Kara & Don's Wedding in Saskatoon & Maui, Hawaii - Part 2

Kara & Don were so expressive and grateful for all the love they have in their lives and they had everyone - including me - verklempt throughout the day. Don's face when Kara was walking up the aisle says it all. I felt an instant connection with everyone and we became fast friends, plus I was treated to the famous Saskatchewan hospitality by some of the friendliest people you'll ever meet. Saskatoon has experienced record rain this year and it's caused a lot of flooding and problems for residents. However, Kara & Don were given a perfect, sunny day for their ceremony. Everything went like clockwork and, since Kara is a wedding photographer herself, she knew to pad extra time in case of hair or makeup emergencies... plus lots of time for portraits between the ceremony & reception.

Kara & Don's Wedding in Saskatoon & Hawaii - Part 3 - Sakatoon Portraits

Since Kara is a wedding photographer, she knew to plan lots of time to take photos around Saskatoon (almost four hours between the ceremony & reception). We were able to take photos at the University of Saskatchewan, the river and a beautiful fallow field outside of town. And it was awesome that a fellow wedding photographer would know that it would be perfect light just before the reception. It was a perfect day.






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SAY CHEESE!!

Candy buffets, dessert buffets, and the list goes on. While these buffets are all the rage right now lets face it, not everyone has a sweet tooth. We just love this twist on the sweet buffet and couldn't resist posting images of it for you all to see.

This amazing cheese buffet table was created by Sunday Suppers for Martha Stewart's Wedding Blog: The Bride's Guide With Darcy Miller. While the cheese looks amazing on its own, displaying french baguettes, pears, and honey add the perfect amount of colour and shape to the table - not to mention they all help to highlight and compliment the taste of the cheese.

Looking for something different to serve your guests late night? A little cheese sounds good to me!

THE BRIDE WORE VERA

In the past few months we've seen many high profile weddings in which the brides chose Vera Wang to design their stunning gowns. Chelsea Clinton wore Vera when she married investment banker Marc Mezvinsky on July 31 2010. Alicia Keys married producer/rapper Swizz Beatz (aka Kasseem Dean) that very same weekend and looked stunning in Vera as well. Other famous Vera brides include Avril Lavigne, Alyssa Milano, Kloe Kardashian and Ivanka Trump.

A native New Yorker who spent her career at the forefront of fashion, Vera Wang began a sweeping makeover of the bridal industry in 1990 with the opening of her flagship salon at the Carlyle Hotel in New York City. Today the salon continues to showcase her collections known for sophisticated drama, feminine detailing and a modern approach to bridal design.

Hilary Duff is the latest lucky lady to wear Vera on her wedding day. Hilary and former Ottawa Senators hockey player Mike Comrie tied the knot on August 14th 2010 at a private 1920s estate in Santa Barbara California. Surrounded by a canopy of flowers, Hilary and Mike exchanged vows at sunset as the bride's sister, maid of honor Haylie Duff, and 100 of the couple's family members and closest friends watched.

When it came to what to wear for the most important event in her life (so far), Hilary had a clear idea of her dream gown. "I really wanted something that was deconstructed, not perfect and prim and proper." Vera Wang ran with the idea, creating a breathtakingly romantic, blush silk tulle and organza mermaid look, adorned with giant blossoms made specially for her famous client. "This was the perfect dress for Hilary - fragile, youthful, sexy garden party." explains Vera, who worked directly with Hilary on the design.

Dying to learn more about Hilary and Mikes wedding? You should be! With Mindy Weiss as their wedding planner, it isn't anything less than spectacular! Check out the latest issue of OK Magazine on newstands August 30 2010 for all the details and photos of their big day!!

Elleen & Bill's Wedding at Diria Tamarindo, Costa Rica

When Elleen & Bill booked me to photograph their wedding at the Hotel Diria in Tamarindo, Costa Rica, I did a little dance. It wasn't just because Costa Rica is my favorite place in the world (I was married there 11 years ago and have visited the country many times)... but because Elleen & Bill seemed so incredibly nice. True to my impression, these two were very warm and welcoming - with a great sense of style (check out the shoes!) After a week of thunderstorms in Tamarindo, they had the best weather on the day of their beach ceremony, with lots of dramatic clouds but no rain or lightning in site! The Hotel Diria was an excellent choice of venue because it had a perfect amount of elegance along with a Costa Rica casual flare. The next morning we got up bright and early to do a trash the dress on the beach. What a blast! Working with Elleen & Bill was so easy and reminded me of why I love photography so much. Elleen & Bill - congratulations!!

Aren't these the coolest wedding shoes?























Another reason these guys are so great: The entire wedding party jumped in the pool at the end of the night (a first for me!)













And finally... one last dip to clean up!

Costa Rica Wedding Photography by FunkyTown Photography

Andrea & Kelly's Wedding - Morraine Lake, Rocky Mountains of Alberta, Canada

While I was in the area to shoot Hanh & Kevin's wedding I was able to help out Julie Williams for Andrea & Kelly's wedding at Morraine Lake in Banff National Park. Julie & I used to team up when we both lived in Victoria so it was a lot of fun to get to work with her again, and twice no less!! It's been a while since I was a second shooter and I had so much fun working with Julie, who let me have some creative freedom. Andrea & Kelly rented a huge limousine bus (one of the neatest limos I've ever seen) to bring everyone from Canmore to Banff National Park for their wedding. It had been raining a lot that week (it even snowed a bit!) but the sun came out in full force on their day. Morraine Lake is one of the most picturesque lakes in Canada's rocky mountains and their ceremony was on a bluff overlooking the scenery. We then spent some time doing portaits in the forest and fields around the lake. Andrea & Kelly were really easy going and nice so it meant the session was a blast. Julie - thanks for bringing me along. Andrea & Kelly - it was so much fun to meet you. Congratulations!

The next image was not photoshopped... Morraine Lake really is that color!

SOLE MATES

Unfortunately Viva’s love of outdoor weddings along with our love of designer shoes hasn’t always been a match made in heaven. Let’s face it, luscious grass covered ceremony sites, cocktail receptions on beautifully stained decks and tented dinners on perfectly laid cobble stones aren’t really a high heel’s best friend. Not willing to give up one or the other (outdoor weddings or high heels), Viva went on a hunt to see what we could do to help them get along.

High heels, meet SoleMates.

"At last the sole-ution to wearing high heels on grass, cobblestones, bricks, wooden decks and over subway grates! By increasing the surface area of the base of the heel, SoleMates reduce the pressure preventing them from sinking into the grass or falling into cracks."

Not only do these little babies make walking on grass a breeze, they also help to protect your heels and prevent damage to those oh so stylish Louboutins you splurged on for your wedding day. And don’t forget your bridesmaids. Now they can walk down the aisle with confidence too.

While located in the US, SoleMates does ship to Canada and offers a fantastic discount to brides!