The Zawalykut’s Wedding at Calgary’s Canyon Meadows Golf Club

Patti Getting Ready

We began the day of the Zawalykut wedding at the bride Patti’s apartment, where she was busy getting ready with her maid of honour Jodi. Her honorary bridesmaid Carmen was there with her daughter Raina, who we had the pleasure of photographing when she was just a newborn! Their friend Beverly was doing an excellent job on the hair, and Michelle Shampaign of Shampaign Taste Makeup Artistry was doing an excellent job on the makeup! Together they got Patti ready for the big day.

They were just wrapping up when we arrived, so we photographed Patti’s beautiful dress from Durand Bridal. We hung it in the window, letting the light shine through the beautiful ripples and details. Patti got into the dress, her stepfather arrived, and we were on our way to the church!

The Ceremony at St. Bonaventure Church

When we first arrived at St. Bonaventure Church we met Father O’Rourke, who was relaxed, professional, and an easy man to talk to. We photographed the interior of the church while we waited for the guys. The place was beautifully decorated, with spotlights in all the right places. The light made for some great establishing shots.

Patti waited anxiously in the ready room, but despite her nerves she was prepared to get out there and get married. The music started up, and as she made her way down the aisle, eyes full of happy tears, Matt became full of emotion too.

When the couple firmly stood at the front of the congregation, the ceremony began with a homily reading, followed by a set of traditional vows. Father O’Rourke blessed the rings, and the happy couple signed their paperwork, officially making them husband and wife!

The Creative Formals Along Parkside Drive

Once the ceremony ended, we went outside for photographs. Because of the late afternoon ceremony, we began the creative formals in the dark. So, embracing the chilly weather, we headed to a beautiful ridge on Parkside Drive. We filled a stack of logs with flash, and when it lit up, it was stunning. We pulled one of the vehicles up for some extra light on the couple, and in the end, the night time shoot gave Patti and Matt some stunning and unique images!

We then drove down the street to a house lit up with Christmas lights. As a backdrop, the lights created a festive bokeh effect. With the snow, the lights, and the blissful newlyweds, the final composition was breathtaking.

The Zawalykut Reception at Canyon Meadows Golf Club

We wrapped up the creative formals and drove out to Canyon Meadows Golf Club for the Reception. We met the gracious events manager, Rick, who helped us get set up for the night. The team at Canyon Meadows was incredible, and not only did they do a fantastic job decorating, but they also put on a fabulous meal.
Dinner began with a Caesar salad, followed by prime rib and Yorkshire puddings. Green beans and mashed potatoes rounded out the meal, and for dessert, a tasty lemon tart.

Speeches followed dinner, and were mostly short and sweet. Some described how the couple met online in 2014, and because of Matt’s aversion to tech, their first date was a bust. Without a cell phone, Patti couldn’t contact him to let him know she couldn’t make it! Eventually, they met for a date at Boston Pizza, and the rest is history!

Everyone took a short break to mingle, and then it was on to the first dance, where Patti and Matt swayed along to Joe Cocker’s “You Are So Beautiful.” The father-daughter/mother-son dance followed, and then the whole wedding party joined in. Carmen rocked it as DJ using the tunes from her iPod.

While slicing up the beautiful cake from Yvonne’s Delightful Cakes, Patti was sure Matt would smash the dessert into her face. But, he was a total gentleman, and instead, planted a tiny kiss on her cheek. We showed our same-day slideshow, and then everyone enjoyed the delicious lemon and chocolate cupcakes.

The entire evening was extremely relaxed, and it was a pleasure to be a part of Patti and Matt’s special day. We hope they love their images as much as we enjoyed taking them!

Online Gallery

An online gallery of all their images is available for the next 90 days. From the online gallery you are able to favourite images, order prints and share the gallery with your family and friends. The gallery can be accessed via the link below and you can contact the couple directly for their secure password.

The Zawalykut Wedding Day Slideshow

Above you will find the Wedding Slideshow that we created from a selection of the best edited photos that we captured on their special day.

Additional Blog Posts for Patti and Matt

In addition to their incredible wedding day celebration, they also have other blog posts you can enjoy. Click the links below to check out those posts.

We are so fortunate to have had the opportunity to share this special day with them and all their family and friends. We wish them many years of happiness together.

Want to share in the experience? Contact us today for a free consultation or click here to book a portrait session! We also have a wickedly fun Calgary Photo Booth that is great for any event as well as Corporate and Event Photography for all sorts of events and corporate functions.

Calgary Wedding Photographers – JM Photography © 2018

The Zawalykut’s Wedding Credits

Date | 11.17.17
Officiant – Father Colin O’Rouke
Ceremony Location – St Bonaventure Parish
Reception Venue – Canyon Meadows Golf Club
Hair – Bev
Wedding Cake – Yvonne with Yvonne’s Delightful Cakes
Florist – Rhonda with Creative Edge Flowers
Photography by Jeremy Martel & Muhammed Alsalim

Learn more about our studio

JM Photography offers Calgary brides the very best in wedding photography! Our unique style and best in class experience is one of a kind. Each wedding is treated with the greatest of care and creativity, resulting in breathtaking imagery. We also offer Calgary newborn photography, capture maternity sessions as well as family portraits.

We are one of the top studios in Western Canada, servicing the Calgary area, including but not limited to, Canmore, Banff, Cochrane, Chestermere, Airdrie, Lethbridge, and Red Deer. We also offer coverage in Edmonton, Vancouver and to destinations worldwide.