When I first got hold of these wedding images, I immediately emailed the photographers with the word “Beeeeeeeeeeautiful!” I enjoy ‘all things pretty’ and this wedding is just that. Carmen & Reid’s special day were captured by JDS Photography in Edmonton, Alberta. Here’s what Julie had to say about this October wedding:

We has so much fun with Carmen and Reid on their wedding day! They were such a great group, going outside in Edmonton’s fall weather can be a bit chilly someday’s but this group was all for it! They didn’t let a little cold weather spoil their fun! That’s just what we had all day long with this group fun! Some of the nicest people I have ever met…thanks for sharing your day with us Carmen and Reid!

Loving these green background shots…
Black & White details at the reception held at the Fairmont Hotel MacDonald.

Thanks Julie & David for capping off a very busy, yet rewarding week. Enjoy the weekend everyone!

{images courtesy JDS Photography}

I’m super excited to share with you some fabulous new additions to the Love List! First off, the VERY talented Photobolic based out of Calgary, Alberta. I am absolutely smitten with their work and I guarantee you will be enamored as well! Here’s a sneak peek at some of Photobolic’s past work and definitely check out their dynamic gallery (with more lovely images) over at the Love List.

Love it? See more of their images & contact information on the Love List.

Ever since starting the site back in march 2008 (2 years is coming up!), I’ve met the most amazing people, especially here in my hometown of Edmonton. It’s been such a blast going through wedding inspiration, sifting through emails and blogging about what I love most…weddings. The vendors list in Edmonton has been a hit and it’s been a great way for me to reach and get to know talented individuals in the industry.

So…because it’s been a blast and because I’m always looking to get busier, I’ve added a couple other cities. As well, the vendor list is now being called the “LOVE LIST” because you all know how much I enjoy using that four letter word!

First and foremost, this is a BLOG that provides wedding inspiration, but it’s also important to connect brides with the right vendors because inspiration can only take you so far.The blog will continue to remain EDMONTON (and Alberta) -focused and these additional vendor lists will just be an another resource pathway for readers from those locations.

So…I’ll be starting off tomorrow and end off the week with a couple new talented vendors who I know you’ll really enjoy hearing more from in the future. Until then, happy planning.

If you have a service or vendor you’d like me to learn about, please feel free to contact me to discuss further.

I would give just about anything to be under the warmth of the hot sun. Especially after hearing where this wedding took place: gorgeous Vardero, Cuba. Award-winning Edmonton photographer, JAG Photography definitely mixes up my recent winter features with this destination wedding. I know I always say it, but Jasser really ‘knack’ for beautiful black and white photography that exude great emotion. Moments + details + lovely couple + beautiful setting..what more can you ask for? Enjoy.

How amazing are those bridesmaid dresses? I love the ruffle detailing on the single strap and the color is oh-so-rich.

Be sure to check out his blog for more of his lovely weddings.

{images courtesy JAG Photography}

I hope you all had a fabulous weekend. I’ve got loads of inspiration to share this week! A very “Canadian” wedding to start off the week, as Stephanie Cragg Photography stopped by to share the real wedding of Tanya & James.

Here’s what Stephanie had to say about the wedding:

I think of this beautiful wedding as an homage to Canadiana… and affectionately refer to it as the ‘Mounties in the Mountains’ wedding! James and Tanya are both RCMP officers in Alberta. Their wedding party was a fun-loving group that consisted of family and friends..meanwhile at their ceremony, 6 RCMP colleagues from across Canada acted as The Honour Guard.

The ceremony, photographs, and reception all happened in and around one of my most favourite places for weddings: Nakoda Lodge, in the foothills of The Canadian Rocky Mountains, near Morley, Alberta. Although it was early October, we were surprised with a lovely snowfall!

Thanks for letting us have a glimpse into your work, Stephanie. Be sure to check out Stephanie’s blog for more wedding love.

{images courtesy Stephanie Cragg Photography}

Happy Monday everyone. It’s time for some link love!

Check out the talented Ambient Studio’s (Toronto) Highlight Reel from 2009.

