

and making sure guests had fun.

They had the photobooth open during cocktails, and once the dance was started. Guests just flocked there and

appeared to be having so much fun!

I dragged Stephan into his own photobooth with me, and apparently, I smell bad.

No suprise after a long day of shooting (wink)

Flashworks website

People have said “you two are identical!’, “are you twins?”, “you even act the exact same!’, “wow… so clearly, you are sisters”.

You see, I don’t think we look alike at all- yes we do have a few similar features (especially when Radelle was brunette), but my goodness…
anywhere we go, we always get the reactions listed above!

It finally dawned on me one afternoon when we were spending the day with the family playing the game ‘Things”.
Radelle and I, on more than one occasion wrote the EXACT same answer. The EXACT SAME! It was wierd, like, realllly weird.

From that moment on I think we both observed and actually took note on similar we are!

* Our sense of humour is the same- we laugh over almost anything…yes, even perverted jokes.
* We love the same food- spaghetti and parm, roast and the mini potatoes…
* We even love to drink a Red Bull before weddings- although we try to cut back, because they are very unhealthy…well, we try.
* We have similar mannerisms- we talk with our hands, if we don’t understand something or don’t like something- its very much seen on our facial expression.
* We love hollywood gossip…. but umm, who doesn’t?
*  We love chick flicks…* Even the our husbands have similar temperments… which makes us similar because we married similar men. Right? Case closed!
* We love little boutiques or mom and pop cafes where everything is homemade!
* We have even shown up to events where VERY similar outfits (color and all!).
* If we had to treat ourselves to one thing, it would hands down be a massage.
* AND when we play Telepaths and are partners… we usually, ALMOST ALWAYS win
* We LOVE to go to events where you get all glam, but we also love the jeans and t-shirt BBQ’s!
* If a Lindor was presented to each of us… pretty sure we put it on our dashboard just for a few minutes (with the sun shining, or put on the heat), so it gets a little bit melted, and then devour!
(believe me, if you have not tried this… do it!)
*POP=NO, Water=YES.
*We like to think we’re pretty funny… I am sure there are people out there that would agree, and possibly (but very unlikely LOL) disagree.
* We both are clutzy. Whether its hitting my head on my car door, or Radelle tripping up a curb. Usually we just pretend like nothing happened,
and just keep walking- depending on the severity, of course.
* I think we’re nearly at the point where we can look at eachother and know what going through their mind… its a sisterly gift.

Need I say more? because there is oh so much more!

It is quite unbelievable how similar we are, but hey, we are sisters. It runs in the blood. But more than that- we are best friends.

Look at that air, helloo, that is pretty impressive for a girl who can’t even reach her toes while standing and without bending the knees- not  flexible. at all.

Radelle wanted to promise everyone of our brides, that we will not, never, ever pose you as such (see below. if you dare).

Crystal and Wes actually got married last February in Vegas! However, they wanted to hold a beautiful celebration of their love for friends and family!
When Crystal returned home from Vegas she started planning a beautiful intimate reception.
One of Crystals favorite colors is red (she’s just like me!) and so using  orgeous and timeless red roses for punches of color around the reception building.
Her bouquet actually looked very similar to mine for my wedding day- so in other terms… I loved it.
It was classic. simple. elegant.

Crystal and Wes have been by eachothers side for many years, and from the way they hold eachothers hands with that firm but delicate grip,
you know they will always stand by one another.

Fact: If I were a man, I would marry Jennifer in a second & consider myself blessed. Jennifer is seriously

one of the most gentle, kind hearted women I have ever met. I totally & completely adore her.

I don’t just adore her because we found that we had a common interest in the tv show, the bachelorette & would

email each other about the latest & greatest…..BUT I adore her because she just rocks who she is.

She seriously inspires me to be more kind, more gentle, more caring.

John is a lucky man. John is a fabulous man with a good kind heart. He is one of those people

who is who he is who he is. It doesnt matter who YOU are, John is the same guy to everyone.

I love that about him.

