Andrew and Vicki had their first look at the Guelph Arboretum
The Guelph Arboretum was the backdrop for Andrew and Vicki’s “first look” wedding and family photography. Despite the torrential downpour, we were able to capture so many amazing images for the bride and groom to cherish forever. The great thing about the Guelph Arboretum is there is so much coverage from the rain with the great abundance of foilage and large trees that line the beautiful pathway at the Arboretum. There is also a gazebo that we were able to get some shelter under and still capture more family photos.
The day was actually perfect from start to finish and it helped that Andrew and Vicki are an incredibly laidback, and sweet couple. It was a long road getting there for the couple with all the hurdles covid threw at the couple. It was an emotional day given the Maid of Honour passed away last year prior to the original date of the wedding before they had to reschedule due to covid. We were still able to hang up the Maid of Honour’s dress for some photos so she could be there in spirit with the couple.
Andrew and Vicki are Clients For Life with McCormick Photography so I look forward to many more shoots with the amazing couple and their beautiful children!
Photographer | McCormick Photography
Ceremony Location | War Memorial Hall at the University of Guelph
Wedding Planner | Hospitality Services at the University of Guelph - Amanda Finoro
Dress Salon | David's Bridal
Tell us how you first met? Who what when where why? Give us the dirty details.
We first met inside the UofG Rink doors. Vicki was serving coffee's to Andrew at the Tim's in the Gryphon Centre. After two years of this Vicki changed "careers" and began working nights in Physical Resources. A mutual friend of theirs introduced them to each other and after attempting several times to get Vicki to go out with him (and a lot of No's) Vicki finally asked Andrew to a Guelph Storm game with a bunch of her friends way back on Feb 1 of 2013. It was obvious Andrew was interested as it was also a Senators game night that he turned down watching to go and meet Vick and her friends. Andrew must have done something right as their second date was a little bit later at Vicki's first ever soccer match at BMO Field in Toronto where TFC was playing Montreal in a pouring rain evening.
When did you know he/she was the one? Was there something he/she did? etc.
Andrew has taken every crazy thing thrown at him (including meeting my sister for the first time and her asking his stand on kids, right after hello. He is always supportive of me no matter what crazy adventure I start. Vicki has always had a huge heart and sees the best in everyone no matter what they've done. It's not 1 specific thing she's done but even from that 2nd date in the middle of a pouring rain "spring" evening in Toronto and trekking all the way out there without complaint it was clear she was game for all sorts of adventures and that sports would be a common thread in our relationship.
Tell us about the proposal. (Did you see it coming, how long was it in the planning? How did you feel? Were you nervous, excited, freaked out?
Andrew took Vicki on a "kid-free" date to a mid-November Guelph Storm game. After telling her it would just be a casual night out without the kids and after waiting through the whole game he proposed quietly on the bus ride home. I was pretty nervous in planning the night and the ring hadn't arrived until a week or so before the game so I was worrying I was going to have to sell the tickets and go another night or possibly just go to more storm games and try to sell not bringing the kids which definitely would have been suspicious. The Guelph Storm have begun a landmark for our family as it was there we had our first date and where I proposed, we've also gone to games as a family on numerous occasions and were lucky enough last year to be in attendance as the Storm won the OHL Championship against the 67s. It had been tossed around of potentially proposing on the jumbo-tron but knowing Vicki well enough Andrew thought that may not get the best reaction. Vicki had a feeling that Andrew was going to propose that night but after the game had ended and he still hadn't proposed it was a surprise to be shown the ring on the bus.
Tell us the one thing you love most about each other.
His soul, How he makes me a better version of myself. Vicki is such a caring and understanding woman, she always sees good in someone no matter what.
If you feel comfortable, share with us something silly or quirky the other person does.
Hmm, Nothing big jumps out to mind, having worked nights for so long it was so nice when she began working days just over a year ago. Kids instantly noticed the change in moods and how mommy didn't seem so much like a "Zombie" as she would do whatever it took to spend time with her family no matter the detriment to her sleep schedule. Deep down I think the kids understand and get how she did it for them so she could spend even more time on adventures together.
Besides getting married - What's one thing you are looking forward to on your wedding day?
Vicki- Laughing and creating a day of memories. Andrew - A day for "us" with, as much as we both aren't fans of the spotlight I think it will be nice to have a day devoted to us and to have friends and family close. Being in Guelph most of my family is far away so it will be a nice time to see the ones that do come and join in the occasion.
What's your favourite trend for weddings right now?
Nothing specific but it's been neat having been to a couple of weddings in the past couple of months and "borrowing" ideas from those have been a bit of treat and reduced some of the stress of planning. Something we saw at our friends wedding was the Day of Event slideshow which was neat knowing that will be a part of our day and how well it can all come together and put the day in perspective.
What's your favourite trend for weddings right now?
Nothing specific but it's been neat having been to a couple of weddings in the past couple of months and "borrowing" ideas from those have been a bit of treat and reduced some of the stress of planning. Something we saw at our friends wedding was the Day of Event slideshow which was neat knowing that will be a part of our day and how well it can all come together and put the day in perspective.
What's one thing you wish you would have known earlier in regards to planning?
Not to sweat the details so much, it would be ALOT of planning that you really don't think it's going to be that much but just put the landmarks in place (date, venue, photographer, music) and the rest will all fall into place. Cost of everything if we had really mapped it out likely would have delayed this another year.
