Let’s change things up and head south for a destination wedding shared by the sweet Leslie Brown Photography. Where? I’m pretty sure you can guess from the top image that it was shot in one of my favorite vacation spots, VEGAS! Raeleen & Jeremy’s sunset ceremony and reception was held at The Grove. They opted to have a ‘first look’ session which is increasingly more common nowadays. Here’s what the bride had to say about her choice to see her groom before the ceremony…

Jeremy & I decided to have an evening wedding ceremony followed by the reception. With no time in between the ceremony & reception for photos, Leslie suggested a ‘First Look’ session. I was intrigued and immediately searched online for what these sessions were all about. I got chills just looking at some of the photos and knew that this was what I wanted to do.

When the day came, I wasn’t nervous at all… until I was hidden around the corner from my soon-to-be husband. Once Jeremy was placed facing away from me, I started the walk towards him and a wave of emotions came over me. I couldn’t believe this day was finally here and I would be marrying the man of my dreams and my best friend. I tapped him on the arm, he turned and looked at me with a look that made me feel like the most beautiful girl on earth. Even though we were surrounded by people, I felt as though we were the only two people there. At that moment, I felt the closest with Jeremy that I’ve ever felt before.

To all soon-to-be brides out there, you should definitely consider having this type of photo session before your ceremony. It allows for you & your groom to connect emotionally and savor the moment before getting caught up in the rest of the day’s events. It is such an intimate moment that I promise you will never forget.

The first look…

The ceremony at sunset.

Leslie actually shoots in Northern Alberta (specifically Fort McMurray), but it goes to show how easy it is to book your photographer and take them along for the trip! Congrats Raeleen & Jeremy.

{images: Leslie Brown Photography}

I knew right away I had to have this hat for the photos! I have a few pictures of my grandma and grandpa from before they were married and he was wearing a hat like this (this one was his too but I don’t think it’s the original from their photos). When our grandpa passed away my grandma gave us each one of his button up plaid shirts. I had mine hanging in the closet so I grabbed it out for this shoot and I am so glad I did. I think it adds the perfect touch to some of these photos.

Thanks Julia! Check out her blog for more Red Deer love.

{images: Julia Betemps Photography}

{images: Nicole Miller}

Coming up is a look at the spring 2011 collection from one of my favorite ‘alternative’ gown designers…Stay tuned!

{photos courtesy Special Event Rentals}

Anyways, I have loads of inspiration ready for you for these next couple weeks even though I’ll be off to Seattle for a couple days. To start off this week in a GREAT way, I’m sharing with you this fun and absolutely adorable wedding held at the eventgallery 910 Arts from Fresh In Love Photography. Everyone who knows me knows that I absolutely adore weddings in art galleries (see my wedding!). They serve as a clean slate, they’re modern and are entirely unique. Great for those who are minimalists and great for those who want to decorate their venue to their liking. Of course, it’s not the best for everyone but hopefully you’ll get a glimpse of what you can do by looking through this chic wedding!

{images courtesy Fresh In Love Photography}

The details for this wedding are endless, modern and so chic. I got a glimpse of some of the details a couple weeks ago and I must say, the reception decor is going to be a stunner. I know Steph and Ryan have put a LOT of work into making sure everything fits their theme and I hope I’ll be able to share that with you in the future. Congrats guys!

{images: Infused Studios}

Welcome Catherine & Karen! Click here to see their portfolio over at the Love List!

{images: Clockwork Wedding Productions}

Clockwork Wedding Productions is a featured member of the Love List. If you are interested in being considered for the list, please contact us for more information.

{images: mash}

Says the bride: “We chose the Skatepark because we wanted our wedding to be different and to incorporate things into the entire day that I had never seen done before. When thinking about photo locations, we wanted a non-traditional option & poses that you don’t see over and over. I drive past the Skatepark almost everyday and just thought it would be a great idea!”

My favorite part about our wedding was of course marrying Gabor, but if i had to chose a specific moment of the day it would have to be the incredible speech he gave to me in front of all of our Family and Friends. As he was speaking, I wondered if I was dreaming because normally, my Husband is not a very emotional man, and doesn’t let his feelings show. He spoke to me so eloquently that day and I will never forget that moment for as long as I live.

Love that last shot! Thanks Stephanie!

