This past weekend we went to Toronto for a Hindu wedding ceremony!

Jared and Nirosh – the groom – work together – and he invited us to go!

We were so excited!

We got to Canada about 2 PM and found the banquet hall and our hotel.

We unpacked and tried to find lunch – Good Friday is a Holiday in Canada (the way it should be here in the US) – so we had few options to choose from.

We got pizza and wings – disgusting wings that we couldn’t finish – and Jared took a nap – his favorite thing to do!

The ceremony started at 7 PM – Nirosh had given us a table right at the front of the room!

The invitations were beautiful …

Nirosh walked in after a blessing – I think – from his family. He sat with his attendant and the priest for a while – praying and going through the traditions – I think …

Women dressed in blue sari’s came out before the bride to form an aisle among the elephant statues.

The women waiting for the arrival of the bride …

She was guided on each side by Nirosh’s sister and sister-in-law – followed with her maidens …

I love this shot – the smile – the color – she was so breathtaking!

This one is another favorite …

Nirosh – the one seated – waiting for his bride …

The ceremony continued with the family involved much more than a Christian wedding.

Halfway through the ceremony the women in blue sari’s brought out a portion of the meal.

Mathy leaves to put on her wedding dress …

Nirosh is hooking the necklace that seals their marriage …

This is the image I posted earlier – GORGEOUS!

They eat and change once more – then cut their cake!

We got a picture with the married couple – and left the wedding at about 11:30!

It was a great experience and we are so thankful to have been able to go!

We spent the night in Toronto last night attending Nirosh & Mathy’s wedding!

Nirosh went to MU while Jared and I were going there and they now work together!

Nirosh is Sri Lankan and had a Hindu ceremony –

This is his new wife Mathy – GORGEOUS!

I will post more photos later and tell all about our weekend!

Congrats to Nirosh & Mathy – thanks for inviting us to share your day with you!

I have been having more and more fun with PHOTOSHOP!

I had asked my cousin Connie to second shoot with me on Saturday – but ended up asking Lori to come along too – in case I would need her to take over – what with everything that had been happening.

I had prayed and prayed that I would make it through Saturday for  the wedding and then I could be down and out if I needed to be – God granted me that much!

My second digital broke on Tuesday and I wasn’t able to get it fixed in time so we had to resort to film – which was a challenge after being digital. Lori & Connie took the film and I had my 40D – GOD IS GOOD!

Here are some shots from Lori and Connie – but I don’t know whose is whose …

That last one is my fave!

THANKS AGAIN LORI AND CONNIE – I LOVE YOU DEARLY!

Saturday was a gorgeous day for a wedding!

Carrie – the bride – contacted BARDEN PHOTOGRAPHY through our monthly e-mails after being registered at the ARNOT MALL BRIDAL EXPO.

Check out WITH THIS RING in the gallery for the complete collection of photos from the *M* wedding!

Normally I try and get the ring with the flowers – but the rings were already tied on the pillow when I arrived – and it made for a great shot!

Carrie was a GORGEOUS bride – and I love this picture with this AWESOME action I downloaded.

Carrie & Eric – thanks again for choosing BARDEN PHOTOGRAPHY to capture  your special day!

Thank you Connie & Lori for being there on hand to second shoot and just for overall support – I LOVE YOU BOTH!

I had some fun exploring PHOTOSHOP this morning with images from the Sechrist wedding …

I still love this ring shot …

The Walker Cake Co. is an up and coming new bakery out of Wellsboro. They had a booth at the EXPO and the cakes were AMAZING – think Ace of Cakes style!

I am all about promoting local business – especially since I need the same support – and they are AWESOME at what they do!

Visit their MYSPACE page to check out more pictures!

Contact Stephanie & Adrian Walker @ 570.724.7151!

Pictures courtesy of The Walker Cake Co.

I thought I would elaborate on my schedule a little more and let you know where I meet my brides and grooms.

2.14.2009 – I went to high school with Shannon – our friend (also from high school) Sara had been at 2 other weddings I photographed and told Shannon about me – she sought me out at the BRIDAL EXPO.

