Canmore Wedding Photographer

Craig & Carrie’s Cornerstone Wedding

Red Bloom Photography

I think any wedding photographer will tell you that every wedding has a hiccup.

Could be a big one like limo not showing up or makeup artist not showing up (these things have happened)

or small like someone got lost and is 15 minute late. Well every wedding but this one would be my answer!

I can not think of one hiccup that affect me anyway on this gorgeous day. From the moment I arrived this

was the most laid back day full of love and laughter. It was October 19th but the weather was warmer

then most of my September weddings. It was stunning out like the men were sweating in their suits!

These two and their little man Griffin were just the most adorable three some to photograph. Griffin

loves to help so all morning while Craig was getting ready Griffin would help him and it made for the

most adorable moments!

After their romantic indoor ceremony at Cornerstone (hint hint: if you are getting married there

please have your ceremony on the floor like these two. It is better lighting, better angle and

not as hot under the warm stage lights on the stage), we went two two locations in Canmore for

their photos. They had a nice big time allocated to photos so we did not have to rush and they

could enjoy some drinks and then we even finished early and they went off to a pub for drinks

and I head to Cornerstone to capture some detail shots. I did go to the pub first for a few images

and then gave them some alone time. Often when couples offer advice to other couples they will

say to take a bit of time for you on the day and these two and their wedding party did.

Their speeches were full of laughs…like roaring make you cry belly laughs and a few tears for a

loved one who couldn’t attend the day due to illness. These two and their laid back loving

personalities made this day just breezy and fun!

Here are a few words from the newlyweds!

How did you guys meet?
We met at Hudson’s in south Calgary. We both have a love for hockey and we were both
there with friends watching the Flames vs Canucks game. Little did we know that that
night, a mutual friend would introduce us and 2 days later we would go on our first (of
many) dates to a Flames game.

Please share the proposal story with us?
We got engaged at a place called Green Gardens in Gros Morne National Park,
Newfoundland.
Picture This: Throwing on a backpack with a tent and all the things you need for a
couple overnight stays in the back country. Hiking through the mist, up the rocky
mountain, through the forest and eventually coming out into a clearing where your
backdrop is a massive green field, 50 ft cliffs and the ocean for as far as you can see! It
was the most amazing place to saying yes and committing to a lifetime with each other.
After a night of what felt like an insane monsoon (Carrie thought we were going to end
up in the ocean, swept away), we woke up to wild sheep baaaaahing out our tent door!
It was such a beautiful morning, the fog was rolling through, the air was calm our son, 4
months at the time, was with us and loving the fresh air. We cooked breakfast, packed
everything up and wanted to get a few more photos before we made our way out. I had
Griffin strapped to me and Craig ask us to go stand by the edge of the cliff to get that
‘perfect’ photo… Little did I know he was setting up the GoPro to take a video of the
special moment. He told me to turn around and when I did, he was down on one knee. It
was the most amazing backdrop for the perfect proposal!

Most memorable moment from your wedding day?

Bride: The most amazing thing for me on the wedding day was being in a room with
EVERYONE that is most important to us in our lives. It’s not often that our entire family
gets to spend a day/night together and it truly was amazing.
The most memorable moment during the day was right when we got to our first photo
location and Craig, Griffin and I were waiting to get pictures taken and we got to take a
breath with each other and just take in the moment. The day goes by SO fast so to just
take a minute and breath was great!
Groom: I’ll ditto Carrie’s comments on having EVERYONE in the mountains together
was fantastic. But the part of the day that i’ll never forget was the moments leading up
to the doors opening and the future Mrs. O’Reilly entering the room. With our son in my
arms the minute I heard the music start there was a rush of emotion that filled my body.
Within seconds the doors opening……… and in walked the most beautiful woman I’ve
ever laid my eyes on. I literally blacked out for a few seconds starring at her walking
towards me. Holding my gorgeous brides hands that day and saying “I DO” will forever
be the best moment of the day.

Besides making the choice to marry each other, what was the easiest decision you
made for your wedding? What made it so easy?
Choosing Cornerstone Theatre as our place to get married. It is such a beautiful venue
with amazing food and amazing staff. The fact that they pretty much did everything for
us was a selling point. We had a wedding day coordinator which was there until closing
time, décor that was already there for us to use and just knowing that we didn’t need to
stress about anything (especially the small things) was totally worth it for us!

What was the most difficult, time-consuming choice that you made for your
wedding day? And advice to couples on this?
I’m not sure we really had any difficult choices. We had a few things that we weren’t
both on the same page on and one of us just made the decision and everything turned
out to be so great!!! For example, the guys suits and ties, we both had different visions
but because it was Craig’s department I just let him take the reins and do what he had
envisioned and it turned out to be amazing! I know that most weddings in the planning
stage, the female usually does the majority but if the guy wants to be 100% involved
then let them do their thing!

Advice to couples planning their wedding day?
Advice for those planning: Don’t sweat the small stuff! At the end of the day, if
something doesn’t get done or something gets missed YOU are the only one who will
know!!!

And now Craig & Carrie’s Wedding Story