Lola+Cam=Happiness | Vancouver Wedding Photographers

Vancouver Wedding Photographers

Isn't it funny how life works out? Lola and Cam's families had been connected for years - their grandmothers sat beside each other at church - but the couple themselves had never actually connected. It took a large family gathering neither Lola or Cam really wanted to attend for their paths to finally cross. And Lola almost didn't go! But she did. And they met. And it was the beginning of forever.

Their happiness with each other on their wedding day was almost surpassed by the happiness of their families - their small intimate wedding was simply overflowing with love. Here are some of our favs from their day at the Opus Hotel and Brix.

Love this spread of details in their album - check out their custom Adidas & shoelace ring shot :)



Lola was serene & beautiful.



Cam getting ready (little-known fact - Cam is officially the fastest tie-tier we've ever met!).



This sequence of Cam & his mom just makes me smile.



First Look.



Another one of my favourite spreads from their album.



Low-rider bike +super-fun wedding party= good times!



The grey & orange colour combo was unique & a little sassy! Love it!

Brix Restaurant & Wine Bar is in a 1912 heritage building & its centre patio has the romantic feel of European courtyard - the perfect spot to exchange vows.

A bit of a different perspective.

These two were so excited to be getting married!

Husband & wife!



Some of their beautifully simple & natural reception details included pebble stones for napkin rings, orange blossoms, and candles. I loved the display of photographs from the weddings of the couples' parents and grandparents. Photographs connect us.



First Dance.



It's always fun to shoot at night & I can't wait to see these two images full page & side by side in their album.





A little more night romance...

