Too Busy to Blog.

Sad but true. Sigh. 2010 so far has been such a busy blur. My apologies for not writing more substantial posts but many thanks for keeping me entertained with yours!

Saw this lovely Vancouver beach/island wedding on Style Me Pretty, check it out when you have a moment. Don't you love when blogs feature weddings in your neck of the woods? They get the creative juices weddings for your own wedding or your friends' weddings. It's also a great way to discover your local wedding vendors. Which wedding blog is your fave?

White Album Weddings via Style Me Pretty

DSG Photography March Portrait Special

For the month of March, book a Portrait, Engagement, Maternity or Family session with Toronto based DSG Photography and receive 2 FREE 8x10's & 2 FREE 4x6's and a 20% on all print orders.

Each session includes 1 location, an online gallery of proofs, 2 Free 8x10's & 2 Free 4x6's. All for the low cost of CDN $200 (+ applicable taxes).

Darren, owner of DSG Photography, shot my sister's wedding and did an amazing job. I highly recommend him. For more information, visit DSG Photography's site or email Darren at darren@dsgphoto.com. Tell him I sent you!


All photos via DSG Photography

Tidbits from the Interwebs

Sorry (in my Canadian accent) for the lack of creative posts lately. It's just been so hectic at work! In the meantime, here are a few links which you must check out!

1) Barbara Kua Calligraphy recently launched an online shop so now it's even easier to purchase their customized calligraphy stamps and sample calligraphy packs.


2) Toronto-based Sash & Bustle has also launched its E-Boutique. Items available to purchase through the E-Boutique include: veils, fascinators, bridesmaids gifts, bridal clutches and other wedding-related details.


3) My friend Michelle sent me this link to this amazing Mario Brothers' 8-bit video game wedding invitations. Check out the video below, and click on the above link to see photos of the paper invites!



4) After many weeks of suspenseful teasers, The Last Forty Percent Photography unveiled their brand new studio space overlooking the city. I love how modern it looks! I foresee LFP being bombarded with even more requests for boudoir sessions! To see more of their new space, click here.


5) Toronto Life magazine has posted select content from its Wedding Guide 2010 (on its website including a feature on Andrea Anastasiou, owner of White Toronto. Also check out Toronto Life's stunning wedding gown picks.

Don't forget to enter A Hot Pink Petticoat Giveaway - which has been extended to the end of Monday and is open to anyone planning an event (doesn't have to be a wedding). Note that the contest is now open to those outside of Toronto.

Divine Wedding Venues

via Kevin Lam Photography

How stunning is this church? While many couples choose to marry in churches, temples, synagogues, and other religious institutions, not many couples have the privilege of marrying in a grand, stained glassed-filled historical church like this one - the Timothy Eaton Memorial Church. I know many couples who forgo the familiar nature of their regular church/synagogue in favour of a church/synagogue that is more grand or ornate, i.e. more apropos for a wedding. For those of you who were or will be married in a religious institution, how did you decide on your venue?

* To see more from this wedding, visit by Kevin Lam Photography
** Don't forget to enter "A Hot Pink Petticoat Giveaway"!!!!!!

With Love, From Toronto

Last month, Style Me Pretty, featured this "Bohemian Romance" photo shoot styled by Toronto wedding planner Cynthia Martyn, with the assistance of a talented group of Toronto vendors. I love the colours - very apropos for a Valentine's Day themed wedding or engagement party. For those are you getting married in the Toronto area, this gives you an idea as to what this city's vendors can offer! To see more photos, visit Style Me Pretty or Cynthia Martyn's blog.



