Kari & Trent ~ 8 November 2008

The last wedding of 2008 for Wedded Bliss. The sun sets quite early at this time of year, I photographed Kari and Trent in daylight, dusk and night! It was really fun to play with such diverse lighting- the newly wed couple held their poses so that I could make longer exposures allowing the colour of the night sky to permeate our images. Our shoot ended atop the hills known as The Rise, which over looks Vernon, a special request by the bride as she was relocating to St. Louis with her new husband and wanted their pictures to reflect her old home. And so, Renee and I bid them a fine farewell and wish the best for them in their new home... Hello St. Louis!

Brittany and Joel~ 27 September 2008

I had a great time photographing Brittany and Joel's elopement. We used a funky Kelowna alley where the late afternoon sun brought out all the colours and highlights beautifully. At Wedded Bliss we wish them all the best! Cheers!

Across the Lake.

22 August 2008. Across Okanagan Lake is a gorgeous holiday spot where the bride spent many fun filled summers with her family. This is where she and her betrothed chose to share their "I do's". At the Lake's edge the groom's son proudly presented rings, in front of a modest contingent of family and friends, smiles stretched wide everywhere I looked. It's a wonderful thing to see a groom so open with his facial expressions- I can honestly say, that while I've seen many a VERY happy couple, I can't say that I've ever seen a groom more happy with his choice in bride. Thank you very much to Jen and Mike for sharing their wedding day with Wedded Bliss.

A Country Wedding!

The 3rd of August greeted Anita and Todd with bright sunshine! Since the wedding took place on properties very close to the couple's hearts, there wasn't much need to travel too far out of the way for photos. The ceremony overlooked Shuswap Lake, where the bride grew up. A modest reception, a short drive away, nestled in next to the river where the groom spent many a summer tubing. Home made perogies (the groom pinched!) and the bride revealed a talent for baking and cake decorating! Renee and I wish them all the best and a huge THANKS for having us along!

To Russia With Love

I can't believe July flew by and here we are in August. For those of you that don't know that I have been away, I have to apologize for my absence here on the blog. I have been on assignment in Russia. It was an incredible opportunity to not only see how other cultures celebrate marriage and weddings but to get some incredible images in some incredible locations. The city of St. Petersburg is rich with history and it is an amazing back drop for weddings. As I get organized and over the jet lag, I will add more images to the website, but here are a few. Enjoy!

An Old Room Mate Finds Love

Engagement photo sessions are fun no matter who it is. When it's an old room mate; it's even better! You know secrets you shouldn't and you remember those late night conversations where they wondered if they'd ever meet the person who just "gets them". Then comes the phone call or email that states they've found that someone and they can't imagine living their life without them. Well that is what happened to my dear friend Todd. He fell in love with a wonderful woman named Anita and here it is, a month and a half away from their Wedding. I couldn't be happier for them and based on the surrounding country side (Shuswap Lake and wheat fields in Mara) it is going to be one incredibly beautiful wedding to photograph.

The Vernon Bay Lends a Helping Hand to Local Charities

On a Friday night, when most business owners are exhausted from a long week, Wedded Bliss and a number of other local businesses had the honour of coming together for an event to raise money for the Vernon Food Bank, Hospice House and the Vernon Search and Rescue. The Bay brought all of these local businesses under their roof and with each of us having our own displays, it gave us a chance to not only network amongst each other but meet lovely shoppers out looking for a sale or to lend their bid to the silent auction. Each of us donated a prize package and by the end of the night over $500 had been raised. It was a great event and we (Renee and Kate) look forward to more great events such as this. Congratulations to William Sokol for winning the FREE portrait session we gave away by entering at our booth. Thanks to Cory Bialecki of the Morning Star Newspaper for the great photos!

Car Shows and Chocolate-A Happy Day for Dad

Happy Father's Day Dads. I can't leave you out. Not only in fairness to the fact I posted on Mother's Day but too often you are over looked. It's always "Hi Mom" from athletes about to go onto to the field, or "I love Mom" tattoos. You need just as many accolades and love for all the love and support you give us along the way.So Dad. Here's to you! I'm sure you wish every day was a car show and every day you got candy as the token of our love.

First Wedding of the Summer Season-May 10, 2008

The first wedding of the summer season is always exciting. It marks the start of the busiest season in Wedding Photography (usually June to September) and this wedding was particularly fun and meaningful. My brother's best friend, and our neighbor growing up, was tying the knot. I was thrilled and honored that they asked me to photograph. This wasn't without a little trepidation however-I didn't want to disappoint long time friends. It was fun however, to "boss" around my kid brother and the groom. You get to do that when they tortured you growing up :) Set above beautiful Okanagan Lake at Okanagan College, Adam & Sara had a beautiful day and location.

Congratulations Adam and Sara! It was an absolute honor to photograph your special day. You deserve all the happiness in the world.

Best Friends

Where in the world would we be without best friends? I have been blessed with a number of incredible girlfriends. All who blazed the trail before me in terms of marriage and children. They have been my role models and confidants. I marvel at all of them. Working moms, stay at home moms...they are all super women in my eyes. I got to babysit a few weeks ago for one of my best friends. We have been best friends ever since we meet in elementary school! We've seen each other through the highs and lows and I wanted to give her some surprise portraits of her daughter Stella Marie. Like all children she delights in the small things. Looking at a flower, running down a hill, making up a song. If only our days consisted of such beauty.

Mother's Day 2008

Well, here it is Day 2 of my Blog. For the past three years I have been working internationally and so much has changed in the way we communicate. Who would have ever thought I would post my private and personal thoughts on a website and people would come to read them! Wild. Hopefully as I progress I will have something of actual real importance to say ;)

Since I just created this blog, some of my postings will be going back a little in time, until I get caught up; but because of their significance I wanted to make sure they made it on here.

This little man is the reason I am actually thinking about taking that big step and becoming a mom. When you get married later in life, like my husband and I, you get pretty set in your ways. You love your couple rituals (being able to stay up as late as like or sleeping in really late-it frightens me when all my friends who are parents think 9:00 am is late!) and so to think about bringing a little one into your lives is a really big, daunting thought. BUT, my nephew Nicholas Andrew makes us really think long and hard about that big decision. He is such a precious angel (although I'm sure his mom doesn't think so at 2:00 am when he's not sleeping!) and I love seeing the world through his eyes. Everything is such an adventure. We don't get to see him nearly enough (he lives in Abbotsford) but when we do we are amazed at how quickly he is changing and growing. He is almost 2 years old and is quickly becoming a little boy. The orchard we photographed him in was supposed to be blooming (the blossoms came late this year year) but we were blown away by all the beautiful color anyway.

August 18, 2007-A Little Girl's Dream Wedding

It's hard to believe it's been almost 10 months since my husband and I got married! Having photographed countless weddings I know how emotional a wedding is. What I wasn't prepared for was how intense all the feelings were. It's amazing how the simple words "I Do" change everything! The love only deepens and grows...and I love seeing a ring on his finger. So sexy :)
Even now as I gaze at the images that my incredible associates Kate Mahaits and Kurt Spence captured, I giggle and glow. I found the love of my life and we got to share our joy with our incredible families and friends.
Growing up where my husband and I got married made it all the more powerful (thanks mom and dad!) and yet even the vision I had for our day; as a little girl, paled in the emotions of the day. It was bigger than life and my only regret is that we can't go back and do it all again! It was some party.