Laurie: Prep Shots

Location: Edmonton

Time: 5:30am

Hair: Hua

Photography: Clara Lee

Make Up: Glenna Lee & Charis Fung!

 

 

 

 

Looooove the fascinators!  These were bought in HK, very couture and very Laurie!

My skinny witch fingers made the shot!  Despite Laurie only getting a few hours of sleep, her eyes were pretty wide awake and alert.

Some Urban Decay palette action…

 

Wicked hair by Hua, a sister-team specializing in hair, makeup AND photography in Edmonton.  Triple threat!!

Good morning sunshine!

Check out the PJs…hahahaa…so cute!

 The Matron of Honor prepping Laurie’s dresses.

The booo-tee-ful  bridesmaids all with FANTASTIC skin.  I was super envious.  I use makeup to do major cover up on myself, for these girls, it was to enhance their gorgeousness – great canvases!

 

 

 

Five girls and two moms dolled up before 9:30am!  Shout out to Charis for helping out with eyelash duty.  If anyone ever needs falsie eyelashes securely glued on, she’s your girl.  I thought Janet Hua was amazing with the hair. =)   Laurie, you were brilliant – hope you loved loved loved your wedding day !

 

Asha & Glenn: Wedding

The wind was a little biting that day but for a late October wedding especially in Calgary, nobody could complain.  It was a beautiful fall afternoon.  Clara and I photographed the first portion of Asha & Glenn’s wedding at Bowness Park where the leaves were still vibrant and the second portion at the Valley Ridge Golf Club for the ceremony and reception.  

First look at Asha’s wedding gown.

Some of the detailing off to the side!

Glenn had proposed to Asha in NYC and picked out their wedding bands at no better place than Tiffany’s on 5th! 

Asha’s mother did her bouquet and bridesmaid’s flowers.  I was most impressed!

Rhinestone details on the heels…

 

Asha keeps an eye on her bridesmaids and mother as she’s getting ready!

Rushing out of the house and off to Bowness Park…

Gorgeous bride!  Here’s Asha braving the cold at Bowness, although you wouldn’t know it judging by her radiant smile!

 

Literally chilling out at Bowness and getting lost in each other’s eyes!

Some dipping action!

Glenn’s glasses makes it ever more convincing of the old school look!

Some yummy back lighting in the late afternoon.  Both of them have piercing blue eyes!  

After the Bowness formals we moved on to the ceremony and reception venue:  Valley Ridge Golf Club.

Looks like fondant but this is actually buttecream icing.  Made by Adrienne Duckering ”the Cake Lady”.

Two very talented musicians from Estelle Music played during the ceremony – enchanting music!

Clara and I were so enraptured by Asha and Glenn’s story of how they met that we almost forgot to keep shooting!  

Asha & Glenn originally wanted their wedding outdoor.  The sun was still nice and bright, but the temperature was dipping too low so the wedding was moved inside!

They were still brave enough to venture outside for some quick shots before the reception. 

Asha & Glenn: congratulations!  It was an honor to shoot your wedding thanks for letting us being apart of your special day.  =)

 

Asha & Glenn: Wedding

Asha was all smiles when she opened the door Sunday afternoon, her hair and make up already done up and behind her, her family a buzzing in preparation for her big day.  She breathlessly went on to explain all the little snags that she and Glenn had to iron out in the morning and had just taken care of 5 minutes before Clara and I go there. I was so amazed at her calmness, she seemed so relaxed and easy going – while i was thinking if i were the bride i’d be freaking out!  Suffice to say, Clara and I found that Asha & Glenn were totally laid back and the rest of their day was beautiful and went as smooth as butter.  Sneak preview!

Nathan & Michelle

Clara and I have been to our fair share of weddings but we’ve never really attended a tea ceremony before!  When we walked up the winding driveway up to Nathan’s Aunts’ place, you could already see the house was adorned with the Lucky Chinese characters and we could feel ourselves starting to get in touch with our roots.  

I’m ashamed of my 10 years of Chinese school.  The typical Chinese characters: i have no idea what it says.  But i know it means something good!

Inside the gorgeous house, it was all prepped up in anticipation of Nathan and Michelle’s arrival.

Clara and I were greeted by several members of Nathan’s family…

- and a roast pig sitting out by the window!

