As the finishing touches were done to her dress and impeccable makeup, her smile grew wider and her nerves climbed higher. Everything was set for their “first look.” Rachel’s groom waited patiently outside her parents’ home for her. Even my heart started pounding in anticipation for their moment. If you ask either of them, the moment didn’t disappoint. With the tap of Rachel’s finger on his shoulder, Tim turned and took in the sight of his bride, a picture of true beauty, and glam and elegance. I woke up the morning after their wedding waaaay before my alarm was set to ring. Right away I was taken back and my heart was full at the thought of Rachel and Tim and their day. From Rachel’s constant infectious smile and attitude and Tim’s loving and calm presence around her…the way the cold, rainy weather turned mild and sunny just in time – and its a good thing because in faith, they didn’t plan a backup to their outdoor ceremony!…to the incredibly sweet and choreographed father-daughter dance. And the memorable elements to their wedding don’t end there! Being that Rachel and Tim were married on Good Friday, I love how they honoured that fact in their ceremony and later in speeches as well. How in a marriage, you must humble yourself and take on a servant heart – something that both Rachel and Tim truly love about one another – just as Christ humbled himself (Philippians 2). And being that they both do love to serve others, for dessert, Rachel and Tim served all their guests ice cream! They donned super cute aprons and got behind the ice cream bar as a way to show their gratitude and appreciation for all those who made their day extra special. Rachel and Tim, I have so enjoyed getting to know you guys through this whole process and celebration! I feel blessed having been a part of your day, and am thankful for your friendship. And Rach, thanks for getting all giddy with me and jumping up and down with me while we were taking pictures ;) Love you! Have an amazing honeymoon and we’ll see you when you get back! xo! By doing a First Look, we had more time for photos, there was a relaxed feeling to the day, and Rachel and Tim got to spend more time together just having fun and…
Read MoreFeatured: Weddings in BC
After a lovely weekend full of Easter festivities – three dinners and an Easter Egg Hunt (for which I learned that you’re never too old!), not to mention one fabulous wedding on Friday, we find ourselves at another Monday morning. One that was just made a little brighter. Another photo shoot of mine has been featured on Weddings in BC! As I’ve mentioned on Facebook recently, two previous shoots had also been chosen for their Inspiration Room. Weddings in BC offers all sort of ideas, articles and vendor info for brides planning their I do’s in British Columbia. And to be featured (on any bridal blog, for that matter) is exciting, rewarding, and humbling all at once. As pictured above, our autumn styled bridal shoot was featured this morning. Lori + Jeremy’s ‘Sleeping in Paradise’ day after session. And Aimee + Ryan’s Vancouver engagement session. Happy Monday to you all!
Read MoreA Good Friday
Today is Good Friday. Today is a day to reflect on what Jesus did for us on the cross. Today is a day to look forward to Sunday, a day to celebrate what Jesus did for us by his resurrection from the grave. Today is also a day to look forward to spending time with friends and family over the weekend, celebrating and yes – eating lots and participating in an Easter egg hunt :) And today is the day that these two will become husband and wife… …and I’m so excited to document it. Furthermore, today, just in time for their outdoor wedding, I think Spring has finally arrived in the Pacific Northwest! I raise my coffee mug to you, lovely Rachel, and to your groom Tim. Shane and I will see you soon!