These two were married in the amazing catholic church in sherwood park, with photos in Fort Edmonton Park, with

their reception in the airplane hanger (it was BEYOND cool!) in Fort Edmonton park.

Jenn, you were so incredibly breathtaking!

I love these fun, fresh wedding party images. Even if I nearly got him by 100 cars to get them (wink).

Jennifer, this needs to grace your bedroom…on canvas…above Johns nighttable. Im just sayin’.

Flowers in the park did a lovely job (as always) on the floralsI adore the drama in both of these.

The tenderness in this photo is something that I adore!

These colors, all together, are just awesome.

I LOVE me some blingThe inside of the airplane hanger! unreal hey?! This was done up by the lovely Jenn from atmosphere weddings.The outside of the airplane hanger. LOVE unique locations!!

These two did their first dance to all of their guests standing around them with sparklers lit. It was unreal. SO amazing &

I totally think other couples should do it. It took my breath away.

Lovely Vendors:

Stylist: Verve Salon & Spa

Photobooth: Flashworks Photobooth

Florist: Flowers in the park

DJ: revoultion Entertainment

Limo: Northern Lights Limousine. (I highly recommend Kathy 780-447-5466. She was a total doll)

Caterer: Elizabethan catering (delish!! Especially the perogies!)

Ceremony: Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish -Sherwood Park

Reception: Blatchford Airplane Hanger

Wedding Coordinator: Jenn from Atmosphere Wedding Design

It was an extraordinary day. The sun peered out from the clouds just after the early morning rain.
Sarah got ready in The Village Creek Country Inn . The view from the back balcony was breathtaking (which is where we decided to take our photos!)
The moment I met Sarah I knew that she was a beautiful person. Inside and out. She radiated kindness and joy, and the moment she said ‘knickers’
my heart grew twice the size.

This was the day she was going to marry the man of her dreams. Who has stood by her through thick and thin. She was about to marry
her best friend.
Her sister even flew all the way from England to be a part of her beautiful day.
The giggling in the room was constant. This was a special day. For everyone.

Jay had such amazing style. He was rockin’ his bowtie and his hat. He looked so handsome!!
Even though I had to pay their 6 year old son a toonie to smile for family photos, it was worth it!
He gave me the biggest smile he had (oh, gosh he was a cutie!).

Seeing Sarah and Jay together… it made me smile. because they are the perfect fit.

Mucho Love,
Kari

Shauna & Braden have been together, forever.

It shows in how comfortable they are together. I had a fabulous time giggling with these two

lovebirds on photographing some fabulous engagement images on whyte ave.

Their wedding is going to be a very glamorous cocktail style party at the Union Bank Inn and I am

so excited for it!

Cozy Country weddings are one of my faves. This wedding in Manville was just that.
Every details was sweet & charming. The bride was sweet & charming. Her mom was sweet & charming.
The place that I had lunch before shooting was sweet & charming.
I have a really soft spot in my heart for cute villages & Manville is no exception! Whenever Adam & I
are out exploring, I always want to stop at the smallest “mom & pop” cafe that we can find.
I always order the same thing…clubhouse on brown with soup of the day. I am never disappointed.
A fun Alberta based trip for me would be to drive around from tiny town/village to tiny village exploring
and eating clubhouses. And taking pictures of all the old, falling down buildings.

Holly & Ryan grew up approx 20 minutes from each other on farms. Holly actually was raised in the house, that
Ryans mom was raised in. Cute hey? They attended Manville high school together, and after high school started
dating. Their friends say that they would have never pictured them together (with him being a farmer and her
having *ahem, cough* allergies to farm animals & chores), but that now that they are together, they are
just perfect to each other.
One of the best parts of the day was riding around on the school bus with all of the wedding party, all mutual
friends from high school, being driven around to photo locations by their real life school bus driver! (cute hey?)
These two have an amazing support network for their marriage, as their families are so intertwined in the farming
community, as well as so many mutual friends.
Truth be told, I wanted to be part of the gang. In the moments of laughter and inside jokes on the bus, I wished
I had been born a few years earlier & had attended Manville High with them. What a fun group!!

