Union Photographers

See feature photo above.

“The photo is of our lovely bride, Becky and her dad having a ball during their dance together. I loved watching them having so much together. It was an amazing moment.”
- Holly Truchan, Union Photographers

Read Holly’s Vancity Vendor profile here.

Jennifer Kirk Photography

“I love this image because of the story I was told after the dance. It’s obviously a lovely moment between mother and son but at the time I didn’t realize the significance. After the song was over, I took my camera to Mom and showed her this image… they had treated me like family all day and I was happy to show her a pretty photo with her son… moms really like that!  Her eyes welled up with tears and she told me that the song they had danced to had been his dad’s favourite, and that it was played at his funeral some years ago. She took my hand and with tears rolling down her cheeks and thanked me for freezing that moment for her to remember forever. I’ll never forget it.”
- Jennifer Kirk, Jennifer Kirk Photography

Read Jennifer’s Vancity Vendor profile here.

Three Sixty Photography

“It is of a father of the bride walking his daughter down the aisle.  You can see the love and how much he loves his daughter as he is ready to hand her off to her husband to be.  This photo really strikes me for the emotion, I hope it may resonate with you too.”
- Justin Lam, Three Sixty Photography

Read Justin’s Vancity Vendor profile here.

Vivid Moments Photography

“It’s one of my favorite images because it’s something we can all relate to. It’s the story of someone who has come out of hiding, who in this very moment has allowed herself to be vulnerable and express a part of who she is to the rest of the world.”
- Raymond Chou, Vivid Moments Photography

Read Raymond’s Vancity Vendor profile here.

Carolyn Egerszegi Photography

“I love this photo because couples often forget to slow down and enjoy their wedding celebration. This bride took the time to stop and blow bubbles with her adorable nephew right in the middle of dinner which told me she was truly savouring the day. I wish every couple would plan their wedding day to allow for spontaneous moments like this.”
- Carolyn Egerszegi, Carolyn Egerszegi Photography

Read Carolyn’s Vancity Vendor profile here.

All photos were provided by each photographer.

So how do you enter? Simply submit a photo of you and your partner to this Facebook contest page by 11:59pm PST on Thursday, May 31, 2012. Don’t forget to caption the photo by answering: “What do you love about your partner?” The photo with the most votes wins so share it with your friends and family to help out! They can vote once a day from 8:00am PST on Friday, June 1, 2012 until the contest closes on Friday, June 15, 2012 at 11:59pm.

The couple that gets the most votes receives either…

• 6 hours of Wedding Photography with 1 Photographer and an online gallery (estimated value $2,000)

OR

• 12 hours of Wedding Videography with 1 Videographer and a 3-minute highlight reel (estimated value $2,000)

… but he’s got some runner up prizes too!

• 2nd Place – 2 hours of Engagement/Couples Photography with 1 Photographer with edited photographs on a DVD (estimated value $500)
• 3rd & 4th Place – Discount code for 10% off Photography/Videography services

Click here to read the contest rules and conditions.

So dig up your favourite photo with the love of your life and send it in! Good luck everyone!

All photos courtesy Tomasz Wagner | Mananetwork

For contest inquiries, contact Tomasz Wagner | Mananetwork.
Vancity Bride is not responsible for running this contest.

Meet Nomo Akisawa…

USV 3′s Ultimate Shooter is Nomo Akisawa. A fresh face in the Vancouver wedding industry, her business, Simply Sweet Photography by Nomo Akisawa, just shy of a year old! She describes herself as a hopeless romantic, and what better career to be in for someone like that? Photographing couples in love is what fuels her. Nomo’s favourite shots are those that aren’t expected… although she likes to have fun posing her subjects too, nothing beats the emotion portrayed in candid photography. She tries her best to capture those moments for all her couples. See the feature photo up above (the couple)? That photo was what won her the Ultimate Shooter honour.