Photographer: Stephanie Cragg (Edmonton)
Gown: Maggie Sottero from Bridal Centre (Calgary)
Florist: Cattleya Chic Inc (Red Deer)
Reception Venue: Red Deer Golf & Country Club
Shoes: Benjamin Adams (London, England)
Crown Wine Stopper Favours: Wedding Star
Satin chair covers and specially made satin Pick-Up Style linens: Elegant Touches (Edmonton)
Cake: Groom’s parents
Photo Booth from the Photo Booth Co (Calgary)
Make-Up: Jasmine Hoffman (Vancouver)
“Diamond” napkin rings: Oriental Trading
Invitations: Plush Invitations (Calgary)

The beautiful bride …

I knew I wanted something different than the traditional book and fell in love with the idea when I found it on marthastewartweddings.com. I liked the vintage feel to a quilt and loved the thought of having our friends and families well wishes stitched together to have as a keepsake forever. We (and by we I mean my mom and I- I could not have done it without her!) selected 3 linen fabrics in light gray and cream, cut them into 8″by 8″ squares and had them stacked in a basket on the signing table. The small sample quilt in the pictures was pre-sewn and signed by family and friends at the rehearsal dinner. A local tailor sewed our names and wedding date (for the center square) in a simple cursive stitch following a template I provided. We also included fabric pens (finding just the right ones to write on linen actually took quite a while) and a tented sign with directions (by SocialPage Stationary here in Calgary, although you could do it yourself). This idea turned out wonderfully. Our guests took their time writing thoughtful wedding advice, inside jokes and memories. By the time we got home from our honeymoon, my grandmother had already sewn the quilt together and we loved reading the special messages together!

Another project was the photo tree featuring our favourite love quotes hanging from the branches as well as our engagement photos, although one could include pictures from throughout their relationship. After having the quotes printed on cream cardstock we simply looped ribbon and attached it to the back with double sided tape. We mounted our pictures onto the same cream cardstock and attached them with the same ribbon. Beneath the tree we also had our parents and grandparents wedding photos displayed in vintage-looking white frames I collected leading up to the wedding. Our florist provided the manzanita tree with moss bottom. This display was my favourite of the whole wedding! I loved the personal touch those photos brought. It was also so important for us to celebrate where we’d come from and the beautiful marriage examples our families provided us with. I also framed a meaningful poem I had found and sent to my husband while we were dating.

The cookie bar in place of traditional favours at each seat was a big hit! This was one of the first ideas (not my idea however, I should note) that I committed to after getting engaged. I knew it would require a lot of work, as I wanted to provide our guests with Mike and my family favourites, baked by each specific recipe we grew up with. 7 cookie selections later, this turned into the baking session of the century! We wanted to make sure every guest could try each cookie if they wished…which meant we needed about 700 cookies!! My mom and grandma, who are both amazing cooks, baked for hours and hours the week of the wedding and didnt complain once! Im surprised the oven didnt break down! My sweety grandma, up at 2 in the morning, finishing the last of a batch, just kept saying how thankful she was to be a part of it all. I felt and continue to feel so blessed and thankful for their help. Other brides could of course, seek outside help from a baker to prepare a lovely cookie bar without so much added stress the week of the wedding. Although, who doesnt love a big family baking session. We found the cookie jars and tongs quite affordably at superstore. The signage was printed by SocialPage and cut and attached with ribbon by us. We lined white paper bags with glassine bags to ensure the butter from the cookies didnt ruin our guests wedding clothes.

The thank you notes tucked into the napkin at each seat was a last minute idea I got from yet another blog, and Im so glad we committed to it. I wanted each guest, more than half of whom were from out of town, to know how truly thankful we were that they came to celebrate with us! I also wanted to let each guest know how thankful we were for the role they played in our lives and in bringing Mike and I together. I think its so special that at your wedding, you are surrounded by your absolute favourite people in the world. When else will you get to experience that! I wrote the note in different fonts and fit it into a word document sectioned into four spaces. I then printed it out onto cream cardstock, cut them out, and used a scalloped edge punch along the top of each note.

A BIG thank-you to Kristie for sharing her details with us!

Photography: Shaun and Renée Photographers
Hair & Makeup: Fli*
Bouquets & Floral Arrangements: Sarah Mayerson Design
Gown: Watters & Watters
Jewellery: Lottieda Designs
Ceremony: Bonavista Baptist Church
Reception / Catering: Sirocco Golf Club
Linens: Great Events
Cake: Whippt Desserts & Catering
Centerpiece vases: IKEA