I first met Kirsten back in high school, and we have been friends ever since. When she messaged me, about a year and a half ago, telling me that she was going to propose to Nicole, I was so excited. I had never captured a proposal before and that was definitely on my photography bucket list. Shortly after that, they booked me as their wedding photographer.
Their wedding was so very special with so many personal touches and emotional moments. It all took place at the Casablanca Winery Inn in Grimsby. When I arrived with my second shooter, Melissa, the brides were getting ready in two different hotel rooms right across the hall from each other, along with the members of the wedding party. This made it so easy for Melissa and I to coordinate matching dress shots, etc. We ensured the brides were not in the hallway at the time, since they would be waiting until the ceremony to see each other for the first time in their wedding attire.
Nicole and Kirsten both added decals to their wedding shoes, which I loved. Nicole's said "I will love you every step of the way", and Kirsten's said "She's Mine". Kirsten's bouquet was gorgeous. It featured fabric roses with ornate broaches in it, along with a couple of pins in memory of her late father that said "I will always be your little girl" and "I loved her first". Also attached to her bouquet was a small blue keepsake with her father's ashes in it, so he could symbolically walk her down the aisle. The two of them had such a special relationship, and he loved Nicole as well. He was able to make it to their proposal last January and was glowing with happiness the whole time. 
For the wedding ceremony, Nicole’s side of the wedding party walked down the aisle first, followed by Nicole who walked down the aisle with her brother. Next came Kirsten’s side of the wedding party and the flower girl, followed by Kirsten and her brother. Her Zaida lifted her veil. The two exchanged heartfelt vows with plenty of happy tears. Toward the end of the wedding ceremony, the two brides did the breaking of the glass, as seen in traditional Jewish wedding ceremonies, while the guests all shouted “Mazel Tov!” in celebration. Kirsten is part Jewish, and it was nice to see them include traditions from that.
We went to a nearby waterfront park for portraits and then came back for the reception. The brides made the centrepieces themselves and included many personal touches. After dinner and speeches, the two had their first dance, and then they each danced with their brothers before the dance floor opened up for everyone. There was cake cutting, and then they played the infamous ‘shoe game’. Following that there was a flash mob, where friends and members of their bridal party joined them on the dance floor to perform to ‘24k Magic’ and ‘Born This Way’. They tossed a bouquet together, and then Nicole removed Kirsten’s garter and tossed it.
Thank you both for choosing Michelle Lewis Photography as your wedding photographer! It was such a privilege to capture your wedding and I wish you both a lifetime of happiness!