Holly & Ryan, I totally adore both of you & loved your outdoor wedding (and the gazebo that Ryan welded!!!)!
xoxo
Radelle

Pink shoes??  Be still my beating heart!! ( I threatened Holly all morning that I may or may not steal them at the reception)

I am in total love with the tenderness in these two.

Holly’s eyes have not be retouched one smig. They are THAT gorgeous!!!Holly is a part-time model. Or should be.I love the joy that is so apparent in this next set.

Some of my fave all time images right here.

These two lovebirds had some of the cutest wedding details ever!Please note the school bus with the bride & groom on the gravel road….. awesome imagery right there. *wink*Love you guys!!

Ceremony: Ryans farm

Reception: Manville Rec Hall

Catering: Holly’s Grandma (I could go on & on about this food!!!!)

Cake: Cakes by Janna

Just the way his eyes look at me. It gives a girl goosebumps.
His smile is contagious in every way. When he laughs, you can’t help but laugh- even if you don’t understand why you are laughing in the first place.
They way his cold feet touch mine before we drift off to sleep…
The way he makes a grilled cheese sandwich… its like a human version of CatNip.
Whenever I get hard on myself, he is there, right by my side- cheering me on, lifting me up, and encouring me.

I never knew marriage could be this good and this easy.

Because it is good. Very good.

Mucho Love,
Kari

“I could honestly rant about Radelle for hours! She was fabulous, amazing, friendly, professional,
fun, creative, talanted and confident. She exceeded all the expections I had. She is worth every
dollar you pay and more. I cant say enough about how aweome Radelle is as a photographer and person.
There is not one doubt in my mind that I picked the best photographer out there! I would highly recommend
Radelle to anyone out there. She is an amazing photographer and is extemely talanted, she helped
make my weddng day perfect!”
-Holly

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(huge blog post from this wedding coming on Friday. Stay tuned)

Jenine and David had a beautiful wedding in Canmore!  Nothing could ruin their day. They had a smile on their face the entire time- even when some
unfriendly weather stopped by.  Because of the weather they were able to experience the best of both worlds- they had a gorgeous outdoor mountain ceremony,
which was interupted by rain and hail but then finished their ceremony in the lodge next to a crackling fireplace. It was truly beautiful!

I couldn’t help but tear up when they said their vows. Their loved beamed through the words that were spoken.
You could see it in their eyes. That this love was real. That this love was true.

Jenine and David made their wedding unique in SO many ways!
Because they both work for the Edmonton Police they incorporated a bagpiper within the ceremony which made it even more personal for them
(if thats even possible!)
They also had a live band at the wedding reception!  (For all those brides planning a wedding- this was a fantastic idea! It really
motivated guests to get up and dance and enjoy the music being played!)

It was a beautiful honor to share in their beautiful day! I have never met anybody more genuine, caring, thoughtful and kind as Jenine and David.
I cherished every moment I spent with them- because I, again, got to see another example of true love.

Mucho Amor,
Kari

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Hair: Jenine
Makeup: Jenine
Flowers: Willowhaven in Canmore
Planner/Coordinator: Me for everything excluding the reception….Reception was held at Silvertip Golf Resort and the wedding coordinator there was Danielle McBride
Band: Millenia
Transportation Company: Calgary Luxury Limos
Dress: Paloma Blanca from ETHOS in Edmonton
Cake: None
Ceremony Location: Silvertip Golf Resort, Canmore
Reception Location: Silvertip Golf Resort, Canmore

Check out those amazing bride/ bridesmaids ‘bouquets’! Are they not fantastic!?

This is one of my favorites!

Jenine! You are breathtaking!!

I LOVE having fun with our brides/grooms it brings out true emotion and real smiles!

It was my great honor to do a guest spot on Brandis Allison’s blog regarding tips for shooting your first wedding.

Read the article/Tips HERE