CHARLENE & JEFF’S WEDDING IN PARRY SOUND

After dinner, Charlene & Jeff stepped up to the podium to say some thank yous, and Charlene started out by saying that out of everything about their wedding day, it was the marriage part had scared her the least, and that it was actually this part, the part where they had to stand up in front of everyone to give their speech, that she had been most nervous about. That she was more secure in her relationship with Jeff and their future together than her ability to remember who to thank and not stumble over her words. Jeff had been by her side for so long that this day wasn’t really changing anything between them. But it was the speech and the self-inflicted pressure not to forget any of the other wonderful people in their lives who had helped make their dream wedding day a reality that had her writing out a list on the back of her name card while eating dinner (she’s so cute). But seriously…. she didn’t really have anything to worry about because like everything else that day, they rocked it out.

Jeff and Charlene grew up just down the road from each other and went to all the same schools as kids…but funny enough it wasn’t until they had moved away from home that they started seeing each other. They now live in Ottawa but came back home to Parry Sound to have their wedding at the town’s gorgeous venue for the performing arts, right on the waterfront. It was absolutely gorgeous the way they set it up with bunting and lights stretched across the high ceilings and I might have actually audibly squealed in excitement when I walked in to meet Charlene and the girls doing the final touches on the room! Once Charlene was all ready to go (complete with amazing red stilettos…although these were quickly replaced with cowboy boots to trek through the mud!) we popped open the umbrellas and it was off to meet Jeff at a lovely old barn they’d found for us to do some photos and to give them a chance to see each other alone for the first time before their ceremony. It was such a sweet moment and even the rain falling down and the chickens running around couldn’t distract them from each other. I love that they chose to see each other before the ceremony. The weather continued to play not so nice and so instead of being married outside next to the water like they wanted, their indoor space was converted into a makeshift ceremony location and it was just a gorgeous little ceremony. The rest of the day was spent sneaking candies from the candy cart they had set up, playing in the photo booth, eating a roast chicken dinner and cupcakes for dessert (…and maybe more candy too), listening to their guests tell jokes into the microphone to get the couple to kiss (as they usually try to avoid kissing in public at all costs), and being entertained all night to tunes like Sweet Home Alabama by a live band – the band that Charlene and Jeff had continually run into and heard over the many years that they’ve been together and knew they just had to get to play at their wedding. It was so perfect and just so them.

Charlene & Jeff, we hope you love the photos as much as we loved taking them and being a part of your amazing day! We also happen to like the both of you very very much and we feel very lucky to have gotten to know you and be a part of your gorgeous celebrations…thank you for being so so wonderful.

- Jenn xx

Ceremony & Reception Venue: CHARLES W. STOCKEY CENTRE PARRY SOUND, ONTARIO | Photographers: Jenn & Dave Stark of JENN STARK PHOTOGRAPHERS | Charlene’s Dress: ELLA ROSA Limited Edition | Girls hair: NORTHERN HIGHLIGHTS SALON | Girls Make-up: IMPRESSIONS IN COLOUR | Charlene’s shoes: TOWN SHOES | Catering: LOG CABIN FINE DINING | Florist: SHACKLES GREENHOUSE | Linens: GROOVY LINENS | Band: THE MICHAEL GRANKA BAND