Hiking on Newfoundland’s amazing East Coast Trail for your wedding photography is not a standard fare for the big day.

Especially when you’re toting a bridal party of 15 people behind you, beers in hand — and they probably had no idea ahead of time? heh oops…

I should add, convincing someone to take a nearly 20 minute hike out to Cobbler Path on the East Coast Trail on their wedding day is no easy proposition.

Steph with Andrew in tow making the trek out the East Coast Trail to take some wedding photos.

There’s a lot to consider, primarily the gross factor: sweat. No one wants to get hiking-in-the-bush sweaty on their wedding day.

But with a little persuasion on my part it was just four days before the wedding that we found ourselves out on the trail doing a pre-scout to determine if in fact Steph could make the trek out to the ocean in her elegantly svelte wedding dress. Luckily the trail was easy walking and Steph and Andrew were both very much on board once they saw the views.

Fast-forward to the wedding day.

Firstly, we got a little unlucky with the fog, which had begun to roll in about 20 minutes before we arrived at the trail head. Unfortunate but not the end of the world, as we’d soon discover. Naturally with 15 people hiking 20 minutes through the forest, you’re going to draw a few groans and grumbles from the peanut gallery.

But all of that consternation was quickly allayed when we got to the edge of the earth and nearly half a dozen whales greeted us with a show. Skimming the surface chasing capelin and even giving a little waggle of the tail now and again.

And there’s no one who will complain about that.

For those needing a much needed carb-recharge our next stop was the scenic and luxurious… McDonald’s of Torbay Road, where Andrew grabbed two boxes of fries, nuggets, and hamburgers. All promptly devoured by the crowd on the bus. After all of this it was finally back to Yellowbelly for the reception, but not before a quick stop to Trapper John’s, where it all began.

Awwwwwwwww…