A Few Words With Nomo…

Why did you join USV3? What did you think of that experience?
“I joined USV 3 because I had heard some great things about it through a group on Facebook.  After checking out on their webpage and looking through some photo’s I thought I would give it a go and try it out.  The registration opened up at 1pm, and I made sure I signed up within the minute  Yes, I can get a little crazy sometimes.. but I wanted to make sure the spots didn’t fill up and have myself miss the chance. I wanted to add bridal shots to my portfolio as well as network with other wedding photographers.  The day was everything I asked for and more. I was very grateful to have them as my teachers because I learned gained so much valuable information. I was also given the chance to meet a few extremely talented photographers. All thanks to Butter Studios, Pure White Studio, and Stone Photo.”

How does it feel to be voted Ultimate Shooter?
“First of all, I could not believe I won.  I jumped up and down with joy.. literally.. then called my mom and had to share the news.  Definitely one of the most exciting things that has happened to me as a photographer. I am beyond excited. Yes, I am like a child when I win things.. Ha ha. Feeling very blessed and grateful!”

What sets you apart from other wedding photographers?
“I have adapted my own style within my photography career. Best efforts are made to provide consistent quality, and have my brand recognized by my style. I strive to be unique and capture true emotion between the newlyweds and put 110% into each wedding I shoot. My goal is to have others view my photos and feel as if they were actually there for the moment again.”

What do you enjoy most about your job?
“I am presented with the chance to photograph a few of life’s most important milestones and capture then forever. Engagements, marriage, maternity, newborn and 1 year old birthdays, family, graduations, and then the cycle begins all over again. I get to make my clients feel beautiful. Within this business I get to meet the most amazing people ever, who are full of kind words and unbelievable support despite hardly knowing me. I could go on and on about what I enjoy most about the job. The truth is I would do this even if  didn’t get paid!”

Would you ever do USV again?
“Yes!  In fact I am already signed up for USV 4 and looking forward to it!”

Here’s a peek at some of Nomo’s bridal work…

To see more of Nomo’s work, visit her website, be a fan on Facebook, or follow her on Twitter.

Congratulations Nomo for becoming The Ultimate Shooter!

All bridal photos courtesy Simply Sweet Photography
Behind the scenes + group shot courtesy Ultimate Shootouts

Photographers: For more information about Ultimate Shootouts & how you can participate, visit their website.

Tracey does hair and makeup for all occasions including weddings and fashion shoots. Bridal hair and makeup, including lashes and airbrush (optional) is $170 and if you choose to have a full hair and makeup trial, it’s an additional $110. The trial is 2.5 hours long and includes a final look adjustment in case you want a different look for a night out with the girls or an engagement shoot. You also have the option to get a makeup or hair trial only for $70. Trials will help set you at ease on your wedding day because you can trust that Tracey will know exactly how you want to look your best. In her kits, you will find a variety of professional brands of makeup including MAC and Sephora. She chooses her products based on how long they last and how well it shows in photographs to ensure that each bride will look amazing on her special day.

Book your services early and take advantage of some discounts! For example, Tracey says, if you book your 2013 wedding in 2012, she will give at least 10% off! She also offers referral discounts to both referrer and referree, so it helps to spread the word too! She is also offering Vancity Bride readers a special discount:

Mention that you found Tracey on Vancity Bride and receive a 10% discount!

For more information on her promotions, send Tracey an email! Check out her portfolio and recent work on her website or her Facebook page.

A Few Words With Tracey…

What do you have to offer for brides with lower budgets?
“I already offer very affordable rates for brides, and I include a small touch up kit for free for brides who do not want to pay for the more expensive one.  It’s sufficient so that your makeup looks great throughout the whole day!  And if brides don’t have the time or money for a trial run, I am still available to exchange ideas through email so that brides can  have an idea of how things will be on their wedding day.”

What sets you apart from others in the same field?
“Vancouver is blessed with amazing make-up artists, and I am grateful to know many of them!  We all have different techniques, none that are better or worse than another, just personalized to us.  What may differ is that in my case, I’m not trying to prove myself amongst others in the industry.  I want to try to better the industry and change the way people do business.  I know the economy has changed a lot, altering people’s motives.  But I stay true to my values as a person, and I see people as human beings, not resources.  I’m in this to pursue my passion and have a good time, all while making people look and feel good!”

