CONGRATULATIONS!

Congratulations Veronique Biron & Andrew Mouland - 1st place winners!

Veronique and Andrew are the 1st place winners of Viva la wedding's Inspiration Board Contest! Their winter wedding will take place at the Crowne Plaza on January 30, 2010. For those of you not familiar, the view from the Penthouse level is spectacular! Viva la wedding is excited to be a part of Veronique and Andrew's big day and looking forward to working with them to ensure their wedding is all they imagined and more. Here's the inspiration board Veronique entered to win.

Congratulations Pamela Peacock and Serge Biron - 2nd place winners!

Pamela and Serge are the 2nd place winners of Viva la wedding's Inspiration Board Contest! Their fall wedding will take place at the Bean Town Ranch on September 19, 2009. Bean Town is a beautiful venue nestled in the countryside East of Ottawa.

Congratulations Stacey Cole and Steve Smith - 3rd place winners!

Stacey and Steve are the 3rd place winners of Viva la wedding's Inspiration Board Contest! Their summer wedding will take place on August 22, 2009. The ceremony will be in the breathtaking gardens of a private residence with a tented reception to follow.

Shelise & Bruce - Turks & Caicos

Photographed by Christina: I've just returned from the most beautiful wedding at the Nikki Beach Resort in the Caribbean island of Turks & Caicos. Talk about photogenic, Shelise & Bruce make such a gorgeous couple you may think they're from Hollywood, but Shelise is actually an emergency room physician and Bruce is in real estate! They came in from Chicago and flew in their friends and family from all over the country - Atlanta, California and Illinois to name a few. Everyone was so nice and friendly that I instantly felt welcome and part of the crowd. We spent the evening before at the Mango Reef Cafee near Provo followed by a sunset cruise. Yes, I'm completely spoiled. They had a ceremony just before sunset and we spent some time taking photos around the Nikki Resort, which was pretty photogenic too! Shelise & Bruce, thank you once again for including me in your day. I hope you have a phenominal honeymoon in Greece!

Shelise & Bruce - Rehearsal Dinner & Sunset Cruise

HAPPY CANADA DAY!

Photo Credits: The Knot

AND THE WINNER IS...

I know many of you are anxiously awaiting the announcement of who has won Viva la wedding's Inspiration Board Contest but there's still one week to go. We've received so many great entries - there are going to be some beautiful weddings taking place in the Ottawa area over the next 18 months!

For those of you who haven't yet entered, the countdown's on. The contest closes on June 30, 2009 so get those entries in. The winners will be posted on our blog, once notified, the first week in July.

HONOURING THE LOSS OF A PARENT AT YOUR WEDDING

Parents are usually present for each milestone in their child's life so getting married when you've lost a parent can be tough. When it comes to your wedding day there are special ways you can honour their memory if you want to feel as though they're still, in some way, sharing the day with you - but keep in mind that this is a day of celebration! Choose ways to honour them that will give you comfort rather than make you sad. No one should be sad on their wedding day.

- Reserve a seat at the ceremony in their memory
- Attach a locket with their picture to the ribbon of your bouquet
- Pin their wedding ring to the inside of your dress
- Carry the same flowers your mother did when she got married
- Wear a pair of your father's cufflinks
- Have your officiant dedicate a prayer or reading to them at your ceremony
- Include them in your programs
- Set up a small table at your reception with their picture and light a candle beside it in their honour
- Place your bouquet on their grave the day after your wedding

Photo Credits: Derrick Rice Photography

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!

First dance with Dad... 20 years early!

Photo Credits: laffler photography

Truffles Catering

Photographed by Eunice

Annie & Eve's Wedding

Shauna & Craig's St. Lucia Wedding

Photographed by Christina: I was really excited to go to St. Lucia since it's an island I've wanted to visit for a long time (think jungle, mountains and waterfalls flowing into the Caribbean sea). And I'm so glad it was Shauna & Craig's wedding that got me there. These two were so nice, easy going, and really, truly happy. Everyone came in from Fresno, California to celebrate... and that they did! It was definitely a happenin' party! They were married at the awe-inspiring Castries Catedral, which is the oldest (and I think largest) church in the Caribbeanwith a reception at the infamous Sandals Regency Resort. A couple of days after the wedding, we went all over the island for extra pictures, including the Piton Mountains (which are always on the covers of travel magazines). A cool story - Shauna's mom Terri met Craig first since he was her personal trainer. She thought he'd be a good match for Shauna, so convinced her to give personal training a try. The end result: a perfect match. Shauna & Craig, congratulations! I'm happy we had a chance to get to know each other.