Concept Design & Styling: Cynthia Martyn Events Inc. www.cynthiamartyn.com
Photography: Mimmo+Naz www.mimmoandnaz.com
Cake & Sweet Table: Cake Opera Co. www.cakeoperaco.com
Stationery Design: Bella Invites www.bellainvites.com
Floral Design: Fuscia Designs www.fusciadesigns.ca
Vintage Gown: Cabaret Vintage www.cabaretvintage.com
Hair & Makeup Styling: Faces By Carla www.facesbycarla.com
Rentals: Chairman Mills www.chairmanmills.com
Linens & Chair Overlays: Susan Murray International www.susanmurray.com
Favor Boxes and Packaging: Liloo www.liloo.ca
Caramel Apples: Bruce Co. Nut & Fudge www.nutandfudge.com
Calligraphy: Calligraphy By Diane www.calligraphybydiane.com
Venue: Fermenting Cellar, The Distillery District, Toronto www.fermentingcellar.ca

Cutest Cake Topper Ever

via Kevin Lam Photography

I saw this adorable cake topper on Toronto photographer Kevin Lam's blog the other day and had to share. I've never seen anything so fun! To see how true the resemblance of the cake topper is to the bride and groom, click here.

Before becoming "The Professional Bridesmaid," I had no idea the vast variety of cake toppers out there. Are you a fan of the cake topper? What are you having/did have as your cake topper?

*Update: The cake topper was made by a friend of the couple's!

A Friday the 13th "I Do" - Part Deux

Part I- Jessica and Nick's Wedding

Hope you are enjoying your Sunday! Let's continue with Jessica and Nick's Friday the 13th wedding.

Both the ceremony and reception took place at Bellamere Winery in London, ON. The rustic feel of the winery was the perfect venue for this unconventional couple.

Instead of wearing a veil, Jessica decided to wear a long, black cape made by Nick's godmother. She proceeded down the aisle with her father to "Nothing Else Matters" by Metallica covered by Apocalyptica.

courtesy of Jessica

The ceremony, which Jessica and Nick wrote themselves, took place in one of the winery's buildings.

via The Last Forty Percent

Once they were married, the bride and groom walked down the aisle together to "Right Here In My Arms" by HIM.via The Last Forty Percent

Jessica DIYed a lot of the decor including the dogwood table centrepieces. She also designed and made all the paper goods, including the invitations and place cards. In lieu of guest favours, Jessica and Nick made a donation in memory of Nick's father to the Canadian Cancer Society. Guests were encouraged to take a Together.Strong wristband to honour those touched by cancer.

via The Last Forty Percent

Jessica was kind enough to share some 'behind the scenes' details........

How amazing is this card box? Unable to find something that suited her taste, Jessica decided to DIY a card box herself.

courtesy of Jessica

Nick designed Jessica's engagement ring and wedding band. Check out the black diamonds in her band.

courtesy of Jessica

Jessica also made her bridesmaids' jewelery -beaded drop earrings with matching necklaces.

courtesy of Jessica

A month to the day before Nick proposed, both Jessica and Nick each got infinity symbol tattoos on to symbolize their commitment to each other. They used this same symbol on their invites.

courtesy of Jessica

Congratulations Jessica and Nick. Thank you for sharing your wedding with us and showing us that 'strange' may be different but if you stay true to yourself, you're guarantee an awesome time.

*A special thanks to The Last Forty Percent.

A Friday the 13th "I Do" - Jessica and Nick

"There were black and white striped stockings. A black cape. Leather flowers. Black eyeliner. And black and white pinstriped boots. It wasn’t traditional. It wasn’t the norm. But it was perfectly them. It was the story of Jessica and Nick. Exactly as they wanted to tell it."

I don't think I could describe Jessica and Nick's wedding any better than Brianna (of The Last Forty Percent Photography) already has. When LFP posted photos from this funky wedding earlier this week, I immediately contacted Brianna to see if I could re-post the pics. I even bugged Brianna into passing along questions to Jessica. (Thanks Brianna!). Lucky for you and I, Jessica graciously answered my many questions and even provided more photo candy from her 'unusual' Friday the 13th wedding.

