We are really excited to offer this Season a space where our Spark couples can reflect on their Wedding Day, tell their Wedding Story in their own words, and offer other couples some inspiration and words of wisdom along the way. And what would a post be without some pictures?! We are always curious which images resonate the most with our couples after they are delivered, and this seems to be a great way to satisfy our own curiosity, and perhaps yours as well!

First up –  Lindsay and Bernie on their Vancouver Convention Centre Wedding – May 26, 2012!

To see their Engagement Session – CLICK HERE

To see their Wedding – CLICK HERE

When and how did you meet?

We met in 2007 through a mutual friend from UBC.

Your Proposal Date and Story?

Bernie proposed on December 20, 2010. Knowing how much I love Christmas, he took me on the Stanley Park Christmas train. Under thousands of twinkling lights, he proposed . . . and actually got down on one knee on the train! My response: “Oh my god, YES!”

What was a favorite image from your Engagement Session? 

The ones lying in the grass…

What was important to you when planning your Wedding?

We wanted a classy, timeless wedding, but most importantly, we wanted everyone to have fun! We were excited to celebrate our wedding with all our family and friends, and wanted everyone to have an amazing time. For Bernie, food and music were the most important elements. For Lindsay, the photographers and venue were the biggest decisions.

Favorite Wedding Details?

Our amazing Owner’s suite at the Fairmont Pacific Rim!

And I loved my shoes (I picked them out before I found the dress!).

Favorite Wedding Moment?

Definitely when Bernie surprised me by singing a song to me with the band at the reception :). I was so surprised, and it was one of the sweetest things he’s ever done. It felt like a fairytale!

Favorite image of the Bride (selected by the Groom)

Favorite image of the Groom (selected by the Bride)

So many to choose from! Probably…    :)

Favorite image(s) of you as a couple?

Again, way too many to choose from! Some of my favorites:

Do you have any suggestions/tips for other couples on their Wedding Day?

Enjoy the day and don’t stress out about all the details. At the end of the day, you’re marrying the person of your dreams, and that’s all that matters.

Anything else you’d like to mention?

Thank you to Chris and Heather for being amazing photographers, and part of our special day! We are thrilled with how our photos turned out

Lindsay and Bernie’s Wedding was filled with one surprise after another, which made for such an exciting and fun-filled day to photograph!

Usually when we meet about a month before the Wedding to finalize the photography plan for the day, we become privy to all the ins and outs. Photo locations, special events, and surprises for their guests are discussed, and we start to visualize the direction we’re going to take on the day. Of course as we always say, Weddings are almost living and breathing beings, and as such, can’t rigidly be constructed from beginning to end. For Lindsay and Bernie, this was what made their day so special! They surprised each other with touching Wedding vows which spoke true for them as a couple. They surprised their guests by incorporating traditions from both of their cultural backgrounds, and including fabulous entertainment such as the band Side One, a Karaoke Bar, and a Photobooth. And Bernie pulled off the biggest surprise – after their First Dances he went up on stage and sang to Lindsay!! Definitely a moment we will always remember.

The day of the Wedding we also got another surprise! Lindsay and Bernie were getting ready at the Fairmont Pacific Rim across the street from the Vancouver Convention Centre, and were told that they would be spending their Wedding night in the owner’s suite – the most luxurious suite Chris and I have ever seen (or even imagined)! It wasn’t ready for portraits (we did the majority of them before the ceremony), but was ready just after the ceremony. So, just after family portraits were done, we slipped off for a few moments during cocktail hour to explore their breathtaking suite!

Here is a glimpse into Lindsay and Bernie’s Wedding Day! Click on the images if you’d like enlarge them.

And of course, the surprises didn’t stop there! Bernie also surprised Lindsay with their honeymoon destination! Just told it would be somewhere “beachy” so she could pack accordingly, for these world travellers, who knows where they’ll end up? Regardless, I’m sure it will be a fabulous time!

Contributors:

Ceremony Venue: Vancouver Convention Centre

Reception Venue: Vancouver Convention Centre

Wedding Coordinators: Fortune Events – Thanks Julia and Francis! We had a fabulous time meeting and working with you!

Marriage Commissioner: Paul Gill

Bridal Hair and Make-up: Mink – Rae Pelat

String Trio: Arioso

Decor: Jack and Jill Weddings – Jill Scholl

Flowers: Buy the Bunch

Karaoke: Gary

Photobooth: Photobooth Vancouver

Cupcakes: Cupcakes

Cake: Ganache Patisserie

Band: Side One – You guys were awesome!!

