Friday, July 29th, 2011
this was my third potentially rainy day wedding of the season and i did my best to fight it. i thought sunny thoughts. i wore shorts the day before. i dreamt sunny dreams. but alas, when i awoke, it was not sunny. not even close. so on went my rain boots once again.
but do you think the rain put a damper on any spirits this day? not a single one. they were so excited about being married. so excited. it could have been snow and i don’t think they would have batted an eye. and the bridal party was amazing – we trudged around with umbrellas and they never once complained. and just as we had lost all hope for that bright shiny ball in space, the sky opened up and he shone down.
these two were brilliant walking down the aisle, but very shy when it came to picture time. still cute, though. still cute.
and like that, their friends and family dined under clear skies as the sun set over this country town. wishing you the best of this life, ryan & leandra!
Tags: abbotsford wedding photographer, bride getting ready, discovery trail, lower mainland photographer
Posted in weddings 4 Comments »
Sunday, July 17th, 2011
so i’m starting to realize i’m a gusher. i never thought i was someone who would go on and on about a cute baby or much of anything for that matter, but here i am. a gusher. hanging out with these two confirmed it. thankfully, i had my lovely friend gemma along assisting me, so every five minutes i could turn around and whisper “do you believe how cute this is?” or “oh my word. could this get any better?”. so i guess i’m just going to have to embrace it. and i have a feeling i might convert you into one after you see these pictures. go ahead. gush away.
josh happens to be a musician (if you haven’t clued into that yet) and has some beautiful music available here. i may have been lucky enough to have him play at my birthday party this year, so i also know from experience that he sounds great live. go here to book a show or see where he’s playing.
one last note: this is my assistant gemma. she is pretty. and a lifesaver. and a good light testing subject.
Tags: abbotsford engagement pictures, abbotsford wedding photographer, american gothic remake, serenade, vancouver wedding photographer
Posted in engagement pictures 7 Comments »
Friday, July 15th, 2011
there’s something about seeing love, like really seeing love. it’s big and small and quiet and loud all at the same time. there’s a peaceful tension, which doesn’t seem to make sense but somehow it just fits. pretty amazing. and i get to witness it. especially on days like this.
this little chapel was amazing. you know how people usually rush out of the church at the end of the ceremony to get pictures outside? well, we waited anxiously for everyone to leave so we could go back in.
these two are climbers, so someone came up with a last minute idea to keep the rings from getting lost in the hands of two precocious little boys…
and like that, they were off. another new life begins.
Tags: 1886 methodist church, abbotsford wedding photographer, bc, chilliwack wedding photographer, greendale, orange gerber daisy bouquets, vedder canal, white album wedding chapel, white bridge, white steeple
Posted in weddings 3 Comments »
Tuesday, July 5th, 2011
after two rainy days, i was ready for some sun. and God obliged. though i’m pretty sure it was for jody and jim and not me. i’m okay with that.
we were trying to get his attention and he was clearly distracted. who else would miss that sweet pose his wife is throwing out?!
thanks for inviting me to be a part of your wedding day. you two are blessed with so much family and wonderful friends. a great way to start a life together.
Tags: abbotsford wedding photographer, cathy hardy, kevin boese, mill lake park, pink wedding
Posted in weddings 3 Comments »
Tuesday, July 5th, 2011
i know darla’s been holding her breath for the rest of the pictures, so i won’t leave her in suspense any longer. i had such a hard time narrowing down what to share because there were so many lovely details. they had a whole team of little elves working behind the scenes too numerous to mention, though i know darla is thankful for every stitch sewn, balloon blown and bag filled. her vision was simple and grand all at the same time, incorporating her love for all things bird (did i mention their last name is sparrow?) and vintage. from the little embellishments for friends to use to make their guestbook entry unique to the massive handmade chandelier hanging above the dance floor, nothing was overlooked. and franklyn’s beaut of a car (a 1949 plymouth special, if you were wondering) was the cherry on top…of darla’s “make your own sundae” bar complete with fresh waffle bowls. i could go on. but you just want to see pictures, right?
well that about wraps this baby up…if you didn’t get a look at “part one” (getting ready and the ceremony), take a minute. it will be well worth your time. and here is a list of all the amazing vendors who helped add to this gorgeous day:
Darla’s Dress: Action Liquidators altered by seamstress & added to by Darla / Bolero: Bonzie
Groom’s suit jacket & vest by : Modernize Tailor / shoes: Fluevoggs
Earrings: Autumn Equinox
Feather head piece for bride and bridesmaids, chains on bride’s shoulders & men’s feather corsages: Darla (check out her etsy shop!)
Cake: Darla’s dear friend Colleen Currie-Tompke / Cake Topper: Dear Jes (great price and fast shipping!)