How do you determine what look is best for each person?
“Clients open up to me and in turn I take into account who they are and what they like as part of my overall vision of creating the best look for them.  I take into account a person’s face shape, eye/hair/skin colour, and style.  Makeup and hair should never be matchy-matchy, it’s all about personalization.  I also make sure to give clients a radiant glow, enhance their beauty, and make their skin look naturally flawless.”

If a client wants a certain style but you can tell it doesn’t make them look great, how would you deal with that situation?
“It’s understandable that people have preferences.  After all, we all grow up in different environments, thus developing different tastes.  But what I have in mind that a client may not is how a look will resonate 20 years down the road.  My job is to see the big picture.  I’ll be very thorough in explaining how a certain look will or will not work with a person’s features, and colouring.  The weather, lighting, and decor also play a role the look, so a lot must be taken into account before deciding on a final look.”

What is your favourite bridal look to date and why?
“I love hair that’s loosely pulled back away from the face.  Hilary Duff’s swept back updo is such a classic look.  And I love her glowing cheeks paired with fanned out and flirty lashes.”

What do you enjoy most about your job?
“I truly enjoy connecting with new people each day.  Even through all of life’s technological advances, my job still allows me to see people in person.  And the beauty of meeting new people is that no matter how different we appear on the surface, we are all affected by the same universal truths.  My job has shaped the way I see people, and I see that we all have a lot in common!”

What should your clients expect when they have their bridal consultation with you?
“At bridal consultations, I’m super easy going and laid back.  I encourage clients to open up and tell me what it is they are looking for, and I also want them to trust me because I have their best interest in mind.  I make sure to ask the right questions, and give thorough and logical explanations.  When clients are with me, they can expect to be in good hands because I’m gentle, attentive, and honest.”

If you had one piece of advice for a bride and groom, what would it be?
“It’s easy to bask in the glory of a well planned, and tasteful wedding.  But it’s even easier to forget that marriage is a symbolic move towards a new life with new priorities, and new endeavors.  My advice is that both the bride and groom should keep the importance of symbolism in mind when approaching the wedding, because once one’s heart is in the right place, everything that’s supposed to come together will do so accordingly.  I promise!”

To contact Tracey, visit her website.
Do you have what it takes to be a Vancity Vendor? Apply here.

All photos provided by Tracey Le Makeup & Hair
Photos courtesy Hannah Cummins Photography, Payal Video, Danielle Dobson Photo,
Westside Photography, Porus Vimadalal Photography, & Dana Smith Photography
Mouse over each photo to identify the photographer.

Vendor prices are subject to change. All prices quoted are accurate to the date published.

To celebrate her newly launched website, she is offering a special promotion – have a look!

Tegan’s base package is $2,350 and includes the following:

• 1 hour engagement session with personal online gallery
• Up to 6 hours wedding day coverage by 1 photographer
• Personal online gallery & print service to share with family & friends.

Her second tier package is $2,950 and includes everything in the base package but with 8 hours of wedding photography (instead of 6), a second photographer, a professionally packaged wedding DVD with high-res files, and mini album. More packages are available that include albums, additional photo coverage, etc. À la carte pricing is also available to better suit your needs.

You’ve got just less than 2 months to take advantage of this offer! Here’s a peek at some of her work…

Love what you see? Head over to Tegan’s new website, Facebook page, or blog to see more wedding goodness!

All photos provided by and courtesy Tegan McMartin Photography

Pure Magnolia’s 3-Day Sample Sale!

Thursday, May 24, 2012 | Farmer’s Market at Lynn Valley Square | 2PM til 7PM
Friday, May 25, 2012 | Pure Magnolia Studio | 9AM til 5PM
Saturday, May 26, 2012 | Pure Magnolia Studio | 10AM til 5PM

Dress prices from $200 – $1,000 (reg. $600 – $2,000)

Sizes 2 – 8 available

If you’re unable to come at these times, contact them to schedule an appointment!