Read MoreQ&A: Confetti Floral Design
Lovely, sweet, and creative – words that describe Confetti Floral Design and words that describe the girl behind the flowers, Kari Dueck. I’m so excited to share a little Q&A Kari and I did via email; a look into wedding flowers, insightful to brides and photographers alike :) On more than one occasion I’ve had the pleasure of working with Kari and her pretty creations – it’s always a treat because not only are her flower arrangements uniquely gorgeous (aka fun to photograph), I love that Kari has a desire to be different and a passion for what she does. I worked with her on our autumn styled bridal shoot and came to her with vague ideas, but she knew exactly how to make them come to life using amazing textures (love!) and colour. Just chatting with her, be it in person or through email, you get a sense of the love and care that she brings to her business…she’s also an LPN at an extended care home, and mother of two adorable little girls, so I think that love and care is a common theme! How did you come to be a floral designer? I was first introduced to flowers by my Mom who is an avid gardener and have been interested in flowers ever since. I have always enjoyed creating things, and have always had art projects on the go, so following my high-school grad I was feeling the draw get my floral design certification. I loved it! From there I did countless weddings for friends and family, and even my own wedding, and when I was asked by people who I did not know, I decided the time had come to start my own business. How do you approach a wedding and its floral designs? I love weddings and feel that they definitely should reflect both the Bride and the Groom. At the consultation I gather as much info about both of them and then try to channel their personalities into designs that reflect them. Floral designs can be dainty, vintage, romantic, vibrant, simple, loud and the list goes on… Who is your ideal bride? My ideal bride is someone who values floral design and who is looking for something as original as she is. I love taking on a challenge or trying something new, so a bride with fun ideas is always welcome to come my…
Read MoreParty Pretty
Weeks of conspiring and planning came together this past weekend for a very special friend’s birthday party! A golden birthday – thirty on the thirtieth – called for something special, and when we’re talking about a birthday girl who defines words like lovely and beautiful and kind…we wanted to make sure she got what she deserves :) It was so fun to see it all come together and surprise Andrea. During the planning process, I was so grateful to have her Pinterest boards for inspiration and ideas! My sister Whitney and her boyfriend Manolo catered the event, and blew everyone away with their culinary deliciousness! On the menu were things like roasted garlic crostini with goat cheese and apricot jam, tomato bocconcini crostini with fig balsamic reduction, and smoked salmon sushi. The dessert spread? Lemon drop cupcakes, hazelnut chocolate cake pops, chocolate filled croissants, and macadamia chocolate ganache tarts. Many others came together to pull this party off, which was set in motion by Andrea’s incredibly loving husband, Derrick. He even had a video made, titled “Thirty Reasons Why I Love You”, that had all 40+ people in attendance laughing and/or crying. All in all, such a fun night, and such a treat to be a part of. While Andrea was enjoying a trip to the spa, we got busy at their house decorating…starting with eight dozen roses… …and scads of pretty paper pom poms, made by my crafty mom and carefully hung by Shane… Alanna helped with the set up and we enjoy some pre-party Pomtinis :) Everyone who knows Andrea knows she has a sweet tooth and so we filled a table with a few of her favourites, complete with mini take-out containers for each guest. I finally had a fun use for my typewriter! It was hard to stay away from this table ;) The chefs, Whitney + Manolo… …and the birthday girl and the birthday girl’s mom! Such pretty ladies. Sending you one last birthday wish ’til next year, Andie! xo love you, friend!
Read MoreSavouring a Vacation
I hope you don’t mind one last post about Mexico. I mean, I could talk about the crazy snow that blanketed the neighbourhood yesterday morning, but…I’d rather go back to summer… As a girlfriend and I ate lunch by the beach one afternoon – consisting of tortilla chips, pico de gallo, and guacamole – we told ourselves to take mental images of our surroundings. To feel what a vacation is supposed to feel like, right now, as opposed to realizing it when you get back home, back to routine and responsibility. To savour it while we still had it in sight and at our fingertips. I actually read an entire novel, start to finish, all within that week. Now that I’m back home…I most likely won’t pick up another novel until the next flight out to the next vacation. I lost track of time and didn’t care to check in on Facebook. I got to spend quality time with friends, old and new, including my best friend. One particular evening as the sun set, we sat on the beach and thought back over the last eight months. The first time we went to see a movie (Scott Pilgrim vs The World – a movie I never would have cared to see if it hadn’t been for this cute guy I had just started to see…and now it’s probably one of my favourites!), going to see Jack Johnson last Fall, spending Christmas together, various conversations and random events. There was the night when one of the guys broke out his guitar…we leisurely made our way from the hotel to the beach, as he played and some sang and the rest of us enjoyed the impromptu beachside music. I loved that the nights were warm and the stars were bright and several times we saw fireflies in the shadowy grass. I loved that I got to combine work and play and travel and until that happens again, here are a few photos… Thank you Andie for the book loan :) And the photos above! She is pictured further down with her sweet daughter Addie…
