If you scroll down a couple of posts you will see Chelsea and Dwayne’s E. Session Pix plus a heartfelt thank you from Chelsea on seeing the pictures. After so much emotion and drama (Dwayne returning from fighting in Afghanistan) I was just dying to photograph their wedding day.

Everything came together to make this one spectacular celebration, including Brock House, Marilyn Knipp, Cup Cakes, Halfyard Designs for flowers and Isabelles Bridal for the gorgeous dress. And not forgetting hot Kiwi (New Zealand) soldiers and cute Canadian girls in the bridal party for rocking the photo shoot.

Chelsea…..I know you’re going to be checking this from Mexico, so ENJOY!

See you guys when you get home. xox

July 12th

OK…so I thought Emily and Jason’s story (July 6th) would be a little hard to beat in terms of them setting their whole wedding day around a date that I was available. I think this one equals it, in that the Bridal Party for Heather and Jason felt they had to have the best photography possible so bought “I Do!” Wedding Photography coverage for Heather and Jason’s Big Day as a gift!!! Thanks Scott and Graham…you rock!

Congrats Heather and Jason. Hope you had a wonderful time on Galiano. xox

After just posting Chelsea and Dwayne’s E. Session pictures yesterday evening, I received this email from Chelsea this evening. Getting great testimonials on my work is always awesome and it so nice to know people are this happy with my work. With Chelsea’s permission, here is the email:

“Oh my gosh Barbara I almost died last night. I raced home and my computer wasn’t working and I was just physically aching to see the photos - I’ve seen them today and am so completely and utterly grateful to you for giving us such beautiful photos before our wedding day. They really are so amazingly lovely and all the people I’ve showed (pretty much everyone I know) agree whole heartedly.
The whole thing was really fun for us and I think it’s really helped Dwayne come out of his shell in front of the camera. He looks so beautiful in them I just cannot wait to get the disc so I can print them off and hang them all over the place, haha.
I sincerely thank you so very much and have absolutely no reservations about the wedding day and knowing that we know we will have such wonderful and amazing memories from you of our special day.
You are amazing and so talented - thank you a thousand times over !!

Looking forward to seeing you again and having a great time celebrating !!

Take care until then and see you soon

Warmest regards and hugs and smiles,

Chelsea and Dwayne”

Wedding # 3 of 3 on the July 4th, 5th 6th weekend.

Emily called me in the Fall of 2007 and left me a message which went something like this:

“Hi my name’s Emily. I’m getting married next year. You photographed my friend’s wedding a couple of years ago and I’d like you to photograph mine. Please call me at ——-
When I called Emily back I asked her what date she had chosen for her wedding. She told me she didn’t actually have a date because it all depended on when I was available, and when she knew which dates I had not booked, then she could start planning her wedding……OMG! is this the best compliment ever! We started with potential dates she had in mind, ruled out a couple and settled on Sunday, July 6th. The wedding ceremony and reception were set to take place on Vancouver Island on the shores of Lake Cowichan.

Emily and Jason live a rural life on Lasquiti Island and chose a Unitarian Minister to perform their Wiccan wedding ceremony. The ceremony was beautiful in its celebration of nature, calling upon the directions of north, south, east and west for their blessings, a handfasting ceremony as well as traditional rings and jumping over a broomstick to symbolize a new union.

In keeping with her unique style Emily had had THE most amazing dress made for her….1920’s style with full on 1920’s veil. “Awesome” does not do it justice…Emily your style rocks!

A unique ceremony in a beautiful location + many friends and family brought together = One amazing celebration.

Congratulations Emily and Jason! xox

July 5th was wedding number 2 of 3 for this weekend. I also met Trish and Gary at the 2007 Brock House Wedding Show and they are one of the most fun-loving and relaxed couples I have ever had the pleasure to work with. Fully intending to do an E Session earlier this year time got the better of them, so when they recently called up to schedule a meeting to go over the timing and details for their Big Day I asked if they still wanted engagement pictures. Trish’s big question was would they have them on time to show at the wedding and of course my answer was “Yes!” Gary was originally a pro chef and they treated me to an amazing home cooked bbq after the E Session. Trish is a Gemologist and boy does she know her diamonds!! She also creates the most incredible jewellery and made the necklaces and earrings for her sisters (bridesmaids) and longtime friend MC.