Pure Magnolia is a North Vancouver-based company that specializes in eco-friendly, alternative wedding gowns for the modern bride. Designer Patty Nayel works one-on-one with all her brides to create one of a kind dresses that are not only stunning, but also sustainable. Patty’s dresses are made from highest quality, eco-friendly fabrics and reclaimed vintage materials. Their studio is located at #103-1258 Lynn Valley Road, North Vancouver, in an upstairs office space (the entrance to the building is beside the Dairy Queen). (Click here to see how Pure Magnolia helps the environment.)

Here’s a preview of some of the dresses that will be on sale!

Woven Corset Dress
$300 (reg. $1,100)

Silk Fusion Mermaid Wedding Dress
$800 (reg. $2,100)

Organza Ball Gown
$600 (reg. $1,800)

Think you’ll find your eco-chic dream dress here? Be sure to let me know when you do!

All photos provided by Pure Magnolia
Photographer credits: (Feature Photo) Athalia’s Photography, Ambrosia Photography,
and Urban Wed Photography

Mouse over each photo to identify the photographer.

The Details

When: Thursday, May 17, 2012 – 6PM til 9PM

Where: Anca’s Bridal, Cloverdale – map

Price: FREE – but space is limited so you must RSVP by emailing info@ancasbridal.com or calling 778-574-0200

Street parking is available

There will also be deluxe gift bags handed out and some lucky guests could even win some prizes!

Anca’s Bridal is a must-see for budget brides with lots of affordable dresses to choose from. They also carry a selection of bridesmaid dresses as well as prom dresses, for all the grads out there! If you need accessories, shoes, headpieces, veils, and jewelry are also available in-store. It’s one of the locations where you can find Vancity Vendor Sweetpiece Jewelry‘s creations. This should be a fun event so if you’re a bride-to-be in the area, you should RSVP now to make sure you’re in!

All photos courtesy Vancity Bride

La Terrazza is beautiful from the moment you walk in, with its hardwood furniture, fresco accents on the painted 30 foot ceiling, and doublesided fireplace, the space has an opulent yet old world feel. They have a few private rooms available to host functions: Enoteca (24 guests), the Terrace (55 guests), the Dining Room (120 guests), and their covered Patio (50 guests). For larger groups, combine the Dining Room and Patio to accommodate up to 250 guests seated or up to 350 for a reception style soiree. Events start at 5pm but, for convenience, they will allow you to set up during the afternoon. They only take on 1 wedding at a time and do their best to keep your event as private as possible since the restaurant will still be open to the public… unless of course you buy out the whole restaurant! Restaurant buyouts will also allow you to have room for a DJ and a dance floor. Situated on Cambie, just off Expo Blvd, the restaurant is close to several hotels and photo spots like the Opus Hotel, the Roundhouse Community Centre, Coopers Park and David Lam Park.

Ceremonies may be held at the restaurant as well, but there are a few restrictions. The smaller rooms do not allow for aisle seating, meanwhile the Dining Room can but there is a setup fee. Lisa tells me that they’ve had lots of ceremonies where guests were just seated at tables, which have worked beautifully. There’s more flexibility if you buy out the whole restaurant, you can easily have the ceremony on the patio or in one of the other rooms while everything is properly set up in the Dining Room for the reception.

If you’re having an intimate wedding, the Enoteca or the Terrace would be great options for you… And your budget! The minimum food and beverage spends for the Terrace during peak season is only $2,000, that’s roughly $36 per person for 55 guests! That is an easily attainable total, if you ask me! The Enoteca’s minimum spend is $1,500 during peak season. For non-peak seasons both Terrace and Enoteca minimum spends decrease by $500, but not in December, which is also considered peak season due to holiday parties.

La Terrazza is proud of its award-winning authentic Italian cuisine. Guests can enjoy set menus starting at $55.88 per person for a 3-course meal and they are more than happy to accommodate particular palates by offering customized menus for your party.

