Fast forward a year later and the long awaited day was here! Kendra got ready at the Sandman Signature Hotel with her best girl friends as Brennan and his best men (and best dog, Maks) waited patiently for the girls to arrive to the South Bonson Community Centre.

This autumn day had every weather… from pouring rain in the morning to sunshine in the afternoon, and one of the prettiest skies at sunset. Because of the unpredictable weather the ceremony was held inside, but fortunately for portraits, the afternoon turned lovely and mild. The afternoon’s beautiful water-colour sky was a nice trade off for the morning’s rain.

The reception was lively at the Community Centre, great food and great people! Kendra put some much thought and effort into her decorations, with a nod to all of the couple’s favourite movies!

I love when we get to sneak the couple out for a few sunset photos during the reception, and Brennan and Kendra were keen on the idea, too. It gives the couple a few minutes to themselves and always get some great photos, whatever the sunset may look like. This night’s sunset, my favourite part was the afterglow of pale pink and blue, so pretty and romantic.

After our return, the reception got underway with toasts and dancing and a fun evening for all. Brennan and Kendra (and Maks), we wish you all the best!

It had been a long hot summer, but the weather was perfect on the day of the wedding. It was still quite warm, but the rain from the day before had left a freshness in the air. The grounds surrounding the Pavilion were gorgeous, the flower beds still bursting with colour even though summer was almost at an end. The garden ceremony was gorgeous and we didn’t have far to go for great photos after.

For the reception, the Lord Stanley Ballroom with it’s bright and fresh interior was a lovely backdrop to Liz’s gorgeous flowers. Chris and Liz love to travel and the theme for the reception decor was places from their travels. It was a very relaxed evening with great food and music. The funny stories and kind words from loved ones resulted in tears and laughter, happily more of the later.  After the cake was cut, it was time to party!  Everyone let loose and had a great night with dancing and fun times.

Chris and Liz, we hope that your first months of marriage have been a blast and the travels that lie ahead of you will be as amazing as your wedding day!

It starts out with a few photos from their amazing engagement shoot at the Marine Building in downtown Vancouver. I have always loved shooting in front of the amazing Art Deco revolving doors, but since Lisa works in the building we were allowed access to the lobby after hours. We had so much fun and this couple is very easy to shoot!

A few months later it was time for the wedding extravaganza! It was a backyard event to end all others! Lisa and friends spent a lot of time and effort with the DIY touches and the already beautiful yard was decked out to party. After the Chinese tea ceremony, the couple said their I do’s in the brilliant sunshine while their family and best friends looked on. This was my first wedding that included a poutine truck and a bouncy castle and needless to say was a fun afternoon!

The reception was a 10 course Chinese dinner at Shiang Garden in Richmond with fun & games, cake cutting, and toasts & speeches between courses. I can safely say that no one went home hungry, but calories were burned with everyone ripping up the dance floor!

A couple of days later, after everyone was rested from the big party, I met Shaun and Lisa  for a family picnic/big group photo before all of the overseas guest went back home. I surprised Shaun and Lisa with a small photo book of their wedding photos just two days after their wedding. It was very special for me to watch their reactions as they saw a few of their wedding photos for the first time.

The wedding day had been a whirlwind of activity and even though I got some great photos of the two of them on the day, we decided to meet again for a sunset photo-shoot in their wedding attire. I was so glad we did, I shot some of my favourite photos ever on that shoot.

Our last shoot together was a lifestyle shoot of the newlyweds in their home. I wanted to capture them as they are… I’m sure Shaun makes cookies every weekend!  He’s a keeper, Lisa! I think it is really special to have a glimpse of their life during that first year of marriage and I’m sure they will look back on it fondly as they grow old and grey together… love you guys!

Fast forward a few months later and it was Kevin & Chantelle’s big day! The couple said their ‘I do’s’ in front of a small gathering of family and friends in the garden atrium of the Best Western Hotel. After the ceremony we headed to Como Lake with the bridal party for photos and fun. As summer weddings can be, the weather was hot… really hot. I feel for the guys wearing jackets but those wedding dresses can be hot too! After wrapping up portraits, a pit stop to Timmy’s to refresh was in order!

Back at the Best Western, in the revitalizing A/C, the reception began with the famous baron of beef, touching speeches, fun and games. It continued on through the night with dancing and eating cupcakes until literally ‘blue in the face’! Too much fun!

All the best to you Kevin & Chantelle!

