Tips For Your Wedding

We can’t resist a truly glam wedding, and this couple radiated elegance. If you’ve been dreaming of throwing the perfect posh event, take a peak at Courtney and Steven’s wedding.  A glamorous wedding is all about creating an atmosphere of elegance, luxury, and sophistication and this wedding is the perfect inspo.

Graceful While Getting Ready

The location you choose to get ready in sets the mood for the whole day! We are lucky here in Vancouver to have some awesome locations to choose from for your wedding preparation. Courtney chose the JW Marriott Parq Vancouver for her wedding morning. This location has some great advantages we really enjoy for photographing our Vancouver brides. You’ll want to choose a location with good lighting, as this will help ensure that hair and makeup looks good and photographs well. The Parq has floor to ceiling windows that provide ample natural light, and we love the clean look of window lighting on a fresh face of a bride. 

You will also want to consider the overall ambiance of the location. Look for a space that is calming, relaxing, and conducive to a positive and enjoyable experience. Having a clean and tidy space free from clutter helps your photographers work efficiently as well as helping you ward off the day-of jitters. You’ll also want to make sure there is enough space to accommodate you and your bridal party, as well as hair and makeup artists, photographers, and other vendors. Most importantly remember to take a moment to relax, breathe, and enjoy this special time with your loved ones. It's easy to get caught up in the details of the day, but the getting ready portion is a time to savor and cherish.

Luxury From Head to Toe

Courtney chose a beautiful pink jeweled shoe from renowned designer Rene Caovilla to walk down the aisle. We love the intricate detailing of these shoes, with the crystal-embellished bow and straps. Luxury footwear can be a splurge but, bridal shoes of this caliber are made from high-quality materials (this particular pair was handcrafted in Italy), and attention is paid to every detail of their construction. High-quality bridal shoes are designed with comfort in mind, providing enough support and cushioning to keep you comfortable throughout the day well into your reception dance floor. Another plus of indulging in an expensive shoe is that designer shoes are crafted with care and precision, ensuring that they will last long after the wedding day is over. This means that luxury bridal shoes can serve as a cherished keepsake from your wedding day and you can even save them and pass them down to future generations as an heirloom. 

Consider Color

Different colors can create different moods and atmospheres. Soft pastel shades can create a romantic, dreamy atmosphere, while bold, bright colors can create a more energetic and festive atmosphere. For your big day, you will want to think about the mood and atmosphere you want to create for your wedding and choose colors accordingly.

For her wedding Courtney choose an almost monochromatic palette of soft whites and creams with tasteful touches of gold and blush pink. These tones flattered her skin tone and complement both her’s and the groom’s attire. These colors also work well with the location of the wedding, an important factor to keep in mind. We love the neutral tones of this wedding and we find that understated colors can be some of the most elegant. These neutral tones allow the form and shape of your decor and floral arrangements to shine through, and this can elevate the overall design of your event. 

Whatever pallet you choose you’ll want to make sure they reflect your personal style and preferences, as well as those of your fiance. We recommend avoiding trendy colors that may date your wedding photos in years to come. Instead, we recommend classy and timeless color combinations.

Timeless Traditions

Steven and Courtney tied the knot in a Catholic ceremony in Vancouver’s St Francis of Assisi. There is something so special about a wedding ceremony that is deeply meaningful and resonate to the culture of the bride and groom. Churches are often architecturally stunning, with soaring ceilings, stained glass windows, and ornate details that create a beautiful backdrop for your wedding ceremony. We also love the emphasis placed on community. For those who value tradition, symbolism and a feeling a part of a community, a church wedding can be a beautiful and meaningful way to start your life together.

Your cultural traditions may be different, but think about how you can incorporate them and deepen your sense of community as you make you vows.

An Air of Elegance

This couple went all out for wedding transportation, choosing to take a helicopter ride to their reception venue. We think it’s such a fun idea for the couple to treat themselves to at least one true extravagance on their day. Beside feeling ultimately luxurious, extravagant transportation is a unique and adventurous experience that you and your partner can share together. A wedding is all about making memories, and what could be more memorable than taking in Vancouver’s spectacular scenery of mountains, ocean and skyline from the air. We also swoon at the romantic element of a helicopter ride. What a good opportunity to to cuddle up together and enjoy the scenery from above. 

If your not quite so adventurous, there are some other great and glam options for transportation between venues. For a romantic and fairy tale-like mode of transportation, a horse and carriage is a great option. For a touch of nostalgia, a vintage car can make a statement and add a unique element to your wedding day. If you have a large group and want to keep the party (and the alcohol) flowing between events you might consider a classic party bus.

Fun at the Photoshoot

As photographers, our favorite part of the wedding day is the photoshoot, of course. Here in Vancouver, we have some spectacular nature, as well as some great city photoshoot options as well! Your wedding photos are the only part of your wedding that isn’t eaten or thrown away at the end of the day, so it is always worthwhile to schedule enough time to allow your photography and videography team to make something beautiful. Carefully consider what location you would like to shoot in (your photographer can help of course) keeping in mind your personality as a couple, what locations might be meaningful to you, and the time of day.

