Sakura Photography | Vancouver Weddings

Brock House Wedding: Michelle and Darren

June 30, 2009

1. Three dresses and four pairs of shoes kept me pretty busy during bridal prep : )
2. We took the directed photos before the tea ceremony and civil ceremony, so Michelle and Darren could spend their wedding time with their guests
3. Darren went for a hot shave at Farzad’s Barbershop in Yaletown- highly recommended as grooms don’t usually have much to do during pre-wedding time… sitting on a couch and drinking beer doesn’t count as something to do!
4. Michelle’s mom is a super fashionista
5. They had the cheekiest and funniest hair stylist I’ve ever met– Riccardo from Alta Moda Hair Solutions– I want to fly to Calgary just so he can style my hair. Michelle had so much personality in her hair that day!
6. One of Michelle’s pairs of shoes (the white flats) had a sakura blossom. Way to represent, Michelle! As soon as I have the time, I am heading to Aldo to get myself a pair. She also sported a pair of pink and red Fluevogs at the tea ceremony with her Chinese dress.
7. They had an epic tea ceremony- definitely our longest. A solid hour of close family and friends coming through to be served tea by Michelle and Darren (there was a waiting room outside for it)- lots of good moments were had though, so I think all their kneeling was worth it.
8. I secretly really wanted Michelle to keep her lashes in A Clockwork Orange-style for the day

Another rad Brock House wedding on another beautiful day. Michelle and Darren planned their day out perfectly and were able to enjoy every minute of it!

brock house wedding

Congrats!!!

The rad peops who helped make this day happen:
Makeup Artistry: Hair Spray and Lip Gloss Anita Lee
Florist: V & J Plant Shop (in the Public Market at Granville Island) - Lianne and Peter
Cake: Sweet Thea - Thea Wilgress
Dress: Ivory dresses: Bello Wedding World. Red dress: made in Beijing
Tuxedo: Harry Rosen
Wedding Jewelry: Jeweliette, Luk Fook and Tiffany’s

Beth: Another great wedding! Love these, the details shots are to die for! I am sure they'll be thrilled!

Andrea: Well Leslie, you're still good...;)

Leslie: Haha thanks Andrea! I am so glad you are still checking to make sure!!!! :)

Andrea and Matt’s Sneak Peek

June 30, 2009

Over the past few months, Andrea has been so kind in making me feel special with her blog comments. It’s only fair that she gets a little sneak peek of her wedding. This wedding preview is with a twist : )

That’s Mark getting in on the action : ) Because I’m not that mean, I put the nice version of this photo on our facebook page. Congrats Andrea and Matt!!!

Andrea: AHAHAHA! I love our expressions!! Poor Mark!

michelle ellis: LOL!!!! Love it!

Karen Dyke: Mark, Ty and I just peed our pants!!! So funny!!

Brock House Wedding: Courtney and Kevin

June 26, 2009

1. Courtney’s wedding dress had pockets, and I saw her using them lots throughout the day : )
2. We experienced a rare California-style sunset that evening in Vancouver!
3. Courtney said “NO” to white wedding shoes, and “YES” to blue
4. Kevin and Courtney wanted 100% photojournalistic coverage… meaning there was no time put aside for photos during the day- they just wanted to enjoy their wedding day to the max and spend time with their family and friends… so cool
5. If you get married at the Brock House, please get married under the big tree!

I’ve been excited to share this garden party wedding with everyone since I found out that we would be working unobtrusively the entire time- it felt so good to catch photos of guests savoring Courtney and Kevin’s wedding day without worrying about a timeline, seating plan, lining up for photos, speeches, and all that other fun stuff that guests usually experience at weddings … and as for us, it felt good to be ignored! : )

brock house wedding ceremony tree

blue wedding bridal shoes

something old wedding tradition

brock house wedding

groom arriving at brock house in porsche

groomsmen talking

brock house wedding

flower girls

bride coming down aisle at brock house

brock house wedding big tree

ceremony kiss under a tree

marriage officiant attitude

brock house wedding

congrats after ceremony

champagne at brock house wedding

sunset in vancouver

brock house wedding

kids playing at wedding

brock house wedding

drinking non alcoholic punch at wedding

blowing big bubbles at wedding

brock house wedding

speech outside at brock house

brock house wedding

brock house wedding dinner

dusk in vancouver city skyline brock house

glow tubes at wedding

full moon at wedding

first dance brock house wedding

groom smoking cigar

brock house wedding

Simon: Stunning set! Nice location and wedding car, too.

Beth: WOW! These are simply amazing! I can't even begin to pick a favorite. Great job!

Heather: Wow. These are FANTASTIC. You have captured some absolutely priceless moments...they really got their money's worth out of you on this one. The "no posing" thing worked out so much better than I thought.

michelle ellis: Wow! That tree is breathtaking... You guys are so awesome!

Carolyn Egerszegi: Terrific shots. Beautiful, all of them! You always make your brides & grooms & guests (& Vancouver) look so wonderful.

alie from wppi :): okay, these are outstanding, as usual! when my wedding comes along, you're hired! (youknowwhatyou'redoing) & you'll know what exactly what i want! i will say NO to white shoes, & YES to photojournalistic style. :)

Karen Dyke: I LOVE IT! What an awesome idea! I wish I knew you when I got married!! You did an amazing job capturing everyone's candid expressions! You are amazing!