Minh and Anna are both quiet people and let us know that they were not comfortable in front of the camera. I hear that a lot, so it did not worry me at all. Our style is a mix of casual posing and ‘directed’ candids and it doesn’t take long before the couple warms up to each other in front of us. Minh and Anna were adorably sweet with one another.

Their wedding was a lovely day at Celebration Pavilion, one of my favourite venues to shoot. Right there in Queen Elizabeth Park, a perfect place for all your photo needs! After family photos, and we had lots of time for the two of them for portraits and even enjoyed a shaved ice to beat the heat!

The reception was at Shiang Garden Restaurant in Richmond, the 10 course dinner was amazing. It was an evening of games, toasts and a choreographed dance for the bride and groom by some young guests, The bouquet toss was so sweet, two young girls caught it at the same time and the one girl let the other on have it with no complaint. After photographing the bride with the two girls, the girl that had the bouquet gave it to the other… awww. A first for sure! It is more often every gal for themselves, and stand back! Such sweet young ladies! It was a fun night to capture and all the best to you Minh and Anna.

We had done their engagement shoot a few moths prior to the wedding, and with them both being busy professionals, we met them at noon at Granville Island for a quick photo session. These two rocked the session and I loved how easily Dan could make Mandy laugh!

On the day of the wedding, the weather couldn’t have been more perfect. There was a threat of rain, which did not materialize and the clouds keep the temperature mild. It was a very relaxed day, we met Dan and Mandy first at the UBC Rose Garden for a few portraits of the two of them before the garden ceremony. After the ceremony, the couple greeted each and everyone of their guests with love and warm embraces on the veranda of the stately house. They weren’t worried about the typical traditions of a wedding, they just wanted a really nice day to share their love with each other and their loved ones. The evening was spent with touching speeches, an amazing dinner and dancing the whole night through.

It was such a pleasure to capture your wedding Dan and Mandy, and I hope your first year of being newlyweds has been filled with laughter and love!

Peter and I met with Phil and Christina about a week before the wedding for an engagement shoot at UBC and Spanish Banks. They chose the place because of the fond memories of where their relationship began. Six years married but still newlyweds, they could not have been more in love!

The wedding celebration was at the Four Seasons Hotel in Vancouver, where we started off with capturing Christina getting ready, she had the most amazing crystal studded wedding dress that reminded me of raindrops. Fitting for Vancouver, but luckily those were the only raindrops of the day! After the couple’s first look in the hotel suite and a few bride and groom portraits around the hotel, the couple enjoyed a tea ceremony with all the family in attendance.

The Four Seasons Hotel was the perfect setting for everything, with it’s luxurious interiors to the lush outdoor terrace overlooking the city’s downtown. The day was relaxed with no need to rush anywhere. Everything from the tea ceremony and portraits, to cocktails and reception we were surrounded by elegance and beauty. There was laughter and love, company of family and friends, fantastic food and the most interesting wedding cake… everything a long anticipated celebration should be!

A great time was had by all! After the group had mingled and toasted the newly engaged couple, I managed to sneak them away for a few romantic photos. Congratulations Craig & Chris, I can’t wait to see you both again for your wedding this summer!

As luck would have it for this sweet couple, by the time the ceremony ended the rain stopped and the clouds began to break. After some family portraits we went to Andrew’s family home for a tea ceremony and lunch. The plan was to go to a nearby park for wedding party portraits but the grounds of the the Chen home were so lovely I suggested we stay there. It made for a relaxing and fun schedule and the weather could not have been better!

The wedding reception was at the Vancouver Convention Centre, with it’s floor to ceiling windows, the views were unparalleled. Every detail was stunning, with gorgeous flowers, beautifully decorated tables and the take away gift for the guests were delicious cookies made by the bride herself.

The evening was very relaxed, starting off with cocktails and conversation on the outdoor patio as the sun lowered in the sky. Then everyone took their places at the tables for the amazing three course dinner, while listening to the great speeches and toasts from the couple’s dearest family and friends. After everyone had their fill of the decadent dessert bar, the rest of the night was dedicated to dancing and celebrating.

All the best to you in your future Andrew & Margaret!

Karen and friends did an amazing job with the decor and flowers, it was a treat to photograph such gorgeous details! They created a perfect little venue, set up for the couple’s family and closest friends to join them as they celebrated their love for one another. If Peter and I ever decide to marry again (each other, of course!), this is exactly how I would want it. Paul & Karen it was so nice to meet you both, thank you for treating us like friends! All the best to you both in your future together *heart emoji*