The Miller’s Wedding at The Rocking R Guest Ranch by Strathmore

Perfect Lighting on a Natural Ranch Wedding Day

A Little Bit About the Beauty of the Rocking R Guest Ranch

For the Miller Wedding we headed out south to the Rocking R Guest Ranch, a place where you are encouraged to indulge your cowboy spirit. Marvin and Terry Kinsman run the ranch, which is just a short drive from Calgary to the town of Strathmore. It is an absolutely incredible venue, with gorgeous views of Eagle Lake and the Rockies from the comfort of your cabin.

Erin Getting Ready in the Ranches Rustic Cabin

We met the girls in one of the large cabins at the Ranch, and we experienced the incredible views firsthand. On arrival we got some shots of Erin’s beautiful lacy Allure Dress from the Bridal Centre in Calgary. While Erin was having her hair done, we grabbed some detail shots. We took several of her nice yellow shoes and her beautiful square, diamond-encircled ring. Her brother Michael, who was serving as the Man of Honour, wore a pair of Converse All Stars, in a matching yellow hue. We took a nice shot of him helping her into her shoes. Then we went inside and got some fun bridal party shots, the bridesmaids all in matching yellow dresses. We got some entertaining photos of Erin and Michael playing checkers, and the girls pretending to do his makeup. He was a really good sport about all of it, and really seemed to be having fun.

Their Chucks were on for their Country Ranch Style Ceremony

The ceremony was held in one of the many beautiful fields at the Rocking R Guest Ranch. The location was absolutely gorgeous, set up with beautiful white chairs and wooden stumps filled with baby’s breath. The arch was a fantastic wooden structure filled with the wedding flowers. Live guitar music topped it all off. At the end of the aisle stood Chadd, waiting for his new bride in his own yellow Converse shoes and bowtie.

Erin came down the aisle toward her new husband-to-be, wearing a Ukrainian wedding wreath in her hair to celebrate her heritage. Eligible maidens traditionally wear the wedding wreath before they become brides.

Blair Collins officiated the ceremony wonderfully. He is a bubbly person with a great easy going attitude, and he kept the ceremony light and fun.

The specific date of Erin and Chadd’s wedding is special to their family, for several reasons. August 5th, their wedding day, is also shared by both of their parents. That day her parents were celebrating their 38th anniversary, and his were celebrating their 49th. In another beautiful gesture, the wedding band that Chadd gave to Erin had belonged to Erin’s great-grandmother, who was married in 1916. One hundred years later, it married her granddaughter to her husband. The ceremony was enjoyable, short, and sweet and the atmosphere of the day was chill and laid back.

The Family Photos at the Green Space just Behind the Ranch

Next, we moved into family photos in a grove of trees beside the ceremony location. The lighting in the trees was phenomenal.

Horse’s and the Surrounding Country Scenery were our Canvas

We began creative formals with some shots in front of the building before heading over to the fence. Erin sat upon the highest rung and we got some whimsical shots of the wedding party. We headed into the adjoining field for photos of Erin with her bridesmaids and Chadd with his groomsmen. Next we headed to another grove of trees near a pond, where we shot some intimate moments of the newlyweds. The lighting in here was also absolutely gorgeous.

Because the Rocking R is a ranch, they have several horses. The owner Terry was kind enough to help us take a horse out of the pen. We set the bride and groom up with the horse, and the shots turned out beautifully, the sun high in the background.

The Miller Reception in the Ranch’s Event Tent

We moved into the large white tent at the Ranch for the reception. The emotionally charged speeches began, and it was clear to see that there was a lot of love in the room. Both sets of parents welcomed their new children into the family. The Man of Honour gave a funny and touching speech, and the Best Man made people laugh and cry in the same breath.

The Dinner provided by the talented culinary staff at Rocking R Guest Ranch

Dinner followed the speeches. The meal was a delicious family style buffet with caprese salad, braised short ribs, chicken, and beets and parsnips. Dessert was an incredible pie buffet, with every type of pie you could imagine. Key lime, lemon meringue, rhubarb, and apple pies to die for lined the tables.

Dancing the night away to the sounds of the Original Sinners

We presented the couple with our reception slideshow right after dinner. Following that, the newlyweds launched into their first dance. They danced to John Legend’s ‘All of Me’, then moved into the father-daughter, mother-son dance. The live band Original Sinners kept the music going and people dancing.

After the dance began, we snuck out with Erin and Chadd for a few last shots at sunset. The sun began to set around 9 pm, and was just dipping beyond the edge when we arrived, giving us absolutely perfect light for the final photos of the night.

Online Gallery

An online gallery of all their images is available for the next 30 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 Erin and Chadd directly for their secure password.

https://JMphotosCA.shootproof.com/MillerWED

The Miller Wedding Day Slideshow

Above is the beautiful Wedding Slideshow that came with Erin and Chadd’s wedding package. It was created from a selection of their best photos captured on their special day, mixed to their wedding song All of Me by John Legend.
https://itunes.apple.com/ca/album/all-of-me/id679297685?i=679297849

We are so fortunate to have had the opportunity to share Erin and Chadd’s special day with them and we wish them many years of happiness together.

Want to share in the experience? Contact us today for a free consultation or to book a portrait session!

Some of my Favourite Photos from Erin and Chadd’s Wedding

The Miller’s Wedding Credits

Date | 08.05.16
Officiant – Blair Collins
Ceremony Location – Rocking R Guest Ranch
Reception Venue – Rocking R Guest Ranch
Band – Original Sinners
Photography by Jeremy Martel & Dan MacDonald

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.

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.

Jeremy Martel

A Calgary based wedding, family and event photographer that specializes in capturing the real moments of a couples story or event. He runs JM Studios and they offer couples, families, companies, corporations and brands the very best in modern photography. He began taking photos at 17 and has been captivated by mastering this art form ever since.