Attention Photographers: Victoria BC Workshop March 4-6, 2011

You'll learn: Business skills & tools for wedding photographers Hands-on posing & directing (you get to shoot) Controlling light (natural & flash) Workflow & software recommendations Working with any body type, in any setting, in any lighting, in any weather. Site-scouting and planning for the wedding day

Schedule | March 4-6, 2011 | Executive House Victoria BC Day 1 | 10 am - 10 pm Morning: Work with any person, in any setting, in any weather. Fashion & candid/creative posing techniques. Afternoon: A real photo shoot with models in wedding attire. Evening: Critique and mentoring. Day 2 | 10:00 am - 10:00 pm Morning: Anatomy of a Wedding. Photojournalism skills. Night-time shooting & receptions. Natural light. Flash tips & tricks. Afternoon & Evening: A real photo shoot with models in wedding attire followed by an evening gathering (with dancing) to practice night-time shooting. Bring your boogie shoes. Day 3 | 9am - 6pm Morning Part 1: Critique of photos from day 2. Morning Part 2: Working with groups. Group posing. Hands-on posing & directing classmates. Afternoon: Business skills (from marketing to inquiry to delivery). Building your portfolio. Workflow. Tools of the trade. Retouching basics. More Information

WRITTEN BY A BRIDE TO HER MOM

Carrie Underwood's video for "Mama's Song" premiered today featuring none other than her mom Carole and husband Mike Fisher. This sweet, sweet song is about leaving the nest and finding the man of her dreams. Does a song dedicated to your mom on your wedding day get any better than this?



Mama, you taught me to do the right things
So now you have to let your baby fly
You've given me everything that I will need
To make it through this crazy thing called life
And I know you watched me grow up
And only want what's best for me
And I think I found the answer to your prayers

And he is good, so good
He treats your little girl like a real man should
He is good, so good
He makes promises he keeps
No he's never gonna leave
So don't you worry about me
Don't you worry about me

Mama there's no way you'll ever lose me
Giving me away is not goodbye
As you watch me walk down to my future
I hope tears of joy are in your eyes

'Cause he is good, so good
And he treats your little girl like a real man should
He is good, so good
He makes promises he keeps
No he's never gonna leave
So don't you worry about me
Don't you worry about me...

GRAND OPENING - WITH LOVE BRIDAL BOUTIQUE

It's finally here! For all you brides-to-be anxiously awaiting the opening of With Love Bridal Boutique we're happy to tell you, the wait is over! While With Love has actually been open for over a week now, their official Grand Opening will take place this Saturday September 25 2010. Come on by With Love Bridal Boutique from 10am-5pm to celebrate!

Located at 1501 Main Street in Stittsville, not only do they have an amazing selection of brand new gowns for you to choose from (Blush by Jim Hjelm and Mikaela are Viva's personal favourites!) they also have a floor dedicated to consignment - giving brides the opportunity to pass on their once loved wedding dress to another lucky bride-to-be while recouping some of the expense of their wedding day. Once Dana has helped you find the perfect dress, new or once loved, Becky is onsite to make sure it fits like a glove! Offering alterations of all kinds, Becky's your girl! And that's not all...

What's a fabulously fitting dress without accessories? With Love offers an amazing selection of jewelry hand crafted by Ottawa area artists (Something Jeweled by Sarah Walsh and Urbanite Jewelry by Krista Leben to name but two) along with beautiful veils and simply stunning hair pieces as well as sashes, boleros and floral embellishments created in house to help complete your look. Viva la wedding could not be happier for Becky and Dana who have teamed up to bring you this truly unique bridal boutique. What's so unique about it you ask? Here are the girls to tell you themselves.

About Us:

With Love Bridal Boutique stands apart from other bridal boutiques by catering to a niche often overlooked: the bride’s desire to not only find the perfect dress, but to also create a look she can call her own. We offer collections of modern, sophisticated, and stunning dresses from designers Blush by Jim Hjelm, Mikaella, White One, Jasmine Bridal, Jacquelin Bridals and bridesmaids from B2, Belsoie and Pretty Maids.

With Love Bridal Boutique presents brides a unique and personalized shopping experience by offering an intimate and relaxed environment to try gowns and accessories with their loved ones. With an emphasis on individualized attention, With Love ensures brides have a comfortable and memorable shopping experience.

In keeping with our desire to offer brides a customized look for her wedding day, With Love offers beautifully hand crafted jewellery by a variety of local artisans as well as veils, feather fascinators, hair pins and hair bands created in house. We also offer handmade custom accessories such as clutches, sashes, boleros and flower embellishments to allow brides to truly reflect their individual sense of style.

