Fireworks, television shows and happily ever afters

by Ryan Rowell

Jessica & Neil’s engagement session is the highest commented upon engagement blog post on this blog of all time. With a whopping 77 comments! Maybe you remember their fireworks engagement session. When Jess & Neil set out to do something, be it engagement photos, killer choreographed Bollywood mini feature films to entertain guests at their reception, or entering a television contest to win a free honeymoon, they go all out!!!! Nothing stops this couple from winning, being the most over the top or throwing the best party. Seriously they are a force. I am just glad Ryan and I didn’t enter the Slice Networks 4 Weddings TV show contest because we would have gotten our asses handed to us. We were way happier being on their team for the wedding day.

And so … Jess & Neil were married on July 30th 2011, at Angus Glen Golf Club in Markham Ontario. They didn’t have a typical wedding, and if you read the paragraph before this you will know why. Their weddings, and by wedding(s) I mean they had two, were a semi-traditional Jewish ceremony and a Hindu ceremony. Myself, Ryan, and our 3rd photographer Sarah were joined by 2 videographers, and a crew of 6 cameramen from the 4 Weddings television show, plus 250 wedding guests, a whole whack of kids, a white horse, and a bridal party of 12.

It was seriously some of the most fun we have had at a wedding, ever! Now I don’t think that having a television crew follow every one of our couples around on their wedding day will be a great idea. However; if we can learn any lessons from this wedding, they would be: Give your guests something to do at the reception while they are waiting around for you to enter, or in between courses. Jessica and Neil made 2 mini movies, one that mocked and illustrated how they met (it was actually really well done, and in the style of the show How I Met Your Mother, so if you know it you would have really appreciated this video) and the other one was a crazy Bollywood dance video. Seriously everyone loved it! Secondly, get a candy table, the line up to get candy at their wedding was at least 10 mins long and the dance floor was still packed. And finally… come into your reception dancing. Why do you ask? because in our experience at the 100’s of weddings we have watched over the years. Couples who get up and dance, and have a great time in front of their guests usually end up partying until the late hours of the night with them. Let your guests know its okay to get up and dance. No one likes to be the first on on the dance floor, but since its your party, you’ll have to take the lead.

So here is what I want you all to do. Scroll to the very bottom of this post, once you are done admiring the photos, and leave a nice comment below for the newlyweds. Maybe congratulate them on their big win, or tell them they made the right choice in hiring us for their engagement photos and wedding haha! And if your wedding is going to be anything like this one, contact us and make the right choice too!

So to Jessica & Neil, thank you for choosing us to capture your wedding and engagement. It has been an absolute pleasure photographing you and your families. Congratulations!!!!!

Cheers

& Ryan

….and the happily ever after. You can watch it online here.

Jessica & Neil’s Dream Team

Photography: Rowell Photography
Event Planning & Design Silverberry Occasions Event Planning & Design Inc.
Ceremony & Reception Location  Angus Glen Golf Club 
Catering – for Indian Options The Host 
Videography Bright Sky Wedding Designs 
Decor Designs by Dina
Floral Final Touches
Stationery Invitations, Menus, Table Numbers,signing board Palettera Custom Correspondences 
Cake Pretty Sweet Cakes 
DJ Nspire Sound  
3rd photographer on Wedding day – Sarah Guy for Rowell Photography
Horse Dream Catcher Stables 
Officiant 1 Enduring Promises 
Officiant 2 (hindu) Dr. Ravi Srivastava
Dancers The Wedding Choreographers & Co. 
Transportation Markham First Choice Limousines  
Makeup SK Makeup Artistry  
Bride’s hair The Sarum Room Salon & Spa
Groom’s Suit Strellson Store
Bride’s Wedding Dress Designer: San Patrick
Bridesmaids Dresses Designer: Love by Enzoani 
Bride & Groom’s Indian Outfits CTC West 
Groomsmen Ties Ed’s Fine Imports 
Bride’s Fascinator Blair Nadeau Millinery