Ambient Studios | 2009 Highlights from L Issler on Vimeo.

Edmonton photographer, Jasser from JAG Photography won editor’s pick from bride.ca - congrats Jasser!

Edmonton brides: Blackbird Photography is proud to donate 10% of all boudoir or pin-up photosession fees to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, and help to create a future without breast cancer. How sweet is that? Below are some more details from Reanna:

Surprise your fiance on your wedding day with a gorgeous hardcover press printed book of you! Either as a gift for someone you love, or just to celebrate YOU (the best reason!).

Boudoir: Celebrate You!
Beautiful boudoir photography, for the bride to be. Boudoir photosessions include a glam-over with a hairstylist and makeup artist to help your inner beauty shine out. Its time for YOU to shine. Session comes with a hard cover press printed book of best images as a keepsake. All sessions come with a private digital online password protected proofing gallery to shop for prints and products.
Pin-Up: Go retro glam!
Retro is back and ever popular! Do you want to be a pinup cutie? Are you the ‘girl next door’ , a tattoo’d Betty, saucy kitten or burlesque star? How about an vintage hollywood glamour starlette? Want to create a special present for your hot wheels fiance? Embrace the retro era and book yourself for: Blackbird Photography’s: Pinup Sessions.
This darling lil’ photo session is for ladies only, with Blackbird Photography’s female photographer and female staff and includes glam-over services of a makeup artist and hairstylist to turn you retro perfection. After your makeover session, have a blast during your one hour photography session which will include as many outfits as you can cram in to the timeframe, using a selection of Blackbird Photography’s props. Session includes a beautiful hardcover press printed book of your images and a private, password protected online gallery.

Boudoir or Pin-Up Package: $390, photosession includes:
-female photographer and female staff
-photosession
-various sets (backgrounds)
-up to four outfit changes
-makeup and hairstyling glam-over by professional artists
-beautiful hardcover press printed book of session images!!!!!!!
-all images are retouched and edited (blemishes begone!)
-password protected private online digital gallery for proofing
-add a calendar of session images for $45 at time of session

All bookings receive one free 8×10 print when they mention www.weddingobsession.com.
Contact Blackbird Photography to book your session now.

Other links you might enjoy:
Vistaprint’s doing new weekly giveaways.
Canadian brides: check out Wedding Bells‘ contests for your city - new prizes every week!
The ever stylish Studio Choo came out with a new online store.
Winter party tips from Studio Dreyer Hensley via design sponge

If you have any news relevant to weddings, please email me {melissa@weddingobsession.com}. You will receive a reply if it is published.

If you’re just joining the blog, today we’re featuring the ‘real Hindu wedding’ of Amita & Abheeshek that was held on a cruise ship from Tampa to Cozumel. The wedding events were captured by Edmonton-based photographers Shandro Photo.

Michael & Haley surprised the couple by doing a casual shoot on the beach the day following the wedding.

THANK YOU so much Shandro Photo for sharing this wedding with us. For those who need more inspiration, be sure to check out their blog. And those who are looking for a destination photographer or require a photographers that are experienced with various ethnic weddings, be sure to check them out.

{images courtesy Shandro Photo}

COLOR. Vibrant love! I am so excited that the ever-talented Shandro Photo chose to share this destination wedding with us. I always get a rush of excitement when I get to post an ethnic wedding because it’s such an experience. Amita & Abheeshek held their Hindu wedding on a cruise ship which started in Tampa, Florida and ended in gorgeous Cozumel, Mexico. The wedding was filled with various traditional elements & ceremonies that are always a treat to witness. Did I mention I absolutely adore the color of their wedding garments? While I could blab on about how much I love the images (which I tend to do in my real wedding features), this time I’ll let the images speak for themselves. Here is part I: Enjoy-

SO amazing.

Hang tight to see Part II of this real wedding feature. More to come!