Finally the bride and groom arrive with the incense.  Michelle’s dress was the traditional Chinese capo and i loved the cool collar.  

After literally feasting on the roast pig and a smorgasborge of other food  (Nathan & Michelle kindly fed us and we ate with the family!) the tea ceremony begins!  I loved that the house has such LARGE windows letting in so much warm light!  Nathan and Michelle’s outfits really soaked up the sun. 

They have a big family but they’re a well oiled machine… 

- an entire system of one relative after another in the chair receiving their tea….

Giving marriage advice and blessings….

…receiving the red envelopes!

…And the efficient around the room tea distribution!

The couple also had us attend their reception at the Regency Restaurant to begin the 2nd half of festivities. 

We snagged a quick picture of the two before the guests started arriving!

And again they kindly invited to stay and eat with them and their friends and family  - it was really fantastic.  The food was awesome and you could tell everybody was having so much fun.  It’s amazing how close knit the family is, which was to be admired.    Congratulations to you both - Thank you for having us shoot your ceremony and treating us so well, it was an honor!

 

 

 

Nathan & Michelle Tea Ceremony Preview

Clara and I were invited to photograph a way cool Chinese tea ceremony – none like i’ve ever seen.  It was super traditional complete with incense, lots of red envelops and a whole roast pig – which Nathan & Michelle kindly let us sample.  Ok, sample is not quite the word, we feasted with their tight knit HUGE family even before the pouring of the tea AND right before the banquet.  MMmmmmm!   Here’s a preview for now! 

 

Gloria & Paul’s Wedding

When Glo and Paul told us they were getting married at a Vineyard, it never dawned on me that it was going to be an outdoor wedding! We arrived at the Vineyard and it was so impressive! It had a bit of a colonial feel to it, kind of Scarlett O’Hara-ish!

Clara and I were totally late for Gloria’s prep (SO SORRY!), but our absence from her preparation made it all the more astonishing when we saw her for the first time in her wedding gown. She was stunning.

The wedding ceremony was set up next to a gorgeous garden and a pretty waterfall. Paul looked very handsome coming down the aisle!

This is Paul’s sister – isn’t she HOT?! I loved her dress. With Paul’s side of the family/friends we saw the coolest hair looks – like her head piece! Love love her hat! (Or is it properly called a fascinator?)

Gloria!!! She has looked this gorgeous since junior high; modelesque, tall (and constantly getting hit on.) Her dress had gold flecks to it, very warm, very glam. Loved the flower in her hair.

Gloria’s b-fry, her MOM! Isn’t that cool? They’re super duper close – it’s the sweetest relationship. Can you see where Glo get’s her porcelain complexion from?

Daddy’s girl…he wrote the most amazing words and blessing: wanting to let her go yet still keep her close…

Later on Rockstar asked if Paul was crying…Rockstar saw a tear run from his eye, to which Paul said – it was probably sweat…. it was really HOT!

**Edit: can you see Rockstar in the background? He was asked by Gloria to play guitar for her as she walked down the aisle – Collide by Howie day. He was SO honored!**

Presenting Mr. and Mrs. Gloria Huang! =)

So cocktail hour was actually quite confusing, because it consisted of: lamb chops, a pasta station, fresh vegetables and fruit, sushi, ham…

there was so much food we were stuffed silly and thought it was our dinner! Little did we know that after stuffing ourselves @ 5pm they called us for our actual dinner. MORE FOOD!!!! =)

This is the first time i’ve seen a bride wear a corsage and i really liked it!

Roger, Gloria’s brother, put on the coolest slideshow with an Indiana Jones map theme. The music he chose was awesome, like cooler than The OC soundtrack. Glo obviously loved the slideshow, big hug!

Gloria, obviously very touched…

Gloria and Paul’s wedding in Long Island was totally memorable. Thank for you inviting the Calgary contingent – YEE HAW! You put on quite the spread! We should have brought our tupperware for the Viennese hour! As a power couple, you are kind, funny, generous, and hospitable. We are very blessed to be called your friends. Congrats! So…kids? Just kidding. =) Check out their official photog’s site, Blue Daisy Weddings!

