Laura & Geoff

I absolutely LOVE fall!  In Vancouver it is often anticipated that the weather will be grey, wet and dreary.  However, this wasn't the case this past weekend with the amazing "bluebird" day were lucky enough to enjoy.  Not only do I love a crisp and dry fall day, but the colours that the changing leaves bring, are spectacular.

Laura and Geoff were also thrilled with the weather.  To not have to pull out the umbrellas they purchased as a back up, they couldn't have asked for more.  With nothing but blue sky and sunshine it was an absolutely perfect afternoon for capturing love.  I had a great time with the wedding party laughing and snapping away.

Here are a few of my favourite photos...

Post Track: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9zpnLBtwwg

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Steph & Pat's Wedding

"It's like raaaaaain, on your wedding day..." are lyrics that most would hope never to become a reality on their wedding day.  However, this is how the morning started out on Steph & Pat's wedding...

I got in my car and made my way to Harrison through the torrential downpour.  I knew that there was a break in the clouds behind me but, would it make it our way in time for the ceremony?  Thankfully, yes!  As the ceremony commenced, the rain had dripped its last drop for the day.

The evening was full of familiar faces, friends, food and lots of laughs.  Both bride and groom looked lovely in their wedding duds.  The evening could not have been better.

Congratulations Steph & Pat!!

Post Track: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQ3KLBIDT48

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Brit & Jeremy

It doesn't often happen that you find yourself becoming such great friends with your new clients...

Well, this is exactly what happened the first time I met Brittney & Jeremy.  It was near impossible not to fall in love with the two of them.  We had an instant connection.  I think we all new that going forward, we would forever be friends.  After our first time meeting, I had the privilege of capturing these two incredible souls, during their engagement session.  We had so much fun sharing wine and laughs after our shoot, that we lost track of time and had to call upon a friend to rescue us from being locked in at the park.

Thanks to my new friends, having an "in," we managed to escape unscathed and created our fist adventure story.  Going forward, I knew that these two were not just clients, that they had left an imprint on my heart and I was so excited to watch our friendship grow and more importantly, their love.

Fast forward to their beautiful wedding...
The tone was set at such a different pace than I was normally used to.  It truly was an insight into their personalities.  Jeremy and Britney are such fun loving people.  Their friends, family and acquaintances were so welcoming and lovely, I felt like I had been part of this incredibly circle for so much longer...

Britney looked absolutely breathtaking.  Her beautiful bridesmaids were stunning and made me laugh from the moment we met.  This followed suit with the groomsmen and of course the incredibly handsome and charming, Jeremy.

I could go on and on, however, I will let the photos speak for themselves.

Congratulations Britney & Jeremy, I am so excited that you are both my special friends and I can't wait to watch you grow as a couple and family. <3

Enjoy!

Post Track: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QlNQD98lfUY

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Sharmila & Trevor

I had an incredible time capturing the marriage of Sharmila and Trevor the other week, in the heart of downtown Vancouver.  This beautiful wedding took place upon a rooftop patio, that capture my favourite city, in all of its summer glory.  With a handful of clouds in the sky, their wedding had the perfect blank canvas to commence their new journey.  Sharmila looked stunning in her saree, palleted in a gold and pink, and Trevor looked equally dapper in his pressed suit.  It was a lovely ceremony to capture and witness.  It is always enjoyable and refreshing to be able to capture and take in a new cultural experience, especially with such a lovely couple.

I wish you both a lifetime of happiness!

Enjoy!

Post Track: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJ_1HMAGb4k

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Mark & Mish's Mehndi Party

Of all the wedding festivities I have had the privilege of capturing over the years, this was my first ever mehndi party!  It is absolutely fascinating for me to watch the traditions and rituals of other cultures.  I would say that is probably one of my most favourite parts of being a photographer.  This party was no different.  I was able to get my first dose of some henna action.  I had anticipated that this would be something that would take quite a long period of time.  However, the image of my hand below with the henna on it took the lady about a minute to complete.  I don't even think I could complete a stick man in the time she completed the incredible design on my hand.  

The first evening of Mark and Nimisha's 3 day wedding celebration was a great way to kick things off. Celebrating with their closest friends and family the evening was full of laughs, food, wine, dancing and fun!  After a delicious meal consisting of pakoras, chicken tikki masla, poppadoms and much much more, we danced the night away with drums, tambourines, shakers and lots of singing.  It was a riot!

Best wishes to you both Mark and Nimisha on your beautiful wedding and new life together as a married couple.  xo

Post Track: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJ5BXfXUYwM

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Wedding Decor at Villa Amato

Another stunning set up by Sweet Beginnings Vancouver.  A clean summer pallet of white and silver with peach accents make up this elegant wedding decor.  I always enjoy seeing the beautiful work that these talented ladies turn out.  If you are looking to create your dream wedding down to the last detail, then I highly recommend these ladies to make all of your wedding wants and needs come true.   Here area a few of my favourite shots...

Post Track: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwHACITShSI&feature=kp

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Stephanie & Ryan

I headed out to Harrison Hot Springs this past weekend to capture the beautiful wedding of Stephanie & Ryan.  

