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We were trying to incorporate Orion into the day as much as possible.”
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wendy & Michael BLiss On geOrgi A n BAY
BY PAT T I V I P O N D P H O T O G R A P H E R R I C K VA N D E R VA L K P H O T O G R A P H Y
For michael Cooper, 44, the stress of working in toronto had become a problem. Having visited Parry Sound, he thought if he ever had the chance to move there, he would. now, it was time. michael left without having secured housing or employment in Parry Sound, but soon had work as a personal trainer at the local YmCa. He started talking every day with a pretty young woman who brought her little son, orion, to day care. After a year, Wendy Rolph, 36, and Michael went on a date. Soon, the trio made a home together. After becoming engaged over the 2014 Christmas holidays, the couple decided on a natural outdoor wedding ceremony on aug. 8, 2015. wendy grew up in Pointe au Baril on the eastern shore of georgian Bay, so getting married beside the bay was important. Grand Resort Tapatoo, just south of Parry Sound on Georgian Bay, was the perfect place for the ceremony and reception. The scenic forested grounds were made for photos and the resort could accommodate out-of-town guests. “the resort brought us up to speed about what was happening as soon as when we arrived on Friday,” said wendy. “i recommend the resort as a wedding venue.” The bride and groom’s wedding party included maid of honour Jennifer nicholas, best man Joe Cremer, fl ower girls and bride’s nieces aezlyn and aleigha rolph and the bride’s son, Orion rolph, as ring bearer. the bridesmaids wore navy blue chiffon gowns, while the men dressed up in dark grey tuxedos. wendy fell in love with a gorgeous gown a year before and added a champagne sash, Swarovski crystal buttons and a jewelled belt. Two days before their wedding, the rain started coming down. But as the wedding party got ready, the sun came out and a beautiful day was born. The wooden arbour for the beach ceremony was swagged with soft ivory-coloured fabric and fresh hydrangea. a tent covering simple beach chairs on an adjacent dock filled with 130 family and friends. Carrying an ivory, champagne and pink bouquet of roses, calla lilies and hydrangea, wendy walked down the aisle to her beloved Michael to the song ‘I Can’t Help Falling In Love.’ “the most romantic moment was defi nitely when we were standing at the altar and looking at each other,” said wendy. “another wonderful moment was when we had photos taken in a secluded area and were together.” after the ceremony, a cocktail hour and dinner were held in the teak room. reception decorating was a family affair. wendy’s father cut pine rounds for centerpieces with mason jars filled with sand and rocks symbolizing the blending of two families through Wendy’s son orion. Wendy and her mom created decorations including chalkboard signs to welcome guests and invite them to “Please choose a seat, not a side.” >>