Tamara + Michael: Day After Session

Tamara called me about a month and a half ago and inquired about a Day After Session with her and her 'soon to be' hubby Michael. She told me that they lived in Portland, Oregon and already had a wedding photographer for their day, but since she grew up in BC, she wanted to have a session that just screamed 'Vancouver'....I totally got it. We set up a few locations, and when the day came (Valentine's Day...aka Tamara's Birthday!!! how cool is that?!) we had an amazing time! 

Tamara and Michael, I am very blessed to have met you. You are both very funny, very smart, very loving, and very comfortable around crazy people like me :)

Special thanks to Nick from The Other Angle for helping me out. You rocked the day with your wit, humor, and Red Scarf of Awesomeness! :)

This graffiti has been seen on MANY (and I mean MANY) photographer's photos, and when I finally saw where it was, I just couldn't resist. I just love how the same location can be shot so many different ways! Here is my take on it, hope ya like it!

LOVE THIS SHOT YOU GUYS!!! Seriously, if this doesn't end up as a 30x40" canvas in your living room, then *I* am gonna buy it as a canvas for MY living room!

...annnnnnd one for fun :) Go Mike Go! :)

Wedding 101: Getting Started - New Bride's Checklist

I was sitting at my computer today browsing over wedding sites and came across this awesome article over at bride.ca, explaining in great detail every little bit of the 'What to Do when Planning A Wedding". I really thought this would be something that EVERY newly-engaged couple would NEED to read, so I sent out a few quick emails, asking if I could post it on my blog, and a few hours later, here it is! 

Hope this at least helps de-fuzz any potential wedding planning ponders!

-Michael-

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Wedding 101: Getting Started - New Bride's Checklist

by Kori Ellis, bride.ca

Congratulations on your engagement! There are probably a million things running through your mind about what to do next. Should you book a reception hall? Run out and buy your wedding dress? Take a moment to breathe a little bit and review our wedding checklist.

This checklist will give you a general guideline of what to do and when you need to do it. You can adjust it to fit your schedule but be sure to adhere to your timeline as much as possible. During your wedding planning, don't stress out. If you feel overwhelmed, reach out to your husband-to-be, mother or maid of honor to help you. Your engagement should be a happy time. Take time to relax and enjoy it. Don't turn into a bridezilla!

Editor's Note: we have tried to link each task on Kori's lists to the corresponding search on bride.ca, so you can quickly find some initial articles, tips and services to get you started on the particular task. Some searches will be more useful than others :-) Try as we might, we do not yet cover every imaginable wedding thing - but we're working on it!

Wedding Timeline

12 Months or More in Advance

• Hire your wedding planner or coordinator (if desired)


• Talk with your fiancÈ and set an initial wedding budget


• Determine your wedding style (destination, theme, time of day, formal/casual)


• Select your wedding date and time


• Research and book your wedding ceremony and reception locations


• Interview prospective wedding vendors


• Parents of the bride should begin planning the engagement dinner

9-12 Months in Advance

• Announce your engagement in the local paper


• Arrange for an officiant (if desired) for your ceremony


• Set the maximum number of wedding guests


• Choose your wedding attendants


• Book your caterer, musicians/DJ, photographer


• Research and decide what type of gown you will wear


• Attend bridal shows and bridal shop visits


• Meet with florists and cake bakeries to view and sample their work


• Create a bridal registry


• Attend your engagement dinner

6-9 Months in Advance

• Book your florist and order your wedding cake


• Make your preliminary guest list


• Select and purchase your wedding gown and bridesmaid's dresses


• Research wedding transportation options


• Meet with printers and decide on wedding invitation style


• Select and book your honeymoon

4-6 Months in Advance

• Arrange for groom/groomsmen to be measured for tuxedos


• Shop for and purchase bridal accessories


• Book your wedding transportation


• Order invitations and other stationery


• Shop for and purchase wedding rings


• Get blood tests for marriage license


• Mail "Save the Date" cards

2-4 Months in Advance

• Finalize your guest list


• Research types of wedding favours


• Parents of the groom should arrange rehearsal dinner


• Select your menu (including beverages) and confirm other details with caterer and reception venue


• Purchase wedding guest book, garter, goblets, candles, decorations and other ceremony items


• Plan the bachelor and bachelorette parties


• Arrange for printing of ceremony programs


• Purchase your wedding favours


• Choose your wedding music - first dance, parents dance, etc.