Congratulations, Lola + Cam - it was such a pleasure to be part of your day!

~~~

And yes, it is funny how life works out - like, for example, last week, life - with all its ups and downs and rounds and rounds -got in the way of all my well-intentioned blogging plans! But, we're still on the cans for comments bandwagon & we'd love to hear from you! In case you didn't read about it last year here and here, for each of your comments, we're donating one can to our local food bank. So, to all you blog readers who happen by here, drop by this week & give up some luv, and we will too :)

While you're at it, why not check out the blogs of tons of generous & talented photogs who are participating too from all around the country & beyond! Enjoy some gorgeous images, and give them some comment luv! Helping out has never been so easy, or so fun!

From the US of A...our fav Cali family of rockstar artists OHANA, the amazing Stacey Reeves of Dallas, Texas, Zeidler Photography in Minneapolis, Caroline Ghetes in North Carolina, Mike Murrow of Santa Cruz, and Erica May in Kansas City to name just a few!

And in beautiful BC...Van Photog leader Tracey Heppner, Erin Wallis (whoa - check out all those cans - way to go, Erin!), Blue Olive, Palaez Photography, Kristel Wyman, KP Photography, Michael Wachniak, Studio Jeanie, Andrea Blair, John Heil, d'Soleil Studio, McKinnon Photography , Laureen Carruthers, The Other Angle, and more!

And elsewhere in Canada... David Redding, Rowell Photography , Shandro Photo, and Lemon Fresh Designs

It was hard to keep track of all the people joining in (my list above is far from complete!), until the inspiring (and talented and hilarious!) Scooooooooty of Louisville's THINK PHOTOGRAPHICS started a site of everyone who is participating . Thanks for keeping the canwagon chugging along!

And I can't forget a shout-out to our 2010 bride who is spreading cans for comments throughout other realms of the blogger world - check out Karen's shopping trip for her canned goods on her blog To Be the Whole Package

So go on, leave a comment here or anywhere above and make a difference :) Thanks!

Location Report: The Biltmore in Asheville, NC

For us, when we think about destination weddings, they are usually intimate gatherings on some beach somewhere. However, one of the nicest wedding destinations we’ve seen recently is The Biltmore in Asheville, North Carolina.

We went to The Biltmore in Asheville for some personal relaxation time, but while we were there, we observed several weddings. It dawned on us – wow! This place makes a great wedding destination.

The Inn on Biltmore Estate makes the perfect home base for your wedding. It’s on the property, offers stunning views of the Great Smokey Mountains, has several nice restaurants and offers all the amenities you’ll need for your wedding. The hotel is rather large, but has a quaint charm since it is decorated in this French renaissance style. The staff is quite friendly and attentive.

The Biltmore House is the main event. This was originally the Vanderbilt Family’s country estate and they advertise it as America’s Largest Mansion. It is a huge mansion, meticulously maintained and thoughtfully presented. As we took the tour, we were able to look out onto the grounds and noticed there were several weddings going on. It dawned on us – this is a very romantic spot for a destination wedding.

For your ceremony and reception, there are a number of locations on the property – the lawn in front of the house (where the Biltmore serves as the backdrop), a terrace just off the house (looking out on the Great Smokey Mountains) or down in the Walled Garden (where you are surrounded by immaculate gardens and millions of flowers).

There is one downside to a destination wedding at the Biltmore – it doesn’t appear that they close down part of the facility for you. So, as you’re getting ready for your wedding, you could have tourists gawk at you (just as we gawked at folks on our visit).

Now, fair warning, we have no idea on the expense of a destination wedding at the Biltmore. I’m betting those weddings cost a pretty penny. They are gorgeous, but surely expensive. They have a wedding website, but it doesn’t have much information on it.

For the day after your wedding, consider having a brunch for you and all your guests at the Deerpark Lodge on the Biltmore property. They serve a decadent brunch in charming converted stable. It’s both rustic and sophisticated.

The Biltmore Estate is a wonderfully beautiful place and would be a romantic place for you to tie the knot.

Centerpieces that grow. Literally

Last week was Melissa & Brandon's wedding out at South Seas.  Melissa made it a priority to make her wedding as eco-friendly and charitable as possible, and so I wanted to do my part too.  For her rehearsal dinner centerpieces I purchased these incredibly cute Bella Palms- tropical and tiny enough to be on a table top.

Of course, I find the fake (plastic) terra cotta pot they come in not so table-top-fabulous.  So I placed the pots into a glass cylinder filled with these red kidney beans.

What I did not expect is that when I got them home and removed them from the cylinder that they would get weeds while sitting on my lanai.  For those who don't know me...I am not the green thumb or dirt type.  Not even a little.  I was ready to just toss these cutie pie palms out when I looked a little closer.
Those aren't weeds...they're little Kidney bean plants!  They had managed to germinate in just one weeks time and are already a foot tall!  How funny.

 So does anybody want some Kidney Beans?  I have about 13 seedlings. HA!

The Pro Series: Jason P Smith

Insanely talented.  That's what I emailed back to Jason after he shared these last images with me from our wedding just a week ago (click on featured weddings and then Melissa and Brandon).  While I was looking at his site, I also looked back to watch the slideshow from our 1st wedding together (Holly & Bradd) and wow did the memories come flying back.  Jason is the epitome of a true wedding photojournalist...he doesn't make pictures happen at all, he waits for the moments to arrive and captures them instantly.  In other words, "enjoy your wedding day as you will, I'll document it for you."

What is your company name and profession?

Jason P. Smith Weddings; I'm a photographer

What’s your name?

Should I know anyone else from your company?

Jason. Nope, it's just me.

Where do you do weddings?

 I've shot in a lot of places: Florida, Colorado, Maine, Michigan, Maryland, etc. I really enjoy traveling, so I'm always open to new locations and destinations. I'm available internationally.

Website:

www.JasonPSmithWeddings.com

How long have you been in business?

I've been in business seven years

Why weddings?

I love to tell stories with photos. My background is in photojournalism, and that is what photojournalism is all about; weddings are a natural extension of this in many ways. It's a story that is only told once, so it's always very rewarding when someone asks me tell their story--from the little things they spent months planning to the things they never expected would happen. Every wedding has a unique story and personality, and I work to make all of that come together in my images.

What your clients most often commend you on?

I would have to say the one thing that most people mention is that they really didn't notice me much during the course of the day, which is a big compliment. I do my best not to interfere with the course of the day as much as possible. My philosophy on wedding photography is that if you are working as a photojournalist and capturing the day as it unfolds, you will come away with a more compelling and story of the day.

Oh, and people enjoy the photos as well!

Best piece of advice for brides & grooms?

he best piece of advice I can give is to just plan a wedding that fits your style, and have a great time doing it.

What is one thing that makes working with new clients easier?

