PUT YOUR BEST FACE FORWARD

Michelle Pattee has been shooting weddings for almost fifteen years and has stared down many, many brides through her lens. Here are five great tips she has to offer on creating wedding day images that will make you smile for years to come.

1. Get some rest, and plenty of it. The night before your wedding will probably be a party, but make every effort possible to get eight hours of sleep. It is the best beauty treatment out there and it does not cost a cent. Try to pack in the sleep hours the week before your wedding also – it will definitely make a difference. If you are feeling overwhelmed with tasks, then delegate, delegate, delegate, so you can hit the hay!

2. Don’t get your first facial the week of your wedding. If you have never been to an aesthetician, then pace yourself and schedule your treatments in advance. Your skin may react unpleasantly and you need a window of time for it to calm down. Skin treatments are more effective in a series, and should begin at least six months before your Big Day.

3. Drink water. I know you have heard this plenty before, but it plumps the skin. Plus, it ranks as another FREE beauty treatment and we like those. Eat something too. You may be too nervous for food on your wedding day, but you must eat, especially breakfast. You need the fuel food provides to get you through the party (and the photo session).

4. Put your faith in yourself. Go with your gut when you hire your photographer. She or he will be in very close proximity to you on a day in your life that is like no other. Listen to your instincts when you are interviewing prospective shooters and ask yourself these questions: Can I be comfortable around this person, even in my bathrobe? Will my family and friends be comfortable with this person? You will be relaxed and confident, and that will translate through to the photographs, if you are at ease with your photographer.

5. Put your faith in your photographer. Once you have hired your photo soul mate, hand over the reins and let them fly. Tell them in advance of your wedding day, about any insecurities or opinions you have when it comes to being photographed. Once that is covered, don’t give it another thought. On the day of your wedding, let the photographer direct you and try not to second guess their instructions.

JENNIFER & RÉJEAN GET MARRIED!!

On Sunday July 5 2009 Jennifer & Réjean had their wedding ceremony and cocktail reception At the Schoolhouse. What an amazing afternoon! The ceremony was just beautiful and the speech Réjean gave declaring his love for Jennifer was so heartfelt. Here are a few moments of their day captured by m photography.

Venue: At the Schoolhouse

Caterer: The Mixing Bowl

Photographer: m photography

SNEAK PEEK AT JENNIFER & REJEAN'S WEDDING

The talented Mélanie Rebane of m photography captured this special moment between the bride and groom on their wedding day.

Kortni & Chris - Sneak Peek

Photographed by Christina & Kelsey: Kortni & Chris and their entire family were among the nicest people I've met in my life. We can't say enough about them and how much fun we had at their wedding. To top it off, almost every speech choked us up! This is an early sneak peek and we can't wait to share the rest of the photos.

Rachel & Aaron - Trash the Dress - Nassau, Bahamas

OUT OF ORDER

To anyone who has recently tried to contact Viva la wedding using the link found under our profile, unfortunately we were just informed that it has been 'out of order'. A big apology to those who have tried to contact us and never received a response. The link is now working again and we look forward to hearing from you!

SPEAK NOW OR FOREVER HOLD YOUR POOCH

The idea of a dog walking down the aisle at a wedding ceremony or posing for wedding pictures with the bride and groom may seem a little strange to some but if your pooch is part of the family, including them in your wedding may be an obvious choice.

Here are ways your dog can be included in your big day along with a few tips to make sure your wedding doesn’t go to the dogs (sorry, we couldn’t resist):

Ways your dog can take part in your wedding -

- A dog acting as a ring bearer is the most popular and easiest way to include a well behaved dog in a wedding. It’s fairly easy to teach a dog to carry a ring pillow down the aisle and even easier if the dog wears the ring pillow on their back or has a small pouch containing the rings tied to his collar.
- Your dog could walk down the aisle with your bridesmaids wearing a small lei matching your bouquet or stand with your groomsmen in a doggie tuxedo.
- Have him walk down the aisle with your flower girl or ring bearer.
- He could stand with who ever is passing out the programs to greet your guests as they arrive.
- If your dog is good at coming when called, have someone hold him behind the seated guests throughout your vows and when the ceremony’s over, after your big kiss, call him to run down the aisle and join you.

- For the dogs that just aren’t up to playing an active role in your wedding, incorporate them in your décor. Place pictures of your pooch on each table at your reception along with that table’s number so your guests know where to sit.

Tips when including your pooch -

- Don't forget to schedule a trip to the groomer. Your dog deserve a spa day just like you do. Try Bark & Fitz located in Ottawa(Westboro) or further west in Kanata.
- Designate someone to be responsible for your pooch during the ceremony and to transport him there and back. It should preferably be someone your dog’s comfortable with and who's not directly involved in the wedding.
- If a child will be walking your dog down the aisle, an adult should be on hand to supervise both before and after.
- Bring treats to help persuade your dog to participate and make sure he’s not easily distracted and can sit and stay on command. You may want to consider obedience classes prior to your wedding if you think this might be a problem.
- A dog’s toy or bedding can be helpful in fostering a sense of comfort and security so keep them both in the area if possible.

Photo Credits: Merge Weddings, Snippet & Ink

INSPIRATION - THE SASSY SOCK??

Not to be outdone by their bride's sassy shoe, grooms are now stepping it up a notch too when it comes to their feet.

Photo Credits: Snippet & Ink

INSPIRATION - THE SASSY SHOE!!

They can be Louboutins from Holt Renfrew or Abaetés from Payless - just make sure they're sassy!

It started with the dyed crinoline. Brides were getting bored with their all white wedding day wardrobe and decided that dyeing their crinoline pink to match their flowers or blue as their 'something blue' was the perfect way to add that fun burst of colour, while still leaving them with the option to keep it hidden under their traditional white dress if they weren't feeling so daring as to show it off.

Now it seems like the white wedding shoe just doesn't cut it anymore either. Time to go shopping ladies... mama needs a new pair of sassy shoes!

Photo Credits: Snippet & Ink

MELANIE & PETER GET MARRIED!!

On Saturday June 27 2009 Melanie & Peter were married At the Schoolhouse and Viva la wedding was honoured to be a part of it. The Ottawa Senator fans chose black, red and gold as their wedding colours and Melanie looked absolutely stunning in her gold dress. Here are a few detail shots of their day captured by Pellerine Photography.

Venue: At the Schoolhouse

Caterer: Bytown Catering

Photographer: Pellerine Photography