Pat + Silvie's camp-themed wedding at the Sasamat Outdoor Centre near Vancouver, was, for me, a really refreshing take on DIY details. Sometimes with DIY elements it's really easy to go overboard and flood a wedding day with so many details that both the quality of the pieces, and the effect they are supposed to have, are compromised. As of late, many of the weddings I've gravitated towards have been lighter on the details emphasizing instead, a few exceptional focal points or key pieces. However, I really applaud Silvie, Pat, and their team of professional vendors and personal friends for bringing together camp-themed, natural elements without leaving the day feeling too...well, campy.
Read MoreI love when creative visions come to fruition and are revealed in ways I wouldn't have imagined, so when a Manitoba wedding with a distinctly European flair made its way to my inbox, I was more than curious. Sandra and Chad's Parisian-inspired wedding day was full of luxurious style, a succinct colour palette, and settings that emanated an old-world feel. From the bride's lace Maggie Sottero 'Madrid' gown and flattering neo-classically-styled bridesmaid dresses, to the architectural ruins of a Trappist Monastery and historic elegance of the Fort Garry Hotel, this wedding feels positively continental. Of course it doesn't hurt that the bride, Sandra, seems to possess a certain je ne sais quoi which lends an aura of beauty and mystique to the entire event. What a lovely day, immaculately planned by Amanda Douglas Events and elegantly captured by BLF Studios.
Read MoreWhen one's career centres on photographing and staring at weddings all the live long day, sometimes imagery can become...predictable. In a society saturated with images, it can be easier to copy ideas than it is to harness inspiration and create original content. I'm not saying every bride has to be a creative tour de force, but there are tools to help one from being overwhelmed by the endless variety of options.
Last month at Joy Thigpen's Creative Direction and Styling workshop, Joy talked about the use of specific words to help determine which ideas would fit into a wedding's overall aesthetic. She provides clients with a list of words, and from that list the couple picks out ones that resonate with their vision the most. The list is then whittled down to about 8-10 words. If an idea doesn't fit within that list of words, it's easily eliminated. This concept provides the couple with a framework to help them avoid stress and encourage creativity. Try it yourself or ask your stylist, planner, or photographer if they offer creative direction for weddings.
Read MoreWhen Jenna Hill sent me the images from this Summerhill Winery wedding in British Columbia's Okanagan Valley, I knew I wanted to hone in on this bride's style and how well it works with the setting. I love how the bride (also named Jenna) chose a gown that suits strolling through the vineyard--it's rich in detail, but not excessive in fabric. Jenna's loose, but prettily styled auburn curls are picked up by the breeze and allowed to shimmer in the sunlight. The floral arrangements are also more loosely gathered as opposed to tightly bound, and feature a range of hues that compliment their surroundings. This is also true of the colours selected for Jenna's bridesmaids and her groom's attire. Wade's wedding wardrobe is uncomplicated, (but not casual) and compliments the vineyard's earth tones. Jenna's bridesmaids' dresses contribute some extra colour to the whole affair, in a hue that pairs well with the landscape. And of course, I'll state the obvious and say that Jenna's stunning red locks set against a rich palette of verdant greens pack quite a punch. All nuances captured by a photographer who noticed each of the aspects described above and knew just how to photograph them in a most flattering way. Jenna Hill worked with the landscape, the breeze, the shifting light, and all of the elements Wade + Jenna so specifically chose, to create stunning fine art images for this couple and their families to cherish. If you are drawn to any of the elements or artists featured here, scroll through the images to find out where you can find them for yourself or someone you know.
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