{images courtesy Shandro Photo}

My dear friends Case & Clem got married this past July and I was lucky enough to be there! I’ve known them for over 7 years and I think they are just the cutest couple. It’s been so much hearing about Cassandra’s wedding planning and I actually miss how everytime we got together it was non-stop wedding talk!

So I’m super happy to share with you the details of their wedding captured by Sweet Life Photography. I had the pleasure of meeting Jaleen (the photographer) a while ago, and she is such a sweet person. Ok, I’m going to stop talking and let Cassandra share her wedding day experience filled with loads of love & laughter.

Our wedding day was one of the most exciting days of our lives, we had such an amazing photographer (Jaleen from Sweet life photography) to help capture our day. The Day was super hot, Hottest in Edmonton (July 25). We decided to do photos 1st because both ceremony and reception were at the same place. We decided to meet on the street corner where we first met each other 7 years ago (we got married on our 7 year anniversary). That was my favorite part of the day, were we got to see each other for the 1st time without everyone around and we could talk, he was so nervous and kept telling me how beautiful I looked and how he couldn’t wait to marry me, it was the most sweetest part of my life.

At 4 pm we had an elegant ceremony, after that we gave out our special treat for everyone it was a drink called ‘Bubble Tea’, (My Husband and I with friends go for it all the time), we special ordered it through Dream Tea House, We had a choice between Fresh Fruit Mango or Strawberry. It was a good way to cool down from the heat. We even have a large group photo with everyone who attended the wedding. At the Start of the Reception we have a lion dance performance and if you have never been to one you should see it, Drums, Cymbals, a gong, 2 Lions (special lions for the wedding) so loud and noisy and excellent way for a Grand Entrance.

We played the Shoe game, a Kissing game with Hershey kisses, My Husbands parents are ballroom dancers, they and their friends did some nice ballroom dances, we snuck out before the dancing really began and took some really nice photos of just the two of us. After the head table was done, we set up a photo booth were everyone took goofy and nice photos with props (such as a rice farmer hat) it was extremely popular and a nice way to have everyone in photos. We didn’t leave till 1:30 in the morning we were about to leave but everyone had an extremely nice surprise, everyone chipped in for a very expensive bottle of champagne (Dom Perignon). We headed to our Hotel (the Matrix) and that was a perfect end for a perfect night.

And fun it was. Here’s to many more years of laughter you two! :]

{all images courtesy Sweet Life Photography}

Colors: Red, White, and Black
Photographer: Jaleen from Sweet Life Photography
Dress, Shoes, Stationary, Favors: from her trip to Hong Kong
Tuxes: Derks
Flowers: Myself and Aunt, (Costco, Growers Direct)
Venue: Edmonton Petroleum Club
Officiant: Ian McClellan
Bubble Tea: Dream Tea House
Lion Dance: Hong De Cultural Athletic Association
Photo Booth: WLphotography.ca
Cake: Garden Bakery
DJ: DJ Hotline

Real wedding time! Lance Burns sent over photos from Amanda & Annick’s Edmonton wedding that I waited so patiently for! I met Amanda from my Toastmasters group and after hearing about all her wedding details leading up to the date, I couldn’t wait to see how the wedding turned out. Amanda & Annick are such an adorable couple and I can’t imagine a pair that adore it each more than these two. I LOVE the colors of the bouquets which were provided by La Piazza Dasee.

Here’s what Lance had to say about the day:

Being the photographer for Amanda and Annick’s wedding was an honour. The day was perfect in both weather and splendor. The dresses were amazing, the bouquets were in full bloom and ceremony was touching. I was happy to have been included in such a great event. I loved the ceremony as it was outdoors at a gazebo in downtown Edmonton and the weather was well above 30 degrees! The formals were shot at Rutherford house on the U of A campus as well as other shots in the surrounding area. We ended our day at the legislature building and enjoyed the pool for an evening dip in our dresses! It was the perfect ending to a perfect day! Congratulations to you both, Amanda and Annick!

Amanda & Annick - I wish you all the best in the future. xoxo Thanks to Lance Burns Photography for sharing the captured moments & details with us!

{images courtesy Lance Burns Photography}