Videography: PMD Photography

Behind the Scenes:

And just one of us this time. We never get a chance to do this at Weddings, but SURPRISE!, there was an opening and we took it!!

Have a great day!

Heather and Chris

Part of the success of finding the right “fit” when it comes to a photographer/client relationship, is when things just seem to come together seamlessly in the creative process, and a couple feels comfortable enough to trust their photographer to capture their relationship, and “see” their vision when they are looking for something in particular. We love it when couples bring their ideas to personalize their photo sessions, and we really get a chance to learn what makes our couple’s tick.

Lindsay and Bernie’s “Plan A” for their Session was great. But when they trusted their instincts when walking through the Olympic Village days before their Session and decided to switch locations and the feel of the Session, we were really excited. Not because the location offered something more or different for us, but because they felt that they had felt something that was really “them”. Here are a few of our favorites from the  Session.

First, an explore around the Village…

As we walked through this grassy area, Lindsay asked if we could shoot a few frames of them lying down in the grass together. But of course!

This is what we saw…

A few Vancouver-esque shots for our jet setting couple…

Did we mention these two love to travel? Lindsay and Bernie have travelled extensively, and are getting ready for 6 months living abroad before their Wedding in the Spring! Lindsay brought along a few of their travel books, including 1000 Ultimate Experiences that lists the places you must see in your lifetime, and when we opened that one it was already filled with little check-marks of the places they’ve already been. What an adventure these two will have together in life!

Then, off we went to explore an area that we have scouted, but have never shot at to that point. They wanted a run down building/warehouse, and we happened to have a place in mind that fit perfectly.

Lindsay and Bernie: Thanks for a great evening, and we hope that everything comes together smoothly as you get ready for your big trip!

H&C

Carlie and Cam – Wow!  You guys are stunning!  We hope you enjoyed your mini-moon in Tofino, we can’t wait to show you more, but for now, enjoy this little teaser from your elegant day.

Chris and Heather

One tender image of the newlyweds from Mandy and Darcy’s fabulous Wedding last weekend at the Terminal City Club. Congratulations again you two!

Warmly,

H&C

“Elegant, but with a modern twist.” This is how we were introduced to the theme for Jaclyn and Derek’s Wedding at the picturesque Swan-E-Set Bay. With Jaclyn’s background in event planning, we knew that she would be paying close attention to all the little details that we as photographers get extra excited about, and we couldn’t wait to see this great couple tie the knot. After shooting their Gastown Engagement Session back in June of 2010, it has felt like a long wait for us to get them in front of the camera again. It was definitely worth the wait for their beautiful day that started with their close family and friends before the ceremony, straight through to an evening photo session with just the bride and groom. Fun!

We started our coverage with Derek as he prepared for the ceremony with his family and groomsmen.

Derek chose to wear his RCMP serge for the ceremony, and change into a tux for our portrait session and into the reception. The serge is really impressive up close, and by watching his parents interact with him once he was in it, you could tell just how proud they are of him and his line of work.

I need to mention too, that Derek’s nieces and nephews were involved in the Wedding and are such cutie-pies! His nephews got ready with the guys, while his nieces got ready with Jaclyn. Just look at this little guy!

Before heading off to the ceremony, Derek thanked his groomsmen for supporting him.

Then, quietly confident and with an easy smile, Derek was ready to meet his bride.

We were then off to see Jaclyn, her family, bridesmaids, and the flower girls.  Jaclyn was radiant!

One of the great things about Jaclyn and Derek is how grounded they are as a couple. When we arrived, positioned prominently in their living room were words that I think many busy couples could be reminded of, including ourselves. Another reminder is how great it can be to surprise the ones you love. Derek had his groomsmen deliver some gorgeous earrings to Jaclyn, which was such a nice gesture.

It can be difficult if you are in the industry to relax, put down your “production schedule”, and experience an event firsthand as a participant, rather than as a working professional. However, Jaclyn really seemed to be able to enjoy her Wedding day as a bride, and had this calm sense of ease about her when we arrived. Even when helping with the final touches, everything was organized, and all she had to do was be a bride – and a stunning one at that!

Kate Spade makes some beautiful accessories, and these shoes were so lovely for a Wedding.

Also gorgeous, was Jaclyn’s gown.

The flowers arrived, and were perfect.

Here come the flower girls!

Finishing touches…

Enroute to the ceremony at Swan-E-Set, we stopped with the girls for a quick photo session.

Can never resist an opportunity to show a little shoe!

Arriving at Swan-E-Set, we found Derek and the guys waiting for the ceremony to begin.

Due to the unpredictable weather we had been experiencing that morning, the ceremony had been moved indoors to in front of a majestic fireplace.