3.14.2009 – I met this bride through the BRIDAL EXPO and the reminder e-mail I send out to brides reminding them of the month’s specials!

5.2.2009 – The groom and I have been friends since middle school!

5.3.2009 – The groom and I went to college together and I contacted him on FACEBOOK when I saw that he was engaged!

5.30.2009 – Jenna (dear Jenna) told this bride about barden photography and in turn ended up booking the Sechrist wedding (the photo I use as my heading)!

6.6.2009 – The groom is one of my brother’s best friends.

6.12.2009 – The bride attends our church and we have her children in PowerKidz every week. I also took their engagement photos!

6.13.2009 – This bride attends my parent’s church on occasion and is a result of the 5.30.2009 and Sechrist wedding bookings!

7.11.2009 – This bride saw the Sechrist wedding album in her mom’s hair salon. I also took their engagement photos!

7.17.2009 – This bride was a bridesmaid in the Sechrist wedding!

7.18.2009 – The bride is a dear college friend who lived with us for a semester! I will also be taking their engagement photos!

7.25.2009 – This bride and I went to church together while I was in high school.

8.1.2009 – This bride heard of barden photography via the Sechrist wedding.

8.8.2009 – The bride and groom live in Mansfield and I know them through my boss at the clinic.

8.15.2009 – The bride is a sister of a bridesmaid in the Campbell wedding this past November.

8.22.2009 – I met the bride at the BRIDAL EXPO and contacted her again through my monthly barden photography special e-mails.

9.19.2009 – I contacted this bride on FACEBOOK – she was a friend of a friend of a friend.

9.26.2009 – This bride was at a barden photography session with a senior this past fall. I will also be taking their engagement photos!

10.3.2009 – This bride was referred to me through a college friend – whose wedding I was supposed to photograph but had plans to be at the Ren Faire that day!

10.10.2009 – I met this bride at the BRIDAL EXPO.

10.31.2009 – I met this bride in college and through FACEBOOK and the BRIDAL EXPO!

4.2010 – This bride was at the BRIDAL EXPO but did not come to the barden photography booth – she had her e-mail on the registration list and I sent out my monthly specials!

5.2010 – I met this bride at the BRIDAL EXPO and through FACEBOOK we were able to converse and book! I will also be taking their engagement photos!

9.2010 – I met this bride at the BRIDAL EXPO! I will also be taking their engagement photos!

WORD OF MOUTH is such a great referral! I appreciate all the kinds words you spread about barden photography! I am so thankful for the business and the prospects that keep coming! The BRIDAL EXPO proved to be well worth the time and cost – and AGAIN I THANK EVERYONE THAT HELPED ME THOSE THREE DAYS!

Remember that when you refer a bride or groom that books a wedding – YOU get a free 1 hour photo session!

We had such a great time at Zach & Layne’s wedding!

Like I said – I was not the photographer for the Yoder wedding – but I couldn’t resist taking my camera – and Indica was AWESOME in letting me tag around! I told her that if Vive and Barden ever have to work together – it will be a great result!

Jared’s speech – he did a great job!

Loved the fireworks – such a great mood to the photos!

Zach & Layne – I wish you happiness beyond belief. Keep your relationship with Christ as the center of your marriage – you can do great things through Him who strengthens you!

While I was at the EXPO – Shannon came up to my booth to book her wedding! I graduated with Shannon in 1999 from AAHS. Our mutual friend Sara was at the Robert wedding that I did in November and had spread the word that I was starting a photography business. Shannon’s photographer had gone out of business a few weeks before and was in need of a photographer ASAP. Luckily, I didn’t have a wedding already on her date – 2.14.2009 – Valentine’s Day!

This next photo was kind of an oops – I had started uploading the pictures when I realized that I had already uploaded them and stopped the transfer – about 12 of the pictures downloaded with little bits of each other overlaid. I thought it came out pretty cool …

Karissa was one of the matrons of honor – she graduated with us too – she and her husband were celebrating their 10 year wedding anniversary!

It was a great wedding and so good to see lots of people from high school! Thanks again Shannon!