There ceremony was held on a gorgeus property where white balloons danced along the aisle as the couple said their vows.  Photos that followed were captured on Dr. Zen’s fabulous farm property cleverly titled “Tooth Acres” (He is a dentist)    The bridal party, my brother Michael and I had a blast climbing hay bails, playing with baby chickens and walking the lush green grass fields that welcomed us to a grand reception under big shady trees.

From there we travelled a few minutes to Farmer Bills property where the Thompsons were having a family reunion.  As we ran down the hill to snap a few photos on their amazing tire swing that sways gently from a big oak tree,  I had to admit I was feeling a high.    What a beautiful place Macoy Lake is!  In my recent travels to Norway, it struck me just how beautiful Port Alberni can really be and how much it stands out.   It looks very much like some of the farm land in Norway.  Simply phenomenal.

To celebrate the reception, we were treated to a wonderful dinner at Cherry Creek Golf Course followed by amazing toasts, speeches and dancing.  Thank you to Mallory and Kyle for having Michael and I celebrate your day.  I hope the photos serve as illustration to your incredible wedding day.  XO Lisa

Special thanks to:

Miss Carly Flint for her fabulous Make-up artistry

Sarah Williams from Adorn Atelier for Mallory’s Hair accessory.

Miranda at Quality Foods for her stunning floral bouquets

Dr. Zens for use of his farm Tooth Acres

Famer Bill and Daughters Kasha and Kryssie for use of the tire swing on your property

Cherry Creek Golf Course for the amazing reception and dinner.

Simple. Graeeful and Elegent.  Mallory was the picture of perfection.

Her girls, her best-friends.  Looking effortlessly exceptional.

Gorgeous hand made quilt and cute signs can be purchased at GT Antiques in Port Alberni.   A special thank you to Sarah for helping us out on with these adorable props.

Photo below is by my brother Michael.  I have to admit, he won Best Photo here….sometimes its as simply as a change in perspective.

Baby chick!  How can you resit such cuteness?

Most likey one of my personal best in group wedding photos.   I could not ask for a more out-going, willing to climb anything to get the shot wedding party.  You all rock and this photo proves that!

Sometimes it’s all in the simplicity of the details.  Mallory played up mason jars and country charm in her decor.  Complete with hen and chicks as a guest gift.  Now how fitting was that?

Shea and Paul, thank you so much for having Michael and I photograph your amazing wedding.   We had a blast with your family and friends and will always smile in remembrance of dead panda and the creep!  We are so happy for both of you.  XO Lisa

Wedding was held at Sun Lotus Guest House in Duncan BC.

Special thanks to Shea’s Aunt for all her hard work in gathering the antiques and helping Shea’s wedding vision come to life.

And although she was not there in person a shout out to Miss Carly Flint for her make-up lesson she gave to both Shea and her mom before the wedding day.

Whimsical details at Sun Lotus….dragon flies and stuff fish.

I love the pure joy here expressed on Shea’s face as she gets into her dress.

Shea’s brothers escorted her down the aisle.

I love the two photos my brother got of Shea and Paul.  I just adore the authenticity in their faces as they say their vows to one another.

Both Shea and Paul’s vows included believing in the existence of sasquatches, and extended ones love an affection toward our feline friends.   Pretty much the most unique vows I have ever heard!  Funny, and full of love.

Married…….

Dead Panda!  When I asked the girls to look “dead pan” into the camera, my brother gave me a look of confusion and said, “What? you want them to look dead panda?”  So I replied, “yes, dead panda.”  From there this took off and now is the way of the future in terms of photography techniques!   Officially coined by my brother and confirmed and love by Shea, Paul and friends.   You heard it here first people!  DEAD PAN(DA)

So gorgeous!

The Creeper walk….also a new way of getting into the grove of group photos!

Shea reminded me of a royalty from the 16th century.    She was the quintessence of timeless perfection with a blush pink glow.

