sarah + volker | married

You cannot imagine how thrilled I am to finally post Sarah and Volker's glorious wedding day! I'm delighted to share these images because Sarah and Volker were both incredibly romantic and hopelessly in love, which made photographing their wedding day a great joy and honor for me.
A few highlights from the day:
1. Love. I normally always put the bride as my number one highlight from the day - because the bride usually takes centre stage and wows me on a wedding day - but in the case of Sarah and Volker's wedding day, love took centre stage. Sarah and Volker were so in love on their wedding day that it was definitely the highlight for me. They would not stop smooching and making eyes at each other, even when I was trying to take some serious, less kissy-kissy photos. Although I'm not complaining... what a treat to spend the day with a couple so in love!
2. The bride. Who looked amazing and was only upstaged on her wedding day by the love between her and her groom. Sarah looked absolutely gorgeous and took everyone's breath away - especially Volker's. They elected to do "first look" photos before the ceremony and Volker was stunned by Sarah's beauty. He literally could not take his eyes off her. It was incredibly endearing and a pleasure to capture in photos.
3. The groom. Who looked dashing and stayed mesmerized by Sarah all day. I love weddings where the love between the bride and groom radiates throughout the day because it makes my work so incredibly easy. Volker could not have radiated more love towards Sarah if he had tried. I also love a guy who can pull off a purple tie with such panache!
4. The first look photos. Which is such a terrific way to keep the timeline of the day flowing nicely. Many couples prefer the big reveal during the wedding ceremony - which is understandably wonderful and romantic - but I personally love it when a bride and groom choose to see each other for photos before the ceremony. Not only is it very personal and intimate, but it frees the day up to spend as much time as they want for photos and allows the bride and groom to move straight from the ceremony to the reception without stopping for photos in between. I especially loved Sarah and Volker's first look photos, which took place next to The Westin Bayshore Hotel where they got ready. There was this wonderful grassy area near the seawall which was perfect for the big reveal and Volker's reaction to Sarah did not disappoint.
5. The Teahouse in Stanley Park. I've said it before and I'll say it again. I love the Teahouse in Stanley Park as a wedding venue. It's intimate, picturesque and the food is always wonderful. If you're getting married at the Teahouse, give me a call because I'd love to be your photographer!
6. Sean Norman. While I'm repeating myself, I'll praise Sean Norman again. I'm always so lucky to have him work alongside me on a wedding day. I think you'll understand why when you see his images below... or check out his post from Sarah and Volker's wedding day HERE.
7. The sightseeing tour bus driver. Who stopped his big red bus next to us as we were taking photos and insisted that Sarah and Volker hop on board for a few photos. I love a fun, spontaneous moment like that on a wedding day. Everybody was laughing... especially the tourists who started to cheer and snap photos of the bride and groom. My personal favourite laugh-out-loud moment from the day was when one tourist in particular horned in on Sarah and Volker's embrace and insisted on being part of their photos. Hilarious!
8. The wine bottles. Sarah and Volker's guests each brought a bottle of their favourite wine for the bride and groom to start their wine cellar with. I absolutely love this as a gift idea for a couple who love wine. Each guest received a customized label to write a special message to the bride and groom, which they affixed to the bottle of their choice. All of the bottles were then presented to the happy couple at their reception. I'm sure Sarah and Volker will think of each of their guests and their wonderful wedding day every time they enjoy another bottle of their wedding gift wine for years to come.
I could write all day, but should probably move on to the photos... enjoy!

I love this next shot by Sean Norman...
I love this one by Sean too...

I love these next shots. I was laughing as I took them... especially when the tourist (bottom left) decided to horn in on Sarah and Volker's photo!


I love this idea as a wedding gift... wine with a special note to the bride and groom...



If you love the spontaneous photographs you've seen here, then please connect with me today to learn more about my wedding photography services. Click HERE to send me an email. I look forward to hearing from you.