Having a wedding at La Terrazza can be forgiving on your wallet. Lisa tells me that summertime is considered to be one of their slower seasons so their rates can be flexible during that time. So if you want a summer wedding, don’t miss this hidden gem! You can pretty much rule out your decor budget because not much is needed for this beautiful space. Complimentary valet is offered for you and your guests, which is amazing since parking in downtown Vancouver can cost you an arm and a leg. They also waive the $2.88 per person cake cutting fee if you choose to serve cake or cupcakes, instead of serving dessert from their menu. MP3 players may be plugged into their speaker system but it will be played at a certain level in order to be considerate of other restaurant patrons. Should you choose to have a long weekend Sunday wedding, Lisa assures me that Sunday rates remain the same as any normal Sunday.

If you’re interested in seeing the space, call 604-899-4449 or email them at info@laterrazza.ca. I’d like to thank Lisa again for sharing this gorgeous space with me and my readers. Good luck with your venue hunt!

Feature photo courtesy Hong Photography
All other photos provided by Hong Photography & La Terrazza

 Prices quoted are accurate to the posted date. Vendor prices are subject to change.

Wedding cakes start at $4/slice and cupcakes start at $2.50 a piece. The price goes up from there depending on the amount of labour or materials involved. Jennifer only uses high quality ingredients that make home baking so tasty which includes fresh cream, real butter, fresh eggs and pure vanilla and vanilla beans. Jennifer LOVES cake decorating because it acts as a creative outlet for her, so if you’ve got a unique idea, she’d love to hear it and she’ll do her best to make it happen! If you wish to place an order, Jennifer encourages you to give her a lot of notice to ensure her availability and have ample time to brainstorm ideas. Jennifer can deliver and set up your sweets at the venue; her fee starts at $25 but it depends on the location, how much labour is required, and the number of trips Jennifer needs to make. It’s best to contact her to get a more accurate quote.

If you need some decor, Jennifer can help with that too! Included in her rental inventory are cake & cupcake stands, candy jars, parasols, platters, a birdcage, and more. Click here to see what she has available, the rental prices are included in each photo. Items are available for pickup in Coquitlam but delivery is available for a nominal fee.

Be sure to keep an eye on her blog, Facebook page, or Twitter because that’s where she announces any special promotions. You’ll be able to keep up with her latest work too!

A Few Words With Jennifer…

What do you have to offer for brides with lower budgets?
“Options, options, options! I love to bake all types of goodies, so we can always find something that is perhaps a bit less elaborate, and more budget-friendly, but just as tasty to serve your guests! I also love to create faux cakes if couples would still like to have a traditional cake on display, but serve something else to their guests.”

What sets you apart from others in the same field?
“Everyone offering a creative service has a different eye or angle, so it’s about finding someone that you want to work with, shares a similar vision, or can offer you the inspiration you need for your event. The reason I started baking & designing for others was because when I was planning my own wedding, I couldn’t find anyone baking up exactly what I was looking for. People were either offering the desserts or the décor but not in the same place. I like to think of my custom baking & event services as where desserts meet design.”

Do you cater to different dietary requests?
“Yes! I find I receive the most requests for gluten-free desserts. I regularly bake gluten-free, and have been doing so prior to opening for business, as my mother has Celiac. So between the two of us we are often looking for ways to create a delicious dessert, without having to tell everyone that it’s gluten-free first!”

What’s your favourite traditional cake that you made and why?
“My favorite traditional style cake was a replica top wedding cake tier I did for my parents 30th wedding anniversary. My mom still had the top tier preserved (while inedible at this point) for me to study from, and I had a great time doing a replica with some modern touches.

Or my favorite simple and traditional cake is my chocolate cake iced in good old fashioned buttercream with a rosette design. I love the idea of a number of these simple but sweet cakes set up on cake stands and gracing a dessert table at a shower or wedding.”