• Finalize details with all vendors - florist, musicians, photographer, baker and others


• Arrange for accommodations for out-of-town guests


• Practice wedding hairstyles and makeup


• Attend your bridal shower(s)

6-8 Weeks in Advance

• Mail wedding invitations and announcements (8 weeks)


• Schedule the final fitting for your gown


• Select gifts for your wedding attendants


• Select a gift for your husband


• Book hairdressers and makeup artists

4-6 Weeks in Advance

• Give headcount of guests to your caterer


• Take your bridal portrait / engagement photo


• Pick up your wedding rings


• Meet with ushers regarding their duties


• Make seating plan for reception


• Confirm dates, times and details with all vendors (4 weeks)

2-4 Weeks in Advance

• Handle name change for Driver's License, Tax numbers etc (if you're actually changing your name!)


• Prepare and submit the wedding announcement for the newspaper


• Make sure all your bridal attire is ready


• Get your marriage license


• Write your place cards and put together DIY favours (if necessary)

1 Week in Advance

• Review details with the ushers


• Attend the final fitting (make sure your bridesmaids do too)


• Confirm seating arrangements


• Pack for your honeymoon


• Pack an emergency kit for your wedding day


• Give the final head count to caterer


• Re-confirm with all vendors; pay any balances


• Finalize rehearsal dinner plans


• Attend bachelor/bachelorette parties

The Day Before Your Wedding

• Get a manicure and pedicure


• Make sure someone picks up tuxedos


• Attend rehearsal and rehearsal dinner


• Go to bed early!

Your Wedding Day

• Wake up early


• Get your makeup and hair done


• Get dressed and head to the ceremony


• Make sure to eat properly


• Relax and enjoy your day

Print out and use these checklists as a guideline when planning your wedding. You can adapt them to your specific needs and change the timeline as necessary. Try to book your vendors as soon as possible, particularly your wedding reception site. Keep in mind that some of the more popular locations book more than a year in advance.

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The End ;)

My Top 20 Favorite Wedding Photos of 2008

I think one of the best parts of being a photographer (at least for me) is that when you look at one of your own photos, you can remember exactly what was going on at the moment it was taken. I can say with complete confidence that to ME, these moments really are frozen in time, and I will always remember certain things from each and every one! So, having said that, not only would I like to share some of my favorite 20 wedding photos of 2008 with you, but I would also like to share with you exactly what I was thinking when I took them! 

Warning: Please don't think I'm a dork, I'm only human! :P

***each quote refers to the photo above it.***

"I hope people don't think 'what a horrible photographer, he cropped her face out!!!'... All I want for this shot is a detail shot of the veil and dress!!!"

"WOW! now THATS a kiss!"

"How do I make this shot look like it ISNT taken outside in the freezing snow/rain in the middle of one of the coldest winters Vancouver has seen in decades????"

"There is NO way ANY camera can capture how beautiful this light coming in looks in person!"

- don't get me wrong, the lighting in the photo looks amazing, but really you had to be there. It truly was angelic.

"Stupid leaves! Stop moving so I can get the lens flare from the sun!!!!! AHHHH!" 

(I think I was tired) :)

I remember thinking to myself: "Please don't turn away until I take the photo! Please don't turn away until I take the photo! WOOHOO! She didn't turn away until I took the photo!"

"I-A-M-S-O-J-E-A-L-O-U-S-R-I-G-H-T-N-O-W" ;)

I was trying to make her laugh, so the first thing I said to her was (and in a rather high pitched voice): "Youuuuu're getting marrrrrried... Youuuuuu're getting marrrrrrrrried!" 

 yup... I'm a pretty fast thinker! :/

"The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly."