If you're planning on taking photos in a public location, make sure you check for any permits or fees that may be required. Vancouver is famously rainy, so you might need an indoor location or backup. This is especially true if you are planning a wedding in the fall or spring. If you're considering an indoor location, check and see what the rental fees and time limitations are. 

Steven and Courtney chose a mix of locations that have special significance to them, and these locations also provided the right backdrop of colors and textures to make some stunning portraits. They choose to shoot in multiple locations, both to enhance the variety of photos in their album as well as to capture all of the gorgeousness of the day.

Many couples are intimidated by the photoshoot, but we want you to think of it as your chance to get away and experience an intimate moment with your partner. It’s also your chance to truly embrace the glamour of the day, and show off how great you look in your carefully chosen wedding couture. An experienced photographer (like ourselves) will guide you through the shoot in a way that makes you feel comfortable and allows the love you and your partner have to shine through. We’re experts and making you look your best, so feel free to relax and let us worry about capturing you in the most flattering and glamorous way possible. Most of all, don’t forget to have fun and be playful during this part of the day! 

Pick the Perfect Venue

There is so much to say about choosing the right venue for your reception. Your reception venue can be one of the most remembered aspects of your wedding for guests. But, it can be difficult to know where to start when it comes to finding the perfect location! You’ll want to think about the number of guests, your budget, style, and location. 

Swaneset Bay Resort & Country Club, the setting of Courtney and Steven’s reception, is one of our most popular and preferred locations. We enjoy the fairytale feel of this venue, with its grand staircases and large ballroom with absolutely gorgeous windows overlooking the lush greenery. Though this venue was built in 1994, it has a timeless and almost historic look that suits a refined event. The overall look of a reception venue has a huge influence on the feel and aesthetic of your wedding, and we think Swaneset really nails a feeling of sophistication. Its proximity to Pitt Lake and the coastal mountains makes it convenient for some awesome and iconic wedding photos.

This wedding was quite large, so a grand ballroom that can seat up to 350 reception guests was a good fit. You’ll want to make sure there is enough space for your guests to mingle, as well as leaving space for a comfortable dance floor. 

Swaneset offers both plated and buffet-style dinners, and there are pros and cons to each. For a plated dinner, Guests are served at their table, ensuring that everyone receives the same amount of food and is served efficiently. The presentation of plated dinners can be more elegant and refined than buffets, big plus if you are trying to bring a feeling of luxury to your event. But, Plated dinners typically take longer to serve and eat, which can impact the flow of the evening. Buffets can create a more relaxed and casual atmosphere, and be more accommodating to a large number of guests. Be aware that food presentation may not be as refined as with plated dinners. 

Sneak Out at Sunset

Its not a secret at this point that photographers love golden hour and sunset photography. The soft golden light of the sunset can create a stunning and dramatic backdrop, and the warm colors of the sky can add a beautiful and natural touch to your photos, creating a romantic and dreamy atmosphere. It's a great opportunity to take a step back from the festivities and enjoy a quiet moment together, while also capturing beautiful photos to remember the moment. Sunset photos offer a unique perspective that can't be captured at any other time of day. The warm and glowing light can highlight different angles and textures, creating a unique and visually interesting photo. These photos have a strong visual impact and really add to a feeling of opulence in a wedding album. To make the most of your sunset shoot you’ll want to plan carefully. The shoot may have to be during cocktail hour, or after dinner, depending on the time of year. Work with your photographer and wedding planner to determine the best time in your schedule to capture these moments.

Dance the Night Away

What’s a wedding without an epic dance party? This is the part of your night that the guests are most likely looking forward to, and your chance to show off both your moves and your party-planning skills. We adored how carefree and spirited Steven and Courney’s guests were on the dance floor. Dancing photos can make for some enjoyable memories of guests, so its really worth it to invest time and effort into fostering the right party environment. 

Also, surprisingly, a good dance party is also an important part of an upbeat and energetic wedding video, another reason it’s so important to make sure to create an atmosphere that inspires you and your guests to keep the energy up. 

As always, good lighting can really set the mood for a great dance party. Consider using colored lights to create a fun atmosphere. Great music is obviously essential, but also consider having music playing during cocktail hour or dinner to get people in the mood to dance. For this you’ll likely want an experience DJ or band. Look for someone who can read the crowd to keep the vibe. Finally, don’t forget to join in the fun. It’s important for the bride and groom to lead by example and get out on the dance floor and party with your guests. 

Happy wedding planning! <3

Wedding Planner:

https://www.styledsocial.ca/

Decor:

https://www.mvdecor.ca/

Dj:

http://2scoopsproductions.com/

Floral:

http://www.talaflorist.com/

Makeup Artist:

https://www.instagram.com/commonart_/?hl=en

Wedding Dress:

https://powderbride.com/

Wedding Venue:

https://www.swanesetevents.com/