Jenn’s Wedding Prep Photos

Jenn answered the door holding a cup of hot tea with her hair already all done up. Clara and I hugged and congratulated her on her BIG day! Music was already pumping from inside the dining room where the BM’s chatted in a fashion that didn’t reflect early morning at all. It was really a fun and exciting morning, beautiful, relaxed and my heart welled for joy for our good friend that day getting married!

Arriving at Jenn’s 7am has its perks when it comes to the warm streaming lighting that filtered into her bedroom.

The sun moved really fast but we were still able to get in some nice warm shots of Jenn’s pretty dress hanging from her dresser.

Jenn’s super funky mirror. She was telling me that she LOVED this mirror as i absently listened to her because I was taking this shot – then she asked if i were listening. I was! Kind of!

Fabulous shoes! The pearls are pretty. I think she got these in Hong Kong!

Beautiful flowers done up by Auntie May. I’ll have to get her contact info!

Make up time, done by the fantastic Joelle Chan from Inouvi Cosmetics. Seriously, she’s awesome.

Jenn’s turn in the make up chair. Not a bad canvas for Joelle at all!

The maid of honor zipping Jenn up in her dress.

Hair and makeup all done! Jenn making the final adjustments before the jewelry goes on.

The bridesmaids had beautiful satin sashes to add as a final detail to their cute Dessy Dress.

Lookin’ good! Kudos to Joelle! Not that they weren’t BEAUTIFUL to begin with!

Jenn’s mom assisting her with the frosting.

Doorbell rings as Jenn puts on her final pieces before the veil. One of Ben’s buddy arrives to pick up the girls in his shiney Lexus!

Ta da! And it only took 3.5hrs for 5 girls to get ready! Not bad!

I have no idea what they’re laughing about, but from what they told me their whole day consisted of constant laughter.

Jenn being ushered into the car so she can get to the church on time.

Thanks for asking us to do this for you – it was really awesome to be able to spend the first portion of your wedding day with you and the girls. All the best to you and Ben, Clara and I cried so much last Saturday. LOVE YOU AND BEN-BEN LOTS! xoxo

Jenn & Ben’s Wedding

Clara and I were asked by Jenn to photograph her prep shots on her wedding day. We were stoked to be among the ranks of her bridesmaids for the morning! We arrived early Saturday to Jenn’s greeted by her bridesmaids in fits of giggle while they were getting their hair and makeup done. Everyone was super chill and laid back (Jenn especially!), Uncle Kenny joked that it was the perfect morning – for golf. Here’s a preview of Jenn’s beautiful morning, will chat more about their day soon!

Gavin & Sylvia

She was Miss Independent and he was The Invisible Man. Someway somehow they were meant to be and when Syl came back to Calgary after university, Gav was right there! She went to New York to follow her dreams – and dare i say Gav went to NY to follow his dreams and his dream girl as well?

We spent an amazing weekend in VanCity to celebrate their wedding @ Vancouver’s Canada Place. As they exchanged vows, Syl confidently without missing a beat gave her promises to Gav straight from her heart. It was very genuine, very Syl. She said Gav was and will always be there for her with open arms and she knows that two are better than one. Gav told her he loved her (and we all knew he always has!) They’re so blessed the have each other.

Fantabulous wedding program, loved the detail, ribbon and colors. Regal, yes?

Oceanview Room at Vancouver’s Canada Place where the ceremony was held.

We were staying at the Delta Hotel downtown. While Clara and I were getting ready before the wedding, Rockstar decided to take the camera for a walk and guess who he ran into? Gavin’s boys! Syl & Gav were doing photos before the wedding (www.eringilmorephotography.com)

Gorgeous flowers here’s the bridesmaid bouquet. I forgot who they said the vendor was, Granville Island Floral? I’m really digging the pinks.

The processional, Syl in her stunning dress and Uncle Albert wearing his trademark tie!

And here are the Tams! YAY!!

Baby tinkering at the piano during the cocktail hour. He’s got some musical blood in him.

Our MC’s of the evening, Miss Ritchie and Kenny. They look so good! Ritchie’s dress you can wear a gazillion different ways as long as she doesn’t loose the instruction manual!

Super classy centre pieces. It made the reception hall look gloriously pretty.

The cupcake idea is awesome – evening out the icing to cake ratio is never a bad idea!

Despite the rain, it was a wedding to behold along Vancouver’s gorgeous harbor. Congrats you two – it was such a beautiful day! MUAH! XOXOXOXO!