The back drop for their ceremony is one of the most incredible views I have had for a wedding location to date. The view was spectacular!  Both Ryan and Steph were so incredibly warm and inviting, they made you feel right at home.  Their friends and family were equally lovely and I couldn’t have enjoyed myself more.  Stephanie looked flawless in her 100 year old, family laced dress and Ryan looked equally dapper in his plaid vest & bow tie.  The unique fishing influence that made its way so tastefully into the details of the wedding, was my absolute favourite.  Other than those pesky mosquitos, the day and evening went along seamlessly.  The weather was perfect, the food was amazing and the dancing… well even I couldn’t resist busting a move.

Congratulations Steph & Ryan on your perfect summer wedding!

Post Track: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ppC5bfJduhE

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Sharon & Sergio

I was lucky enough to attend two weddings this past weekend!  One of which was in Chilliwack, BC, set in the beautiful yard of Sergio & Sharon.

These are my favourite types of weddings; simple, intimate, casual and gorgeous!  Plus what more can you say about having such a knock-out-good-looking couple to photograph!  I loved all of their little western touches, including a family ride on their Horse, Macho.  The kids were too sweet for words.  They just loved being a part of the ceremony and were excited welcoming their new Step Dad, officially into the family.

A huge congratulations to Sharon, Sergio, Oliver & Charlie <3

Post Track: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ssdgFoHLwnk

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Jenn & Derek's Secret Wedding

After spending an evening with Jenn and Derek to capture their engagement, I was so excited to be a part of their special day...

The day before these two were set to exchange their vows on a beautiful beach in Cabo, they decided to get things sorted out on this side of the border first.  To make it official, Jenn and Derek had a mini ceremony outside of a little chapel in Richmond, while their two best friends gave witness to the magical evening.  Ask dusk set in and a spectacular sunset started to take place,  I was able to capture their love radiating much like the rays of light through the trees.

Here are a few shots that I wanted to share.  Enjoy!!

Blog post song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJ_1HMAGb4k

engagement post: http://jennicahookstraphoto.blogspot.ca/2013/10/jenn-dereks-engagement.html

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Dancing in the rain with Jen & Josiah

If you live in Vancouver, you know that it's raining about 80% of the time and sunny, the other 20%. While most people aren't thrilled with our exorbitant amount of liquid sunshine, we've also become fairly accustomed to it.  Though, I didn't think my beautiful bride Jen was going to let the rainy day of her wedding, roll so easily off of her back...

We spent so much time laughing in our gumboots, running around Fort Langley while clinging onto umbrellas, that we didn't really pay much attention to it.  But that's not to say that a stop for a hot chocolate afterwords, wasn't in order to warm up!

This was my third time photographing Jen & Josiah.  After our first photoshoot together of their family as a whole (they had just adopted their rescue dog Topper), we became instant friends.  I have so much fun with these two, it never feels like work when I'm shooting.  I couldn't have been more thrilled when they asked me to capture and be a part of their special day.  It was a lovely, intimate wedding with perfect little touches that reflected both Jen & Josiah.  There was enough food to feed an army, one of the coolest wedding cakes I have ever seen and some of the loveliest family, friends and guests I have had the pleasure of meeting.

If life has taught me anything (and continues to teach me), always make the most of a moment.  I think back to when I was a kid and never once did I ever worry about getting dirty, being late or having awful hair.  Life is fleeting...  So don't ever be afraid to get messy and if ever you can, go dance in the rain.  That's what they made towels for.

Congratulations Jen & Josiah!! xox

Blog post song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e2XPDP6KkkE

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Nicole & Nick's Wonderful Wedding

I have been to a LOT of weddings, due to my line of work.  Each one has been beautiful and special in its own way.  Though, it's not often that I find myself getting "misty eye'd" behind the lens.  The incredibly emotional ceremony and nature of this couple had everyone reaching for a Kleenex.  Their personal vows were incredibly heart felt and passionate.  You could easily see how much these two truly love each other.  I have known Nicole for quite a few years and it was very heartwarming to watch her marry the man of her dreams.  I have also had the pleasure of getting to know Nick and he too, is a beautiful soul.  I couldn't be more happy for them both.

Here are a few of my favourite photos from their special day and a song that I have chosen to go along with this post...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRAF9DxT1Os

Enjoy!

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Sweet Beginnings at the Vancouver Convention Center

I was asked by the owner of Sweet Beginnings Wedding Consulting & Event Planning, to capture their incredible wedding reception decor at the Vancouver Convention Center.  With a colour pallet of ivory, peach and silver this elegant set up complete with an amazing view, was one of the most beautiful wedding displays I have ever seen!  I always enjoy working with Sweet Beginnings to capture their incredible work and look forward to seeing what they come up with next.

Great work ladies!

A suiting song for this post:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FOjdXSrtUxA

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Kim & Sean's Wedding

A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of capturing Kim and Sean's wedding.
Kim and I have been friends for over 13 years.  It was so nice to watch her marry her long time boyfriend Sean, whom I have also become good friends with in that time.  I think that the happy couple picked the most beautiful day of the year to get married on.  It was a blue bird day and the sun was shining hot and bright just for them.

Kim looked absolutely stunning in her wedding dress and Sean looked simply charming in his suit. 

After a lovely ceremony followed by the reception, we laughed, wined, dined and danced the evening away. 

Congratulations Kim and Sean on your marriage.  I wish you both a lifetime of health, love and happiness. 

Here is a great song to accompany this post:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5TwT69i1lU

Enjoy!

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