Read MoreMayan Riviera Wedding: Todd + Alanna
Best friends became husband and wife, barefoot on a white, sandy beach before some of their closest friends and family. Crystal blue water sparkled in the background and waving, green palm branches hung over head. The morning had been an eventful one – as most of them are – as Alanna got ready with her two closest girlfriends, “her two Jenns”, and a last minute guest arrived, a family member who had flown through the night to arrive within a couple hours of the ceremony. You could say everything came together just as it should. The sun shone brightly, which came as no surprise in such a stunning destination as the Mayan Riviera. As the three girls made their way from the hotel room to the waiting golf cart transportation, Alanna fought back the tears. We made our way through the resort, the Barcelo Maya Colonial, to the ceremony and the girls broke out into song and what else would they sing but “gooooing to the chapel and we’re goooonna get married!” Following the intimate ceremony, which included an impromptu, tear jerking speech from Todd to Alanna, champagne was passed around. Father of the bride, Al, toasted to welcoming a second son to the family, claiming to have won the lottery twice over. That son nearly jumped into the pool before heading off for photos…but he came around :) We decided on an air conditioned and cold beer break before returning to the beach. A coconut shack, a sea of palm trees, and an abandoned resort dock played the perfect setting for photos before wrapping up the day’s celebration with an ocean view reception. Todd and Alanna, hope you’re enjoying your second week in paradise, all to yourselves! Thank you so much for inviting us to be a part of your day in this way…much appreciation! M. Alanna was lucky enough to have her own hairdresser in her wedding party…she did such a gorgeous job on the girls’ hair! One of my favorite images of the day, captured by Shane Relief from the sun, amazing light, and a dance party…fun times! And then we escaped down the beach for a few more photos… I don’t know if you could ask for a more stunning bride and groom! Favorites from the day… Seriously…so gorgeous, Alanna… Check out the slideshow for more images from the wedding! Music by The XX, Islands.
Read MoreHome But Thankful
Back home, my head hit my pillow and it seemed as though sleep would overcome me in an instant. But somewhere in between awake and asleep, I found myself repeating thank you, thank you, thank you…my list included things like my bed, vacationing with friends, the relief of getting sleep after nearly 24 hours on the go (it had been our last morning in Mexico and I still had yet to watch the sunrise…), things like guacamole and churros and ice cream (hello, gym), and the opportunity to photograph a beautiful beach wedding that I get to share here this week! Another thank you to Shane for constantly supporting me and second shooting along side of me and taking this picture:
Read MoreBridal Bikini Shoot
This morning marks the day of Todd and Alanna’s beach wedding in Mexico’s Mayan Riviera. But a couple days ago, soon to be bride, Alanna, and her girls snuck away from the resort to get a few pre-wedding photos…coordinating bikinis, sand, surf and just the right amount of sun, and much fun. It was the perfect way to relax, celebrate the upcoming wedding and Alanna’s final few days of being a single girl, and warm up for more photos this afternoon! Todd joined us at the very end and the sunset light came through the clouds at just the right moment. Can’t wait to document their I do’s in only a matter of hours…
Read MoreJust another day at the beach
Exotic birds of some kind sang outside my balcony door and told me it was morning. Time to get up, put on my swimsuit, grab my book (already wrapped up in The Glass Castle) and head outside to the “feels like” 40 degree heat, walk across the powder soft sand and claim our spot on the beach beneath the palm branches. After awhile we cooled our sticky hot skin in the water. A small school of fish darted past me, terrifying me for a moment until I laughed at myself and realized how pretty they were – almost a translucent white, lined by bright blue. Later came lazing on the hammocks, and then came exploring just beyond the resort, down the beach where the crowds thinned considerably and the terrain became less groomed. Around a point where there lay an abandoned resort and what I felt was the perfect spot to take out my camera…again…
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