Rowing out the island….super gorgeous.

Amazing photobooth that Shea came up with.  Vintages photo frames and photos of both Shea and Paul’s grandparents on their wedding day.  How cool is that!

All the details.  Including vintage plates collected by her Aunt from Antique stores.  Felt hearts, colourful paper hearts and birds, animal masks from ETSY and completed with wild flowers, pine cones, and tea cups.

When Paul proposed to Shea, her best friend presented her the ring dressed in a tiger suite.  At the wedding she re-inacted the unique proposal.  It was so cute and super funny.

Each table had a different table cloth.  Each place setting had a unique plate settings and clip on earrings to highlight the napkins and weigh down the table cloth.  Sprigs of lavender added a sweet touch and completed the overall look.

A close friend serenaded the couple with two amazing songs.

The dinner of barbecue salmon and the most colourful salads I have ever seen, filled our bellies. 

Homemade jam and Hot sasquatch sauce was given as gifts to guests.  I have to admit it was the best jam I ever had!

Paul loves cats as much as I do, so it made my day that the mascot kitty of Sun Lotus guesthouse became apart of the photo.

When Sarah was getting in her gown she was laughing with excitement, her mom sisters and best-friend joined in her happiness and her dad sat in awe of his little girl who was ‘all grown up.’     It was quit the moment and I felt honoured to be a witness.    When she was ready she went to see Will for their first site meeting.   Pure joy and a few tears were shed, but mostly these two could not keep their eyes off one another.

After formal photos (or as I like to call them…pure fabulousness and fun photos) we headed back to Sarah’s parents property for the ceremony.   Immediately to follow were cocktails, appetizers and a wonderful dinner put on by Dave’s Catering.   It was a country inspired, mason jar loving, purple colored, warm, loving, and full of laughter wedding.  It was perfect.

Sarah and Will, you are both truly amazing.  Thank you for having Michael and I be apart of your wedding.  You will always be extra special to me as you both are my first published couple in a wedding magazine.  Cheers to both of you.  Xo Lisa

Sarah had her grandmother’s veil re-worked for a gorgeous hair piece…..I hope this inspires others.

Miss Carly Flint rocking her magic.  Making brides effortlessly gorgeous on their wedding day.
Man shots…

Sarah and Will saw each-other before the wedding, and to make it extra special their “first site” was done in the privacy of trees and a custom swing built by Sarah’s father…..just for her wedding.

From there we travelled to Jack’s Fishing lodge for some fun and fabulous bridal party photographs, completed with Sarah and Wills formals.    I have to thank Donna for her permission to use the gorgeous property.

Decorations by fantastic events in Port Alberni.

Photos at Sunset…..pure bliss.

Often times I have these “crazy ideas” and “visions” about my couples and as I get to know them they wake me up at 5:00 am or enter my mind when I am starring into the sunset….or doing something mundane like feeding my cat Miss Lulu Belle.    This is one of those visions that came to flourishion and ended up being better then I could have imagined.

Hair and make up done by Nadia Albano completed this modern Audrey inspired vision that also went effortlessly with the 1950’s chiffon blush pink gown.    The pink gown was purchased by myself at Sarah Williams antiques store in Port Alberni BC.  GT Antiques is simply the place of inspiration and household treasures.    The pearls were borrowed from Allison’s mom and my own mom be-jewelelwd the cigarette holder.

I also must pay homage to one of my other favourite cult classics Sixteen Candles where my other favourite Hollywood star Miss Molly Ringwald captured my attention for many years.  Sixteen Candles, pretty in pink and the breakfast club were phenomenal examples of 1980’s culture, love, and the importance of the perfect boy crush.   The last photo was co-created by Allison, Justin and myself.     I was the moment where Molly (Allison) kisses Jake Ryan (Justin) for the first time.  Seriously, can you get any cuter!!!