It would have to be having a similar vision for how the day's story will unfold through photos. It is so important that couples not only look for someone who they would like to spend the day with, but also someone they can trust to tell their story in a way that will really help preserve the memories for their future.

Can I find you on Twitter?

JasonPSmithP

What is the craziest request you’ve ever received? Or

What is the craziest thing you saw happen at a wedding?

Groomsmen burning money with their cigars at the reception

What is something you hope to do in the near future?

Man, that could be a long list. I always enjoy shooting in new locations, and places I've never been, so I hope to keep meeting interesting people and seeing new things. Both are a great source of inspiration.

Special just for you!

I'm currently offering a discount on travel rates.

The Pro Series: AMC Video Productions

Nearly every single Wedding Budget planning discussion goes like this:

Me: Should we budget for video?

Bride: No, I'll never watch it.  Or I'll watch it once.

Groom: If we get HD video I have to get a PS3 so we can watch the Blu-ray disk.  Yeah, we want it.

Me: The most common "thank you for insisting Kelly" that I have received over the last 6 years is to get video. Have you seen a good wedding video; one produced in the last 2 years? Watch this and then let me know.

Bride: They're all cheesy and have country songs.

Me: Just watch.

Bride: Okay, we'll consider and let you know.

Groom: PS3.

I swear this is true, nearly 100% of the time, ask any of my brides who said yes to video:

after the ceremony...before they're even at the reception...
Groom: That was so fast, what did I say?
at the end of the night...
Bride and Mother of the Bride: When do we get the video? I can't wait to see it.
and when they see the directors cut online...
Bride & Groom: This is the best thing ever.  We just keep watching it over and over.
and when they get the video...
Bride & Groom: Thank you for insisting Kelly.
Me: Did you pick a country song?

 

What is your company name and profession?

AMC Video Productions.  We film weddings and events.  We specialize in high definition and luxury event videos.  We love what we do and are passionate about our work in the wedding industry.

What’s your name?

Should I know anyone else from your company?

My name is AnnMarie Epple.  My husband Rob is my partner.   You might even see Lee, Matias, Jaron and Steven, our videography team.  Behind the scenes are our editors Christa, Shannon and Laura.  We are expanding all the time as our business keeps growing.

Where do you do weddings?

We capture weddings everywhere!  Most of the time you can find us in Naples, Sanibel Island, Captivia and Marco Island.  

Blog Title 

AMC’s Weddings and Events (amcvideoblog.com)

How long have you been in business?

11 years 

Why weddings?

Weddings are such a happy time!  We love to be a part of such an important event and watch the process unfold from the early planning stages to the wedding day. 

What your clients most often commend you on?

“WOW, your work is amazing”.  Many people think that video is what is was 10 years ago, long and boring.  (My own wedding video is like this!).  However video has come a long way and a good video company should be able to capture the day with creativity and tell a story that is different from any other.  Every day we hear from clients how they searched and searched for a video and how our work stands out above the rest.  That is what keeps us going.  The day we don’t hear those words, we know its time to find something else to do!

Best piece of advice for brides & grooms?

Take your time, and check out lots of vendors.  You will see a big difference in quality.  Shopping by price is not a good idea.  In the end, you will be disappointed if you do not find the right vendor for your big day! Ask to see a full length sample of a real wedding video.  From what we hear, this is a good way to see what you are actually getting, and you might be surprised at what you see.  Don’t settle for a one camera package, ask for 2 or 3 for multiple perspective, better creativity, and safety!  Is HD available?  We have been delivering HD for years now.  Everyone should be shooting HD.  The difference is amazing!  We are all ready taking steps to upgrade to the next big technological changes.

What is one thing that makes working with new clients easier?

It is always great to meet with a bride or groom and actually here what their vision of what they would like captured.  This way, we know what they are looking for in a finished product.  No two videos are the same.  Every person has a vision, and we like to customize video to exactly what our brides and grooms want.

Can I find you on Twitter?

Yes you can.  Rob twitters at amcvideo

What is the craziest request you’ve ever received? Or

What is the craziest thing you saw happen at a wedding?

Requests that we get all the time ---“Can you please remove all footage of the girl in the red dress?  We do not want to see her in our video!”  We have our local brides come to our studio for a preview before we make the final cuts – so we are hearing this more often then you would think.  Long distance brides get mailed a preview DVD before the finals are cut.  This way they are able to work with Rob on the final product and have exactly what they want.

Crazy stuff – we have seen lots of it!!  Belly dancers, monkeys, giraffes, sword cake cutting and brides and grooms jumping in the pool to name a few!

What is something you hope to do in the near future?

We are planning on doing a lot more travel beyond south west Florida, servicing discriminating brides who want more then just a video with a lot of coverage.

Special just for you!

Anyone who reads this blog post is eligible for a FREE upgrade to High Definition with Blu-Ray DVDS as long as we are available for your date!!!

    

       

Travel Insurance for Destination Weddings

One aspect of destination weddings that people often neglect is travel insurance. Destination weddings involve travel and sometimes the worst case can happen – a trip gets cancelled due to weather, illness or something else.

Travel insurance can protect you from these cancellations and problems. If your trip gets cancelled, you can get a refund. If you should encounter a medical problem, most travel accident insurance can get you good medical care. Personally, we both carry International SOS coverage through our employers for emergency medical. However, that wouldn’t help us with the financial piece of a cancelled trip.

If you purchase travel insurance, make sure it covers trip cancellation, trip delay and medical coverage. Most insurance coverage also covers lost or stolen luggage and personal property.

Do your homework to make sure you’re getting a good policy. Be sure to read all the fine print and ask lots of questions. Also, make sure your policy will cover the wedding (or "event") portion of your trip, not just the travel part.

From our perspective, travel insurance is mandatory for a destination wedding. Given the amount of money you’re spending on your big day, it’s better than taking any chances.

This is how your wedding should end

I just love this picture that Michelle Reed captured of Clint & Lauren last month. In this one single picture you see the excitement, joy, and fun.
What a great memory this photo will evoke for each of the guests that experienced that evening. A few key things I'd like to point out that you might consider to get the same kind of picture for your wedding day:

1. Lauren changed into a "getaway dress" or "going away outfit" 20 minutes before the reception ended.
2. The photographer was scheduled to stay until the end of the reception.
3. Confetti was given to all the guests as they were ushered to the porte-cochere.
4. A "getaway" car was rented for the wedding day to use for all the arrival and departures. In this case we rented a white convertible; but an antique car is also a great idea.