You're probably wondering why Jessica and Nick picked Friday the 13th. Jessica tells me there were a few reasons why they wed on such na "ominous'" date. 1) During their first year of dating, in lieu of celebrating their first Valentine's Day together, Jessica and Nick, neither believers in the 'Hallmark' holiday, decided to celebrate the Friday, February 13th instead. 2) Jessica found amazing vendor discounts for a Friday in November (both an 'off' day and an 'off' month for weddings in Ontario, Canada) and surprise, surprise, there weren't a lot of other couples sealing the deal on their selected date. 3) Jessica and Nick wanted throw an event that none of their families and friends had seen before, and that 'strange' can be fun. So this is how Jessica and Nick ended throwing a Victorian/Gothic/Rock n' Roll inspired-wedding on Friday the 13th.

Getting Ready

If you haven't figured it out already, Jessica isn't your typical bride. She may have donned a white wedding gown on her big day but she made sure there were bursts of her personality peeking through, such as her striped stockings and matching platform shoes. Not totally satisfied with her wedding gown, Jessica had the original sash removed and replaced with a black one adorned with a brooch she had found.


Not wanting to spend money on fresh flowers that would eventually die, and looking for a way to incorporate leather into her ensemble, Jessica turned to The English Rose Company in the UK to create this amazing leather rose bouquet. A matching boutonniere was also made for Nick.

The First Look

Ewan Phelan is a genius for perfectly capturing these below intimate moments.

The Bridal Party

Stay tuned for photos from Jessica and Nick's ceremony & reception at Bellamere Winery (London, Ontario) as well as some 'behind the scenes' photos from Jessica herself!

All photos by The Last Forty Percent Photography

For the Yummy Mummy in Your Life.......

Brianna and Ewan, the creative duo behind The Last Forty Percent Photography, recently introduced their latest service, MILph (Moms I’d Like To Photograph) sessions. Similar to boudoir sessions, MILph sessions are for those yummy mummies who want have sexy photos taken without stripping down to their undies - think sexy, sophisticated fashion shoot as opposed to sexy lingerie shoot. The first yummy mummy to participate was LFP photographer Yaira. Doesn't she look amazing?


So for those of you who aren't quite done with your Christmas shopping, consider gifting this fabulous experience! For more details, check out LFP's website.

In Love...

....with this wedding. The dress, the shoes, the swiss dot veil, the venue (Marvimon), the photo candy (by Sarah K Chen). To see more, click here to take you to Sarah's blog. You won't be disappointed.

The Wheels on the Bus Go Round & Round...

Love, love these shots. Who would have thought a school bus could double as a photography location? The Last Forty Percent Photography team never cease to amaze me. To see more photos from this wedding, click here.

Picture That Photography

As promised earlier, here is my 'interview' with Edmonton-based wedding photography team, Picture That. I love how they capture their subjects against amazing backdrops. Without further adieu, I introduce you to Susan and Krister, aka Picture That!

How did ‘Picture That’ come about?
Picture That came about as sort of a therapy. I (Susan) was married in 2004 (now single), and the photographs were horrible. There were also very few of them. I was really depressed, until my best friend (now business partner, Krister Temme) bought me a digital SLR camera. I began photographing my family and friends and doing free wedding photography for brides for whom professional photography was not a priority (or for those who could not afford it). I took classes and studied under some other photographers in my area, and that snowballed into my own business! Krister and I started getting so busy we could no longer keep our day jobs, and went into photography full time! Now, about 5 years later, wedding photography is basically all we do!

What would you say is Picture That’s style?
Picture That style is romantic, fun, fashion-y, but mainly we strive to capture "real" moments and connection between couples. We believe that less isn't more, and like to capture guests on the dance floor, kids, details, anything that tells the story of a wedding - not just the bride and groom. For picture time (formals) we strive to make our photos stand out by using studio lighting and making people "pop" from the background.


Do you have a favourite location that you like to shoot at?


We don't have one favorite location . We love Fort Edmonton Park, Devonian Gardens, urban scenes downtown and rural scenes in the country. Really, we are happiest mixing it up and not always shooting in the same places! New places provide a new sense of creativity.

