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Intimate Wedding in the Swiss Alps | Leah + Mark

This past August we traveled from Edmonton to Switzerland for the intimate wedding of Leah and Mark. Their day started in Wengen where we shared breakfast at their Airbnb and then set to getting ready and heading out to the spot where they would exchange vows. It was raining off and on the days before we arrived so we seriously lucked out with a sunny day so we decided to do their day after session and wedding all on the same day. They wed in front of their family with the Swiss Alps and waterfalls framing the background. After the ceremony and family photos, we headed on the train followed by a gondola and another train ride to get to Murren where we took their bridal portraits. As we walked up to the area where we took the photos we all gasped as the view of the Swiss Alps came into view. On the way back to the hotel we paused for a beer break as it really is Mark and Leah’s choice of drink and it was so fitting to capture them enjoying a cool pint with the alps behind them. Their wedding reception was at the hotel Eiger where each person took turns with a speech for the newlyweds. Not a dry eye was left at the table and we all laughed so hard throughout the night. Mark and Leah’s family truly made Nicole, Jon and I feel like we were part of the family. As soon as the sun started to set we raced off to capture more photos and the sky was the most perfect pastel pink. The fog kept rolling in and out as we were taking the photos and it really felt like a once and a lifetime experience. Photography: Nicole Ashley Hair/Makeup: Behind the Blush Your Narrative blog will appear here, click preview to see it live.For any issues click here

At the end of June, Nicole and I left Edmonton to jet off to Ravello, Italy for the elopement of Laila and Dennis. Earlier in the week, they tied the knot in Edmonton in a traditional ceremony before exchanging personal vows in Italy. Ravello is on the Almalfi coast of Italy and is probably the most beautiful location for a wedding. You can walk the entire town in less than an hour, just be prepared for the hundreds of steps, that’s what gelato stops are for haha! We were there during the heatwave that struck Europe this past summer so it was a fun experience trying to stay cool while carrying all of our gear. Laila and Dennis were staying in the beautiful Villa Cimbrone and we got them ready in their stunning room and then headed off throughout the town to take photos. Of course, we had to stop for vegan gelato for Laila and just regular for the rest of us. They exchanged their vows as the sun began to set over the coastline, not a dry eye was left at the end of it. We found a family-run restaurant that let us take photos on their property as we celebrated their new marriage over homemade pasta! Photography: Nicole Ashley Hair/Makeup: Behind the Blush Your Narrative blog will appear here, click preview to see it live. For any issues click here

This past May I traveled from Edmonton to Iceland with Nicole Ashley and her husband Jon to Iceland and got to work on the stunning intimate wedding of Leah and Jesse in Iceland. It was such a relaxed day full of laughter and we lucked out with the best rain-free weather which is a rarity in May in Iceland! Photography by Nicole Ashley Hair and Makeup by Behind the Blush Planning by Pink Iceland Your Narrative blog will appear here, click preview to see it live. For any issues click here

When we arrived from Edmonton to Iceland we visited the Blue Lagoon and then drove the three-hour journey up to the Arnastapi area which is so stunning. Leah and Jesse’s wedding was set to take place a few days later at hotel Budir but they also wanted some images captured around the island. The day before their wedding I got Leah’s hair and makeup done and helped with the styling and then we set off on an adventure driving around to see the epic black sand beaches and waterfalls. It was so magical chasing the sunset and we lucked out once again as the rain held out. If you want to see the images from their wedding the following day check it out here to see those! Photography by Nicole Ashley Hair and Makeup by Behind the Blush Leah’s outfit was by Free People and scarf from Red Ribbon Your Narrative blog will appear here, click preview to see it live.For any issues click here

Jo and Zeke traveled from Calgary to Portland for their engagement session ahead of their wedding happening next year in Calgary. Jo regularly visits floral shops in Calgary so we had to incorporate heading over to Solabee’s in Portland to select the perfect florals for an arrangement. This was one of the only days it rained on our trip but that didn’t damper our spirits as we drove around Portland and jumped out to take photos in different spots. Portland has no shortage of greenery and flowers everywhere and we took full advantage. We ended the session with drinks back at our cozy Airbnb and ended up ordering pizza and hanging out. I always love it when clients feel like friends by the end of the session and I am even more excited about their wedding next summer! Photography: Nicole Ashley Hair/Makeup: Behind the Blush Your Narrative blog will appear here, click preview to see it live. For any issues click here

