Distinctive downtown wedding

Unconventional - that's the word I would use to describe Cindy and Brandon's wedding this past weekend.

We hit a number of downtown photo locations in record time, walking through a sea of tourists calling out their congratulations. One lucky tourist even asked to have his photo taken with Cindy - she looked so beautiful, he probably thought she was a movie star.

I love it when a wedding is a bit different - they got married on a Sunday, we did all the photos before the ceremony, Cindy created the bouquets, they got married at Lago restaurant instead of a church, her mother walked her down the aisle, the first dance was before the reception.... In short, Cindy planned a wedding that defied convention, but worked perfectly for them on their special day.

Congratulations!

Todd and Tamara

I scouted locations for Todd and Tamara's wedding photos months before their big day, but didn't find anything that I felt was good enough for them. It was important to have "wow-worthy" spots to reflect all the time and effort put into their wedding planning. The location also had to be close to Tudor Hall or St. Mary's Church so that their little man could get in the family photos, then be whisked away for naptime.

Finally, a week before the marriage date, the perfect spot presented itself. Mere blocks from the church, and possessing the most exquisite light and greenery in the midst of a drought. Check out the last photo of this post, where Todd and Tamara are nestled under the huge, old tree - definitely "wow-worthy" of this beautiful couple on their beautiful day.

Personal faves from 2011

Here are some photo favourites from weddings and engagement shoots over the past year. I selected the following images because they stood out in my memory for either
1) the quiet simplicity of the image
or
2) the unscripted moment captured.
Enjoy!

Married: Samantha and Michael

Timeless elegance. That's how I would describe Samantha and Michael's wedding in Perth this past weekend.
All weddings are a celebration for a promising future, but this wedding paid homage to the past, as well - from the family heirlooms incorporated into Samantha's ensemble to the bridesmaids' classic gowns to the groomsmen's traditional attire. At times during the day I felt like I lucky enough to be photographing classic movie stars.
Super congratulations, Samantha and Michael!

Married: Andree and Jeff

Something struck me when I was editing Andree and Jeff's wedding photos from this past Satuday. I realized that Andree just looks so happy - I mean, all brides are happy on their wedding day, but her smile is so genuine and compelling, that it's obvious Jeff and her are meant to be together. What a treat to photograph such a perfectly matched couple.
Congratulations, you two!!!

Married: Krysta and Andy

At the risk of sounding too Canadian - you know, we love to talk about the weather, eh - I just have to say that Krysta and Andy's wedding was the warmest autumn wedding I have ever photographed. What a beautiful day with near-record temperatures. It's not unusual to have hot brides and hot grooms like these guys, but a heat wave in October sure makes for a memorable wedding day. Love it!

Congratulations, Krysta and Andy!