( The Professional Bridesmaid's note: This is the photo that caught my eye and led me to contact
Picture That!)

What type of portrait session do you like to shoot the best (e.g. weddings, maternity, boudoir) and why?

Weddings are our favorite thing to photograph as we thrive on the energy of a wedding day. It seems like such an accomplishment to document such an important (and usually quite long) story. We feel we get to know the couple and their families and friends by the end of the wedding. We love that deeper connection achieved by photographing a couple's wedding. We enjoy all other types of photography too, but weddings are a definite fave.

What has been your favourite wedding to date that you've shot ?

Our favorite wedding photographed to date was of Lea & Leo in the Dominican Republic. With a smaller guest list, and the nature of this destination wedding, we were really able to connect with everyone there. The ocean was inspiring and gave us many new creative ideas. The trash the dress session the next day was a blast, and we loved doing our first underwater bride & groom photos!


What is Picture That’s take on "Trash the Dress" sessions? Can you give a brief description of what happens in a TTD session?

Our take on "trash the dress" is to treat it like a fashion/romance session in which the couple can choose some amazing backdrops that they wouldn't have been able to use for their wedding, and spend the required amount of time to get the lighting just perfect so each photograph is like a magazine cover! We don't focus heavily on the actual "trashing" of the dress, but at the same time we don't worry about the dress getting dirty or wet either. The most fun sessions we've done so far have been in the ocean, at a fair on the rides, in pools, and in cool picturesque locations a few hours out of the city. So far every bride has been able to clean her dress without issue. We have some rockin' ideas for some new sessions, some of which would not leave the dress cleanable!

What is your favourite part of living in Edmonton?

Our favorite part of living in Edmonton is the diverse cultures in our city. We love eating food from all over (Indian, Thai, Chinese, Vietnamese, etc.) so this is a great place for that! We love that we are city enough to get some great urban settings for pictures, but close enough to farms to have some great rural locations too! Snow adds a fun element to photographs that not every photographer enjoys too!

Do you have tips for brides and grooms for their big day?

• Leave 3 hours for photographs if you have a larger family and want all of the standard combos for family photographs.
  
• Remember to factor in travel time when estimating your photography sessions . The more places you travel to, the longer your photography session will be.
  
• If you have photographs that are a must for you, ask your photographer for their standard list of photos they take, add in any you don't see, and cross off any you don't want. Try not to take redundant photographs (the same people grouped 10 different ways).
  
• Bring food and drinks, or schedule in a break time. Hungry people aren't happy people, and the photographs will show this.
  
• We carry an emergency kit with us. If your photographer doesn't, ensure you have everything you need to deal with any issues that may arise (bug spray, tide to go pen, floss, and band aids, lip gloss and a translucent powder are just some of the things you should bring with you).
  
• Make sure that you and your partner have at least 1 whole hour of photography to yourselves. If you feel that for whatever reason you can't schedule the time you need for photographs on your wedding day, consider a day after session with just you two where you can relax and take photographs wherever you wish, with better lighting (in the evening) and no time limit. You can (but don't have to) trash your dress at this time as well!

We believe photography is one of the most important wedding decisions to be made as it will be the main memento of all of the other decisions made (the dress, people, the favors, the cake and decor will be remembered forever in these pictures. Choose photographers who do not limit the photographs they take or give after the wedding, ones that are artistic and capable of adding that "extra something" to photographs once they are taken, and ones who actually LOVE weddings (and are not just there to make money, but prefer photographing bands or something else). Look at entire weddings when selecting your photographer. Choose someone flexible who doesn't put you into a cookie-cutter package where you will be paying for extras you don't want. In the end, ensure you are comfortable with the photographer you choose, that you feel they understand what you want and are capable of providing it! It's your wedding- you call the shots, we just take them!


Thank you Susan and Krister! For more information on Picture That, click here to visit their site and blog.