From the initial appointment to the delivery of the dress, With Love brides are treated with respect, courtesy, and exceptional customer service. Your shopping experience with us will be one of the many memorable moments in the wedding process.

With Love,

Becky and Dana

Photo Credits: m photography by Mélanie Rebane

WEDDING DRESS WEDNESDAY

Knowing Viva's weakness for designer shoes, it should come as no surprise that this month's Wedding Dress Wednesday post features a gown that is not only stunning on its own but also lets you show off those Louboutins, Manolos, and Jimmy Choos.

This beautiful dress is Style 1501 by Mikaella Bridal.

Since 1937, Paloma Blanca has been producing exceptional bridal gowns from its own manufacturing facilities in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Paloma Blanca has a reputation for designing and producing high quality fabrications with impeccable attention to detail, styling, fit and "on time" service.

March 1, 2004 saw the launch of Paloma Blanca's new bridal collection, Mikaella Bridal, designed to provide the bridal industry with a high quality product at an attractive price point while keeping production in Canada. Following in the same standards that has earned Paloma Blanca its reputation, Mikaela Bridal provides the 21st century bride with classic styling coupled with a modern flair.

Is this your dress? Then head on over to With Love Bridal Boutique, now open at 1501 Main Street in Stittsville.

Beatriz & Sam's Wedding - Vancouver Island

Photography by: Christina Craft & Eunice Montenegro
Location: St. Ann's Academy & The Marriott Hotel
Beatriz & Sam organized their entire wedding while living in France. Her family is originally from Brazil and, since Beatriz & Sam have traveled and lived all over the world, most of the guests were from far-reaching international destinations. I was able to shoot this wedding with Eunice (who is from Brazil - a special treat for her to speak Portuguese with guests) and we loved that Beatriz & Sam had so much trust in us. During the portrait session Eunice shot mostly natural light and I shot mostly off-camera flash. The results were so different from both of our cameras. We had such a blast at this wedding and went completely snap happy. Thank you Beatriz & Sam for letting us experiment so much and for being such rock stars. We loved working with you.


To view the slideshow, turn up the volume and click the play button

Photo by Christina

Photo on left by Eunice, Photo on right by Christina

Photo by Christina

Photo by Christina

Photo by Eunice

Photo by Eunice

Photo by Eunice

Photos by Christina

Photo by Eunice

Photo by Eunice

Photo by Eunice

Photo by Christina

Photo by Christina

Photo by Christina

Photo by Eunice

Photo by Eunice

Photo by Christina

Photo by Eunice

Louisa & Jesse's wedding at Island View Beach - Vancouver Island

Date of wedding: September 11
Location: Island View Beach, Victoria
Photographer: Christina

Humour was definitely the theme of Louisa & Jesse's celebration. As you can see from the photos, Jesse embraces his inner silly and can make Louisa giggle on whim. They were married at Island View Beach, one of the most beautiful locations in Victoria. A family friend officiated the ceremony and had the crowd doubled over in laughter during the vows. Since Louisa's family has life-long ties to the Saanich Fair, the reception was held where other members of their family have celebrated their own weddings. Although the fair was only last week, the entire place was transformed into a gorgeous wedding venue. Their DJ Cameron from Music Masters had the entire crowd on the dance floor - quite literally at one point during the locomotion - which was a total blast to photograph. Louisa & Jesse, you two were so much fun and I loved being a part of your day.

To view the slideshow turn up the volume and click the play button:













Reception




This was during the song "Sweet Caroline"

Lana & Michal's wedding in Victoria, BC

You know the saying, 'love isn't rocket science?' Well... considering Lana & Michal are actual rocket scientists I'm sure they'd beg to differ! They fell in love while studying for their engineering degrees at the University of Victoria (they are now doing graduate studies in aerospace engineering), so it was appropriate that their ceremony was held at the UVic Chapel. They are very close to their families and there were lots of tears throughout the day (it seems I can't escape getting choked up at weddings! LOL). Lana & Michal love the ocean so we took advantage of a perfect day to take some portraits on Dallas Road. The party was at the Royal Victoria Yacht Club and when I say party, I mean party! The dancing began with a tribute to Lana's grandparents (who have been married for 66 years) with their wedding song -- a song they haven't heard in more than 40 years. The play list included one of each guests's favorite tunes, which meant the dance floor was completely packed all night. The staff at the Yacht Club said it was the party of the year for them and I absolutely agree. It was a truly fabulous celebration. Lana & Michal, it was wonderful to get to know you both. Congratulations!


Because of Lana & Michal's height difference (Michal is 6'7" and Lana is 5'4") they used a stool for their first kiss - totally hysterical.