The details:
Bride's Dress - I Do Bridal, Seattle, Washington
Bride's Hair Flower - Etsy.com ~ Feathers and Frills
Bridesmaid's Dress - Macy's
Bride's Hair - Suki's, West Georgia Street, Vancouver
Bride's Makeup - Spa Vida at The Westin Bayshore Hotel
Groom's Attire - Nordstrom Flagship Store, Seattle, Washington
Bride & Groom's Rings - Green Lake Jewelry, Seattle, Washington
Bride's Bouquet and Flowers - Kits Market, Vancouver
Ceremony & Reception Venue - Ferguson Point and Teahouse in Stanley Park
Invitations, Save the Date & Name Place Cards - Etsy.com ~ Two Turtle Doves
Wedding Cake & Cupcakes - Big City Cupcake on 4th Avenue, Vancouver
Congratulations to you both, Sarah and Volker. It was a wonderful day!

laurie + chris | married

Laurie and Chris were married on a suprisingly cool afternoon in May, but nothing could cool their spirits in what was an incredibly beautiful and loving day. When I expressed my concern over the bare-shouldered bride's warmth, the marriage commissioner, Diane Brown, stated simply, "don't worry, they'll have their love to keep them warm." And she was absolutely right. Chris and Laurie glowed throughout the ceremony and laughed, smiled and glowed their way through the whole reception. Their love definitely kept them warm.
(Well, perhaps except during the portraits, when the bride's hands literally turned blue, but even then, Chris did everything he could to keep Laurie warm!)

A few highlights from the day:
1. The bride. Who looked elegant, sophisticated, happy and full of love. All day.
2. The groom. Who looked dashing, handsome, happy and full of love. All day.
3. The bride and groom's friends and family. Who were an incredible bunch of people. What a lucky bride and groom to have such a loving group to celebrate with on their wedding day. Not to mention, that I, as a complete stranger to them all, felt extremely welcome throughout the day. They treated me like family which is a great way to spend a "work" day.
4. The shoes. There is nothing that says love like some hot, red, Stuart Wietzman shoes. Okay, shoes may not say love to everybody, but they say love to me!!
5. My sister-in-law, Janny. Who assisted me throughout the day and kept right on top of all the details to make sure everything looked picture perfect while I captured all the memories.
6. The bridesmaids. The bride's nieces were such a sweet threesome. I can't believe how patient, polite and poised they were all day. Even when the goosebumps were creeping up and down their cold arms during the ceremony they didn't break their smiles.
7. The poem I Carry Your Heart with Me by e.e. cummings. Which was read by the bride's sister during the ceremony. Can I just say that taking photos through tears is extremely challenging?!
8. The bride (again). Who, as mentioned above, during the quick portrait session was so cold that she turned blue. Not even Tyra could have made cold look so hot. Rawr. Way to go Laurie!
9. The groom (again). Who did everything he could to keep Laurie warm, including, but not limited to, giving up his jacket and furiously blowing on her hands, all while still looking dapper. And who also held the bride's bouquet for a few photos, despite his fears over having his man card revoked. Thanks, Chris!
10. The Teahouse. Which is a wonderful venue for a wedding reception. The staff are always so efficient and friendly and the food is always excellent.
11. The speeches. Which were both hilarious and heartfelt. I was halfway between laughter and tears the whole time. Seriously Chris, your prom date?? And the speech by Chris' brother really pushed me over the edge. Did I mention already that shooting through tears is challenging?
Gosh, there were a lot of highlights. Enough already... time for some photos!

Isn't the bride's mom gorgeous? I thought she looked so elegant!

Ahem, Chris... is that your man card slipping out of your pocket???


Shot through tears...


Congratulations again Laurie & Chris. Thanks for inviting me to be a part of your special day.

If you love the spontaneous photographs you've seen here, then please connect with me today to learn more about my wedding photography services. Click HERE to send me an email. I look forward to hearing from you.

The details:
Bride's Dress - Lisa's Bridal Salon, New Westminster
Bride's Hair - Jasmine at Pomp & Proper Salon, Vancouver
Bride's Makeup - Buffy Sherreitt
Bride's Shoes - Stuart Weitzman at Holt Renfrew
Bride's Purse - Lord's Shoes
Bride's Earrings - Lisa's Bridal Salon, New Westminster
Bride & Groom's Rings - Kajsa Edvinsson of Kyza Designs
Bride's Bracelet - Gift from Bride's Mother, who was given it on her 16th birthday!
Flower Girl's Dresses - Hand sewn by the Bride's Mother (wow!)
Bride's Bouquet and Flowers - Tracee and Laura at Kit's Market
Marriage Commissioner - Diane Brown (Diane is wonderful - she also married my brother and his wife!)
Getting Ready Venue - Times Square Suites on Robson Street, Vancouver
Ceremony & Reception Venue - Ferguson Point and The Teahouse in Stanley Park
Favour Chocolates - some made by the Bride's Mother, some purchased in Sidney, BC
Favour Boxes - Michael's
Wedding Cakes - Whole Foods