What’s your favourite creative cake that you made and why?
“While all of the cakes I do are creative because they are custom designed, one of the favorites I’ve done a few times now is the mah-jong cake. It was fun for me to pull out my parents old mah-jong set and create my own tiles using fondant and edible markers. The feedback I received on the mah-jong cake was that the party guests enjoyed both eating the cake and playing with the movable tiles on the mah-jong board!

Another one of my favorite creative cakes is a faux cake that I created for a display table. I wanted to show off a giant pink peony, and I just went with it! Its not often that I create anything without a client in mind so it was fun to just wing it!”

Are you always looking to come out with new flavours? What’s your most interesting flavor so far, and which is your most favorite to eat?
“I am always happy to work with new flavor combinations, so I encourage my clients to tell me what they have in mind, and typically only send them flavor ideas if they need them. I recently did a matcha green tea cake with dark chocolate ganache & milk chocolate swiss meringue buttercream, it was delish! As far as favorite flavor goes, my heart belongs to chocolate (milk, dark, or white, I don’t discriminate)!”

Will you be expanding your menu to include other products?
“I don’t work from a set menu of products & flavors; I create what I feel like trying myself, or whatever the client is looking for. Some of my favorite projects were flavors, desserts, or designs I had never tried before!”

If you had one piece of advice for a bride and groom, what would it be?
“Take on as little as possible for the day of the wedding; all that needs to happen that day is that you get married. And eat seconds at dinner & dessert- you will be hungry later!”

To contact Jennifer, visit her website.
Do you have what it takes to be a Vancity Vendor? Apply here.

All photos provided by Jennifer Stafford Events
Feature photo by Andrea Gurniak Photography
Photographer credits: Andrea Gurniak Photography, Sakura Photography, Cora’s Photography, and Sweet Heirloom Photography

Vendor prices are subject to change. All prices quoted are accurate to the date published.

Free Admission

Pos-Abilities Bridal Show
When: Saturday, May 5, 2012 – 12PM til 5PM
Where: Aldergrove Kinsmen Community Centre, Aldergrove – map

A Spring Affair
When: Thursday, May 17, 2012 – 6PM til 9PM
Where: Anca’s Bridal, Cloverdale – map

Cinderella Bridal Show
When: Thursday, May 31, 2012 – 5PM til 9PM
Where: Delta Town & Country Inn, Delta – map

Paid Admission

Head Over Heels Wedding Show
When: Thursday, May 10, 2012 – 4PM til 8:30PM
Where: Langley Golf & Banquet Centre, Langley – map
Price: $12 online

EPIC Sustainable Living Expo (Check out their green wedding showcase!)
When: Friday, May 11 – Sunday, May 13, 2012 – various times
Where: Vancouver Convention Centre West, Vancouver – map
Price: $12 online

Sales & Trunk Shows

Pure Magnolia’s Sample Sale
When: Thursday, May 24 – Saturday, May 26, 2012
Where: Farmer’s Market at Lynn Valley Square (Thursday, 2PM-7PM), Pure Magnolia Studio (Friday, 9AM-5PM/Saturday, 10AM-5PM)
Dresses priced between $200 & $1,000 (reg. $600-$2,000)!

Boudoir Marathons

Butter Studios Boudoir Marathon
When: Saturday, May 19, 2012
Where: Butter Studios, Port Moody – map
Price: $425+HST

Boutique Studios/All Dolled Up Studio Boudoir Marathon
When: Saturday, May 19 – Sunday, May 20, 2012
Where: Boutique Studios, Yaletown – map
Price: $255+HST

Boudoir Party by Denise Lin Photography
When: Saturday, May 26, 2012
Where: Loden Hotel, Vancouver - map
Price: $345+HST

For the DIY Bride

Essential Bows 101
When:  Saturdays, May 12 | May 19, 2012, 11AM til 12PM
Where: Essential Packaging, Surrey – map
Price: $10 per session

Essential Cello 101
When:  Saturdays, May 26, 2012, 11AM til 12PM
Where: Essential Packaging, Surrey – map
Price: $10 per session

Want your event to be included? Contact us!

Feature Photo by Vancity Bride is from Lovestruck Bridal Show 2011