Stef & Brett —
Canadian Museum for Human Rights

Getting Ready

The morning started with details — Steve Madden heels, an invitation laid flat on the chair beside them, the quiet before everything. Stef and her bridesmaids got ready together, and the energy in that room was exactly what you hope for: warm, a little loud, full of the kind of laughter that only happens when you're surrounded by people who have known you for years.

The bridesmaids came out holding custom "Wedding Post" newspapers — a fun little detail that set the tone for the whole day. Nobody was pretending to be calm. Nobody was taking it too seriously. That energy carried through to every photo.

The Ceremony

The ceremony was held at a church with some of the most striking interiors I've photographed — ornate murals, golden altarpieces, stained glass letting in long streams of winter light. The kind of setting that makes you feel the weight of the moment before the music even starts.

Stef cried when she saw Brett at the end of the aisle. Brett cried when he saw her. Half the guests cried. I kept shooting. That exchange — the one that happens in the first two seconds before either of them remembers there are people watching — that's the frame I'm always working toward. We got it.

Portraits at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights

After the ceremony, we headed to the Canadian Museum for Human Rights for portraits. This is one of my favourite things to build into a Winnipeg wedding day — using the CMHR as a portrait location rather than (or in addition to) a ceremony venue. The architecture is unlike anything else in the city. Designed by Antoine Predock and opened in 2014, it's the only national museum located outside of Ottawa, and it sits at The Forks where the Red and Assiniboine rivers meet.

As a Winnipeg wedding photographer, what I care about most is light. And the CMHR has it in extraordinary abundance. The alabaster walls glow warm in the winter afternoon. The glass tower floods the upper levels with dramatic overhead light. The curved ramps create natural leading lines that frame couples like they were always meant to stand there.

We had about an hour. We used all of it — family formals, bridal party shots, and then just the two of them. The wedding party was sharp — all black dresses and tuxedos — which photographed beautifully against the limestone and glass. Stef had parasols for the bridal party, which added just the right kind of soft texture to the group shots.

The Reception

The reception was in a grand ballroom — tall ceilings, ornate chandeliers, white florals, candlelight. By the time guests sat down, the room had a completely different energy from the quiet reverence of the ceremony. This was a party, and everyone knew it.

The speeches were everything. Stef's father gave a toast that had the room laughing and crying in the same breath. Brett's parents delivered theirs together, and the love in that room was palpable. I've photographed a lot of toasts. These ones stuck.

The party bus between the church and the CMHR deserves its own mention. Stef had it stocked, the music was already going, and by the time we pulled away from the curb it was already a party. Those fifteen minutes on the bus captured some of the most genuinely joyful frames of the whole day. Don't underestimate the in-between moments — they're often where the real energy lives.

The Midnight Countdown

Here's the thing about a New Year's Eve wedding: you already have a built-in crescendo. The whole room is counting down together. When midnight hit, the NYE props came out — sunglasses, beads, horns — and the couple kissed as the room erupted. I've never had a more obvious moment to photograph. And it still gave me chills.

Brett had changed into a white jacket by the end of the night. Stef had her NYE glasses on. The dance floor was full. The champagne was flowing. And when midnight came — surrounded by everyone they love — they kissed as a married couple for the first New Year of many.

Tips for CMHR Portrait Sessions

Use the CMHR for portraits, not just events

Many couples use the CMHR as their ceremony or reception venue. But you don't have to host your entire wedding there to get stunning photos. Building a 45–60 minute portrait block at the CMHR between your ceremony and reception is one of the best timeline decisions you can make if you want truly editorial wedding photos in Winnipeg.

Time your visit for late afternoon light

In winter, the late afternoon sun hits the alabaster and glass at an angle that creates a warmth impossible to replicate at other times of year. The CMHR in December at 3–4 PM is one of the best lighting environments I've ever worked in. If you're planning a winter wedding, lean into it.

Work with a photographer who knows the venue

Coordination, security protocols, and knowing exactly where to position for each type of shot — it all matters. As a Winnipeg wedding photographer with eight years of experience, I know the building well. If you're planning to use the CMHR for your portraits and want to talk through your timeline, reach out here.

Stef and Brett — thank you for trusting me with this day. New Year's Eve, a church, the CMHR, a grand ballroom, and a midnight countdown. You pulled off the whole thing with ease. These are images I'll still be proud of years from now.