 (I can say this because the one on the right is my brother in-law) ;)

"Ben please don't drop her!!!! There's a lot of thistles around!!" - Thank God he didn't!

I actually remember just staring in absolute amazement during these moments, and even though there was loud music playing, I can still remember very clearly the WHOOSH! WHOOSH! WHOOSH! of the flames.

I remember thinking this was so quiet and sincere, and even though I originally set this shot up (the veil over their heads), the truly beautiful moment was really between just the two of them.

I very clearly remember thinking "I am so lucky to have shot her sister's wedding a few years ago and now to be shooting her wedding. I really feel like part of the family with these guys. Thank you so much."

"Well, people certainly aren't going to wonder where this shot was taken!!"

This is my best friend of 15 years, Ben. At this moment I remember thinking that if someone came to us when we were 14 and said "Hey, when you grow up, YOU are going to get married, and HE is going to be your photographer!", we'd probably think they were 'A few fries short of a Happy Meal'! Well, it happened, and I will always be greatful to have seen my best friend married to the love of his life.

"No one will ever know this shot was taken in her garage..." ..oops! Guess they do now!

"Hrmm... I think it would look better if I Photoshopped that bench out of the photo later on." 

- Yup! :)

"What are the odds that the cruise ship I worked on for 6 months in the Caribbean would be going by us on the Sunshine Coast at this very second?" (it was doing the Alaska run roundtrip from Vancouver...it was pretty cool to see the Coral Princess again lol)

"Cool! These lights remind me of 'Close Encounters of a Third Kind'!!!!!"

"Hrmm... off-camera lighting... how hard can it be?" - hard? no. takes practice? yup! Chris + Lynn, I was totally trying to channel some vibes from you while taking this shot lol! 

Here's to a fantastic 2009 Wedding Season!

Namaste,

Michael

Alykhan & Salima's Wedding

I believe it was around Christmas time a year ago (2007) that I met Alykhan and Salima. We met downtown at a Blendz coffee shop, and I remember how quickly we hit it off. Within minutes we were already swapping stories and laughing, it was truly like meeting with old friends. On top of that, the more they discussed their wedding plans with me the more excited I got! I remember thinking "Wow, a four day wedding, huh?"... I have seen time and time again how much craziness and excitement gets packed into ONE day, what's FOUR days going to do?!

Well, see for yourself. The photos tell more than I ever could with words.

I gotta pitch in here for a sec... I won't say too much, but these next two collections of photos are actually ceremonies the night before the wedding day. Salima gets a beautifully fragrant paste rubbed onto her skin to beautify her for the next day, while Alykhan on the other hand... um... you have to see it to believe it. 

Ok, onto some cleaner photos :)

We had a chance to shoot at the Stanley Park Inn before the reception, and I automatically fell in love with this little B&B.

First Dance

This collage just melts my heart every time I look at it. So simple, nothing really fancy on the photos...just pure love. 

Alykhan and Salima, thank you so much for letting me be a part of your celebration. I had an amazing time and I feel so blessed to have met your family and friends. You all truly are a perfect example of Real Love.

Special shout-outs to Tracey for helping me out with the day! You rock, Miss Thang! :)

Brian & Yari: Puerto Vallarta Wedding Slideshow!

I am so pleased to share with you Brian & Yari's Puerto Vallarta Wedding Slideshow!

Let me know what you think!

Michael

If you would like to purchase this show on DVD, please email me!

Brian & Yari: Puerto Vallarta Wedding Part 2!!

Here are some more photos from Brian & Yari's October 10th wedding at the amazing Las Caletas in Puerto Vallarta Mexico!!

The Rings!

Look at those puppy dog eyes, this guy's smitten !

This photo makes me smile, its so sweet! I also love Brian's wet feet, we were all dancing on the beach! :)

The beautiful bride!

Now, this isn't the best exposed shot, but I just LOVE the expression on Yari's face! You can almost hear the "Awwww..Daaaaaaaaaaaaaad!" through the grit teeth. Priceless!

A special moment between Brian and his mom.

I loved the Fire Dancers! Brian and Yari were SO brave! :)