So…here they are E Pix and Wed Pix.

E.Pix

Wed Pix

Congrats again, you two! Enjopy the preview. xox

I met Chelsea last year when she visited my booth at the Brock House Wedding Show. We hit it off immediately and I was thrilled when I got an email from her the next day saying she wanted to book me for her July 2008 wedding. Fiance Dwayne, from New Zealand, was fighting in the Middle East. Chelsea waited patiently for her sweetheart to return and a few weeks after he did we took these pictures at Coal Harbour. The love and passion these two have for each other shines through in the pictures. I can’t wait for the wedding!
Chelsea I know you are another avid fan of my bog…now it’s your turn! Enjoy! xox

In recognition of Dwayne’s New Zealand background, in this picture they are giving a Maori greeting called a “Hongi” It is a welcoming expressed by the rubbing or touching of noses (the equivalent of the Western kiss) and literally means “the sharing of breath”.

I first met Erin and her husband Rod 3 years ago when they asked me to take pictures of their son Finn for his first birthday. Since then I have been taking pictures every year for them…which is quite the compliment since they live in New Zealand and make a point of scheduling a photo session every time they come back to Canada for a family visit. It’s been a real pleasure to see Erin and Rod every summer and to see Finn and little sister, Macey, growing up.

Finn at his 1st birthday session in 2005

Finn at nearly 4 years old

And little sister Macey

Looking forward to seeing you all again next summer! xox

Friday July 4th started out as a super busy weekend with 3 weddings scheduled over Friday, Saturday and Sunday!

First up was Ali and Bryan with their beautiful, romantic wedding at Cecil Green Park, UBC, Vancouver. Despite a weather forecast of showers and clouds the rain held off and we had a gorgeous day. Ali and Bryan are one of the sweetest couples ever and together with their families, the bridal party and a combination of fabulous vendors the day was a huge success….Karen Ell was officiating, Oasis Flowers created the beautiful bouquets and centre pieces and April Cakes made the gorgeous AND delicious cake.

Ali, I know you love reading my blog…..enjoy the preview and see you soon! xox

June 28th found us on the Langdale Ferry heading to the Sunshine Coast for Nikki and Jeb’s wedding. Unlike the last couple of weekends we had gorgeous weather with clear blue skies and soaring temperatures.

After we arrived we headed up to Davis Bay to capture some shots of Nikki and the girls getting hair and make-up done at the Rainbow Room.

Then it was back on the road to the fabulous Rockwater Resort at Halfmoon Bay. This has to be one of my favourite locations ever for weddings, the scenery and location are simply spectacular.

Jeb - our handsome groom, not looking as nervous as he claimed he was.

Nikki’s details were all to die for, everything from the dress, to the shoes to the explosion of colours and fragrance in the bouquets, and of course not forgetting one of the cutest ringbearers in the world.

Time to get married….

And some of my favourites from after the ceremony…

Congratulations Nikki and Jeb…we had a blast working with you both. I know you are home from honeymoon now and dying to see some images…enjoy! xox

June 21st 2006

Canadian Soldier Ryan Elrick’s life was suddenly turned upside down when he was blown up while serving in Afghanistan.

Fast forward 2 years to June 21st 2008

Ryan Elrick is the happiest man alive, marrying his sweetheart Shannon Watling. This couple from Winnipeg chose to come out beautiful Vancouver with their family and friends to exchange marriage vows and celebrate.

These are truly two of the most wonderful people I have been fortunate enough to photograph, and their story of courage and bravery is inspirational. Thank you Ryan and your comrades for keeping our country safe. I wish you and Shannon the best of everything in your new life together xox.