Finally Justin was amazing and both him and Allison and so in love, fun to work with and overall fanatic warm people.   I can’t wait for their wedding in September.

Despite the price, it’s not difficult to see why Oslo and Norway is a fabulous place to be.  The way of life is laidback, the grass and trees are brilliant green, lush and well manicured.  People love to eat and hang out at outside Cafes that are perfect locations for people watching.  There is a lot of art, sculpture, a mix of old and new, immaculate gardens and so many natural blondes.   Its pretty fantastic.  Today Matt and I headed North to Roros, almost in the middle of Norway.  Surrounded by farm land, historic houses and buildings, sheep, cows, old churches and sunlight that lasts past 10:30 pm.   The wedding of Ally and Nina is this Satruday, but tommorow we and some guest get to be treated to a welcome dinner of traditional Norweigian cuisine.  I will adopt the when in Rome attitude and try everything…..oh and I will take some photos.

Here are a few photographs I snapped yesterday.  Forgive me as I am not a landscape photographer. Hope it gives you a glimpse into Oslo.    Talk soon, Lisa

I am preparing this blog post as I sit on BC Ferries (yeah for wireless internet for free).   My brother Michael and have just photographed two more amazing weddings and I can’t wait to share them with all of you.   I want to thank Mallory and Kyle for their beautiful wedding in Port Alberni this past Saturday.  Michael and I had a fabulous time hanging out with all of you.  A few words to describe the wedding of Mal and Kyle would be (balloons, blue sky, country, warmth, love and baby chicks).  Trust me when I say, your going to love this wedding.

Secondly, I want to express the most gracious thanks to Jeff and Irene as their wedding was equally spectacular.  Taking place at Brentwood Bay in Victoria it was a colouful day full of love, laughter and an extremely in love couple.   A few words for their wedding would be, tiffany blue, ocean, tea, cool breeze, cupcakes and arbutus trees.

Finally, I am about to begin my journey to Norway to photograph the wedding of Nina and Ally this coming weekend.  I am so very excited and running on a higher then normal state of energy.    Basically I have not been home for a week, photographed two weddings and I am looking forward to my 14 hour filght to Scandinavia. Should be an awesome journey.  The wedding, the travelling and discovering my Norwegian heritage.   My great great grandmother came over on a ship from Norway and so it is very meaningful to me.

My final final words are not words at all…..they are photographs of my muse and favorite makeup artist Miss Carly Flint.  We wanted to do a Mad Men insipred photoshoot and found the perfect clothes at Sarah Williams fabulous store in Port Alberni GT Antiques.  I have to give a hugh shout out to Sarah for all her continued support.  Each and everytime I visit her store I find amazing treasures that send my mind into extreme imagination.

Bonus Glimpse…..

Justin and Allison’s Breakfast at Tiffany’s and 16 Candles inspired engagement shoot.

Rockabilly wedding in Vancouver with Aaron and Jay

Vintage Glam in Duncan with Shea and Paul

The photos were taking in Victoria before the ceremony where I can truly say hurricane like winds blew Racheal’s dress into magical billowy loveliness.    Instead of panic Racheal worked her gorgeous raw silk gown complete with pockets and made my life as a photographer pure magic.    JJ melted when he saw her for the first time and spent the remainder of the day holding her hand and looking at her with complete adoration and love.

Their reception was held at Merridale Cidery in Cobble Hill, just outside of Victoria B.C.    It is an amazing place to have a wedding and the staff were phenomenal.  Not to mention they have the yummiest cider ever!  Mike and I bought a few bottles that we shared with our family and friends the following evening.

Racheal and JJ you both are wonderful.  I loved your wedding and all of the details.  Your wedding party was equally awesome and you are blessed to have such amazing family and fiends in your lives.   Thank you for having us be apart of your wonderful and memorable wedding.  XO Lisa

Miss Carly Flint working her magic!

A young Andie Macdowell?  Does anyone else see this?