Ali & Rod

We spent yesterday with the most wonderful couple - Ali & Rod. They have such energy and spririt, and they are truly in love with each other. It is unfortunately rare, it seems, to find the kind of family bonds that we were witness to yesterday. Ali has two incredible moms - both of whom she loves dearly. And Rod has a wonderful set of parents as well. The bonds that these families have forged are something that I hope Steve and I can give to our own children. We felt so privledged to be part of their family for the day.

Ali is a beautiful girl. Stunning, actually. Her vivacious personality makes her outward beauty even more evident. And Rod is just an all around good guy. Together, they make an unbeatable pair. Their teamwork was evident in every aspect of the wedding day. From the programs and place cards, through to the meal selections and choice of DJ - these two created an amazing event.

Ali & Rod charted one of Vancouver's trolleys for the day. I always love it when people do this as the trolleys are way easier to get in and out of than limos are, and they are so fun to hang out it. Everyone can be together and the quaintness of the trolley helps maintain the energy level of the bridal party.

After the ceremony at St. Andrew's Wesley, we boarded the trolley for Granville Island, then Yaletown, and then onto the reception at the Terminal City Club. It was a great day!


Ali's father had passed away, but she carried photos of him with her the entire day:





And one of our favorite couples from 2005 - Lynette & Ryan. It was so great to see these guys again:

Sarah & Korgae

There was a time, when we wondered if we would ever have the pleasure of photographing Sarah and Korgae. We first met them way back when we had our studio/ storefront in Yaletown. They booked us for a wedding over 18 months away...and then they changed the date. No big deal, we were able to book it again and transfer their retainer to another date. I think they changed that date too - but, again, we booked it, so all was well.

Well, they finally tied the knot this past Saturday in a ceremony full of laughter and love!

And they could not have been a more beautiful couple...seriously, you'll have to forgive the number of images we've attached this time - Sarah could not look bad in a photo if she tried!

And the party? Well let's just say it was still quiet when we left...

A Vow Renewal

Most of you know that Steve and I have been married for a long time. We have two incredible children whose lives have enriched ours to no end. But, what we don't often talk about is the fact that we don't have very good wedding photos. They're ok, but they're not amazing.

So, we decided to do something about that. Steve and I renewed our vows at the Chapel of the Bells in Las Vegas. And we had four of the very best photographers in the world on hand to share it with us. We rented a slightly unconventional wedding dress, and had a slightly unconventional ceremony, but it was an incredible experience.

And then there was the photo shoot. What happens when you get four incredible photographers, and the city of Las Vegas as your playground? Well, check it out! Images from Doug & Chenin Boutwell, John Michael Cooper, and Vanessa Hall.

The Boutwells: (you can see more on their blog)

Viva Las Vegas

Steve and I were able to attend the second annual DWF convention in Vegas this year! We went last year and were just stunned and overwhelmed with the information we absorbed. We took much of what we learned and developed a series of ideas to elevate Tying the Knot and raise the quality of all aspects of our company. We ended up photographing 56 weddings last year, which meant a lot of the ideas we had spinning had to wait.

Well, not this year. This year we have made a conscious decision to take fewer wedding commisions and to really focus on the aspects of our business that we want to grow. And part of that plan was to participate in the DWF convention.

We had such an incredible time in Vegas. We renewed acquaintances we met last year and made so many new friends! It is such a great experience - you rub shoulders with the very best in our industry and realize that, at the heart of it, we're all doing this for the same reasons.

It is an unbelievable feeling to be part of a greater community. And to be part of a community that embraces the art of what we do as much as the business is even more incredible. In fact, a whole new world of opportunity has opened up for us this year. We have learned the value of believing in yourself - and going after what you want. As a result, we will be offering a series of seminars this fall throughout the US, and possibly Canada. Stay tuned for more of that.

Sandy & Steve

We first encountered these two at Lisa and Lawrence's wedding. They were at "that table". You know the one that every wedding has where there is a lot of drinking, a lot of laughing, and sometimes a whole other party taking place? Well, that was their table.

We saw them next at Allison and Kevin's wedding. And this time we sat at "that table" with them. And believe me, it was crazy! Sandy and Steve told us they were getting married on April 8th, but we were scheduled to fly out that night for a destination wedding in Mexico. But after spending the evening with them and realizing how much fun they really are, we agreed to talk about changing our flight.

Well, we changed our flight, and our plans for the Mexico wedding also shifted, so we were able to be with Sandy and Steve as they tied the knot.

It was such a fun day - full of incredible energy and excitement. These two have been together for a while, but their delight in each other is still wonderfully fresh.

Here are a few...

Ral & Danelle

Wow, what a great day we had with these two! I always feel so lucky when I see two people so in love! And what was even more special about these guys was that they hadn't kissed, on the lips, for over a year! They decided that they would make their first kiss as husband and wife essentially be their first kiss.

As they time grew near,the excitement between these two was unstoppable. They both started bouncing around and fidgeting - they wanted to get kissing. And Ral, being the character he is, decided to prolong the moment a little more by stretching, and pulling some antics for the guests.

But when it happened - it was a kiss full of passion and hope and love! Everyone should kiss like that on their wedding day!

Here are some of our favorites from the day...
The theme running through the day:


We did the photos before the ceremony, so there was never a "kiss", but so many "almost" moments. It created a beautiful tension in the images.




And finally....