We were really excited to see the RCMP honor guard in action during the ceremony as well. They beautifully punctuated Jaclyn’s walk down the aisle towards Derek, and later, their first walk together after the ceremony as husband and wife.

The RCMP Chaplain did a remarkable job with the ceremony – funny, yet dignified, and well spoken.

After some quick family formals, we were off for a whirlwind of a Wedding Party Session, taking advantage of how beautiful the grounds at Swan-E-Set are.

A favorite time, is when the Wedding Party is able to go and relax, and we have a bit more time with just the bride and groom. Many times, this leads to our favorite images of the couple together. With Derek and Jaclyn, we also budgeted for an extra evening portrait session, which gave them the chance to get back to their party and enjoy their guests.

Back at the Reception, the decor was gorgeous thanks to Wedding Design Studio! Suspended strands of crystals, beautiful lighting, and exquisite flowers and decor filled the room.

Then it was time for the party to begin!

Derek and Jaclyn had their guests sing songs with “love” in them to encourage them to kiss, rather than the traditional clinking of glasses. I don’t think the MC even finished giving this instruction before guests got started singing!

Another meaningful detail was including their families cake cutting photos around their Wedding cake.

First Dance…

The dance floor became busy almost immediately, but the children at their Wedding seemed to be having the most fun out there.

Later, we pulled Jaclyn and Derek aside for the final shots of the night.

Contributors:

Hair and Make-up: Positive Eyedentities – Kelsi Lalley

Wedding Gown: Priscilla of Boston

Bridesmaid’s Dresses: Maggy London

Tuxes: Black & Lee

Jewelry: Haute Bridal Couture

Shoes: Kate Spade

Decor: Wedding Design Studio

Invitations: Momental Designs

Flowers: South Van Market

Videography: Marliss Productions

Photobooth: Snapbox Photobooth

Music: Gary Robertson Music

Cake: INNO Bakery

I think there is a moment for most couples on their Wedding Day when the whirlwind of the day begins to ease, and they can just enjoy being together, and soak it all in. Just before heading into Seasons in the Park for their elegant dinner reception, the long awaited sun flooded through the gardens, and we had a great time doing some portraits in the golden light before the festivities got underway. Here is just one of our favorite moments for Karen and Pedram’s Wedding for their “Wedding in One Frame”:

Lots more to see coming soon!

H&C

There is a beautiful window of time for photography when the sun is dropping low on the horizon, and soft golden light illuminates all it touches. It is a great time to get outside and enjoy this magical glow, and on this perfect night we were lucky enough to have an Engagement Session scheduled with Amanda and Phil. Of course, by being outside at this time of night, sometimes it means missing out on a hockey game, but Amanda and Phil were still showing their support for the Canucks even if they couldn’t watch the game in real time. Hockey is really important to them as a couple, and it was cute to include this into their Session. While we were down on the beach, we even heard the roar of Vancouverites across the water cheering so we knew they were doing well, and we all raced home afterwards to start up our PVRs.  :)

Yes, we do this too.  Boudoir photography is becoming quite popular, and we have shot a few here and there over the past few years, and we’ve been getting more and more requests from our brides.  This past weekend we held a Boudoir Marathon at the lovely L’Hermitage Hotel.  We’re busy editing through the images from the day, but thought we’d share a few to get started.

For those of you interested in getting some shots done for yourself, or as a gift for the special someone in your life, give us a call, or send us an email, and we can chat about a session.  Prices for the Marathon mini-sessions start at $100 and include one 8×10 signature art print.

Chris

Today we had the good fortune to spend the day with some old friends, and to make some new ones at the latest Veil 2010 event. Held at the uber-nice Shangri-La Hotel, we met with brides and fellow wedding vendors for some appies and drinks. A big thanks to Kathy from Marliss Productions, and Tanya from Milestone Events, for not only organizing the day, but inviting us to join in the fun.

So for those of you who couldn’t make it to the event today, here is a few images from what you missed.

Welcome to Veil!

From working with Milestone Events in the past, we knew the decor would be gorgeous. Check it out.

Beautiful custom jewelry by Elsa Corsi

We were treated to music by Musical Occasions.

Zing Paperie and Design was our neighbor at the event, and had a great display of their invitations.

Tasty treats by Yum Dessert Decor.

And yes, we got to eat all of the left-overs after the event!

Flower Factory showed off some of their beautiful bouquets and arrangements.

BC Cakes had some great looking treats as well.

A wide shot of the event, including our Spark tables!

This was a wonderfully fun event, and I can’t wait until the next one!

Chris