Flowers: Janel Sweeny did them with flowers from her parents garden
Food: Formaggio Fine Foods / Ice cream: Birchwood Dairy / Waffle bowls: Billy’s Delight Ice Cream Parlor
And everything else was a local thrift store find or made by dedicated friends and family.
Tags: abbotsford wedding photographer, autumn equinox, backyard reception, birchwood dairy, dear jes, diy wedding, fabric flags, formaggio foods, john fluevogs, matsqui village, modernize tailors, string orbs, train tracks, twinkle lights, vancouver wedding photographer
Posted in event photography, weddings 7 Comments »
Sunday, July 3rd, 2011
i love darla and dave. i love how they love each other. i love how they love their friends and their family. i love their creativity and how they celebrate life. i loved so much about their wedding day.
oh yeah. and did i mention phoenix? i love how dave and darla love him.
isn’t darla’s dress amazing? the story of the red fabric is so sweet…dave brought it back from india several years ago and asked his mom to keep it for the girl he would marry, having never even met darla. years later, they knocked on his parents’ door in the wee hours of the morning to announce their engagement and his mom brought it out for her. she had it sewn into a dress that she bought off the rack and it became the theme color for their wedding day.
the other thing that was so wonderful about this day was that their guests were just lovely. i felt a bit like a stalker taking pictures of them from afar, but i couldn’t help it.
and the rest will be reserved for another day! stay tuned for their beautiful “do it yourself” backyard party (and a detailed vendor list).
Tags: 1949 Plymouth Special, abbotsford wedding photographer, bride getting ready, diy wedding, fabric flags, matsqui regional park, matsqui village, outdoor wedding, rainy day wedding, vancouver wedding photographer, vintage bikes
Posted in weddings 6 Comments »
Wednesday, June 29th, 2011
i knew from this couple’s engagement session that they were in love. yes, they’re young and yes, they’ve got a lot of change coming in the year ahead, but i really admire their readiness to commit to one another. for life. i think there are a lot of people out there who could learn from these two!
their ceremony was simple and beautiful, involving their family and closest friends. it was an emotional tribute to where they’ve been and where they hope to go. and there were so many sweet details (including personalized m&ms) to top off what was a very. lovely. day.
and possibly my favorite shot of the day…
Venues: Clayburn Church & Old Clayburn School
Flowers: Willow Designs
Bride’s Gown from Image in White Wedding Gallery
Mens’ Tuxedos: Moore’s
Cake: Icing on the Cake
Tags: abbotsford wedding photographer, bride getting ready, candy store, clayburn village, first look, fraser valley wedding photographer, groom getting ready, Icing on the Cake, Image in White Wedding Gallery, jon and latisha dawson, Moore's clothing for men, mustang, old clayburn church, old clayburn schoolhouse, people's jewelers, pink flowers, rainy day wedding, tea house, Willow Designs
Posted in weddings 6 Comments »
Tuesday, May 3rd, 2011
sorry for the monstrous post, i just didn’t want to leave out any of the beautiful little details! laura did such a great job planning everything from edmonton whether it was the tulips or the vintage glass or the beakers full of wildflower seeds (genius) and her amazing family helped execute her vision from here. she even had a “make your own candy bag” section at the reception dedicated to shawn’s sweet tooth.
thankfully this wasn’t how the actual proposal turned out…
bless you, shawn & laura! loved being a part of your day.
Tags: abbotsford wedding photographer, the rancho abbotsford
Posted in weddings 7 Comments »
Monday, May 2nd, 2011
i was going to try and squeeze this whole wedding into one post, but then i realized that would be a serious injustice especially seeing how gorgeous this day was.
when we started the day, laura made it clear that she didn’t want to be “that boring wedding sharalee shot on the easter weekend”. it kind of became the running joke as they couldn’t find the paperwork during the ceremony (“that illegal wedding sharalee shot on the easter weekend”) to missing family members during group pictures (“the time the in-laws got lost during that wedding sharalee shot on the easter weekend”)…you get the picture.
this day was anything but boring. the family was lively, the bridal party was hot, the details were fun and the weather. was. amazing.
we were so blessed to be able to use the grounds of venema pottery for most of the pictures. they have an amazing studio and a beautiful yard…you should really check it out for yourselves. the groom was anxiously awaiting his lady’s arrival…
(the flowers are all by “ferns and flowers” – she’s amazing!)
i will leave you with that for this evening and will be back soon with more – you won’t want to miss it!
Tags: abbotsford wedding photographer, harris road abbotsford, laura van dyke shawn sederberg wedding, venema pottery
Posted in weddings 7 Comments »
Wednesday, April 27th, 2011
the cherry blossoms. a clear and beautiful indication that a new season is upon us. we could call this couple “engaged”, but that’s kind of boring. let’s say they’re in the blossom stage.
Tags: abbotsford city hall, abbotsford portrait photographer, abbotsford wedding photographer, cherry blossoms, library
Posted in engagement pictures 4 Comments »