Watching Chizuru and Jared’s vow renewal in Portland was definitely a highlight of my wedding season. I traveled from Edmonton to Portland alongside Nicole Ashley and Janine from FaBLOOMosity to capture this stunning couple. We started the day in downtown Portland and after getting both of them ready we moved onto the International Rose Garden to take advantage of this stunning floral wall. The next stop on their day was Cannon Beach where they shared handwritten vows and we all cried! Photography: Nicole Ashley Hair/Makeup: Behind the Blush Florals: Fabloomosity Your Narrative blog will appear here, click preview to see it live. For any issues click here

This past May, Nicole, Janine and I traveled from Edmonton to Portland to capture Ashley and Justin’s elopement in Portland. It was such a cool experience as I got to go along with Janine to the Portland flower markets as she chose the flowers for the bouquets for our two clients. On the day of the elopement, Ashley and Justin came over to our Airbnb as I got Ashley all glammed up and into her dress. They had their first look in their wedding attire and we then drove out to the waterfalls outside of Portland. It was so peaceful and serene at the spot that they chose to exchange personal vows. After the marriage commissioner made it official we then set out to take photos as close to the waterfall as possible. It was such an honor to be a part of their wedding day! Photography: Nicole Ashley Hair/Makeup: Behind the Blush Florals: Fabloomosity Wedding Dress from Bridal Boutique Your Narrative blog will appear here, click preview to see it live. For any issues click here

At the end of May and beginning of June, I had the honor of traveling to Ireland with Nicole Ashley and her husband Jon for the elopement of Robyn and Craig. They had visited Ireland on previous trips and fell in love with the landscape. We all arrived in Dublin and used our Tetris skills to pack our luggage into our rental and then headed out to Portrush on the northern coast of Ireland. The town was so quaint and walkable and had the most epic scenery right outside our doorsteps. The first day was their elopement where we traveled to the Giant’s Causeway, Dunluce Castle and the Dark Hedges for photos and waited out the rain to have their vows on a hidden road covered in greenery. It was such a magical wedding day as we laughed at Craig’s attempts at an Irish accent and so many other inside jokes we had made up in our short time together. Two days after their wedding we headed out to Kinbane Castle for their day after the session and we ended up with the most perfect rain-free day to explore the ruins and take photos. I am so grateful for clients like Robyn and Craig who take us along for their special moments as they promised their love for a lifetime. Photos by Nicole Ashley Photography Hair/Makeup by Janna with Behind the Blush

We planned this session just before Christmas as both Nicole and I love anything Christmas related so it was the perfect opportunity to create with this stunning couple! Check out Nicole’s blog post to see even more of the photos.

2018 was a really big year for Behind the Blush as our team grew with Caitlyn and Diane working on more weddings and projects with me! This past year was full of different beautiful destinations like Ireland, Tofino, Palm Springs, Los Angeles and of course the Rocky Mountains with so many amazing clients that I got to travel to with Nicole Ashley. Another high point of this year was being able to do the hair and makeup for both Kindle Workshops that Nicole Ashley and Ang from Myrtle and Moss put on to educate photographers. We also have to thank all of our local brides and clients here in our hometown of Edmonton for including us in their beautiful life events. This past year would not have been possible without the support of our clients, friends and family so thank you for following along on our journey! Photos by Nicole Ashley unless noted under the photo Photo by Laura Olsen during the Kindle Workshop Photo by Kayla Lovi during the Kindle Workshop Photos by Ang of Myrtle and Moss Photography Photos by Dianna Man and Makeup was done by Behind the Blush for Novelle Bridal Photo by Megan Kemshead Photos by Carlos Vicente Photos by Juan and Angie Photo by Katch Studios Photo by Sharon Litchfield Photos by Janine Rose during the second Kindle Workshop Photos from the Kindle Workshop round two held in Edmonton