Krista: Wow these are really, really great, I love all of them!

Chelsea Langley: WOW Leslie!! These are awesome!! Can't wait for my turn!!

What to do when it rains on your wedding day

June 23, 2009

rainy day wedding in vancouver

I hate it break it to you, but we don’t live in California. There are going to be days similar to this when folks get married in Vancouver. And I love it!!! And thankfully, so did Leila and Sean’s extremely cool wedding party! What do you think Leila, was this awesome, or was this awesome? : ) {and yes, I fully realize that this blog post is oh-so very contradictory of the last post} : P

Beth: OMG, I ADORE this shot! It has rained here something crazy like 18 out of the last 20 days! Thanks for the smile!

Janie: Woah i love how they are all wearing different colours and styles as bridesmaids!!! That's really neat! Love the shot of course! Although I am hoping it won't rain on my wedding day!

sara: love the different dresses!

Susan Solo: This is SO FUN! I love this image! What a great group.

Alice: What an adorable photo! Love it!

Scott Hadfield: Well maybe global warming will turn BC into california.

Andrea: Great shot Leslie!!

Leila: We all love this shot... We can not wait to see the rest...

Krista: How awesome!

Almost Summer!

June 15, 2009

Can’t wait! This photo makes me love Vancouver, and Michelle too! I’ll blog their wedding soon, hang tight!

michelle ellis: that should be in a travel brochure!

Audrey: i love this shot. sooo happy and fresh.

John Heil: fantastic shot!!!!

rebecca: love the tilted horizon. well done.

Krista: beautiful, love it!!

Fort Langley Hall Wedding: Charity and Tom

June 10, 2009

1. Charity has the best hair in the world
2. Tom is the tallest person in the world
3. Charity’s personality is as beautiful as her name sounds
4. Tom wears his heart on his sleeve
5. I felt cool when other weddings came to pose in front of the Fort Langley hall and we were the ones partying inside with the A/C on full blast
6. Charity’s brother could make a good living as entertainer for weddings
7. They made money off their first dance!
8. Dancing was still in full swing and getting wild at midnight via DJ Ivan : )

Together with the help of their family, these two threw a massive party for their close friends+relatives at the historic Fort Langley Hall. Check it out!

fort langley wedding

michelle ellis: That last one makes me smile(:

Janie: haha yay I love the texting picture! so cute. Lovely wedding!

Susan Solo: Such a fun wedding! LOVE that sneaky shot of the text message!

Yaletown Engagement: Lori and Johnny

June 8, 2009

This little preview will probably make allergy sufferers cry (like myself), but aren’t L+J gorgeous on the grass!!?

yaletown vancouver engagement session

Beth: I LOVE these! Had to laugh about the allergies, my poor clients have been suffering with that too. Anyway, great shots, love the back light & sun flare!

michelle ellis: What a sweet session(:

Minoru Chapel Wedding: Cindy and Derek

June 3, 2009

Cindy+Derek had a huge, action packed wedding day! The Minoru Chapel ceremony was in the morning, followed by lunch and a tea ceremony at Cindy’s house, and then photo time around Richmond, and a big reception to round off their wedding. The day flew by– here’s a little look:

bride getting makeup on

{Make up artistry by First Blush}

bride getting hair sprayed

bride looking in mirror at her earrings

putting on wedding shoes

detail of wedding ring and mirror reflection

groom getting ready in richmond

minoru chapel waiting

minoru chapel before ceremony

ceremony kiss

bubbles exit at minoru chapel wedding

minoru richmond wedding

chinese food lunch

tea ceremony at richmond wedding

reading newspaper at wedding

For the wedding photos, we went to the Richmond Olympic Oval, Richmond’s newest great photo location : ) richmond olympic oval wedding photos

richmond olympic oval wedding photos

wedding umbrella japanese parasol formal

bride dancing

richmond wedding formals

This was one too many smooches for Derek… lipstick kiss on groom cheeks

And then over to The Jade for the wedding reception chinese wedding reception

ring details

chinese games at wedding

The flow of the evening was based on the dish– When dish #1 came out, there was a speech. Dish #2=game. Dish #3=another speech, etc.. I liked how the food dictated the evening! cheers at table

cheers at table

Congrats Cindy+Derek to a perfect wedding day and thank you for making us feel welcome!

Emily: So many artful and beautiful images...

Beth: WOW! Once again, these rock! I LOVE the Olympic Oval shots, the parasol one and the ring shot! I'm sure they are going to be thrilled!

michelle ellis: Oh the bubbles!!!! And that red circle vent thing....you've been busy(:

sara: love the bubbles!

Andrea: Oh my goodness!! You guys are amazing-can't wait for ours!! :)

rebecca: the bubble's one is insane!

Golden Eagle Golf Club Wedding: Sarah and Sean

June 1, 2009

Sarah and Sean were the first couple to book a date with us for 2009, so their wedding has been on my mind for quite a while now : ) I am so excited to finally see it happen! They were married on yet another beautiful weekend at the cutesy Ioco United Church in Port Moody, and had their reception at the Golden Eagle Golf Club in Pitt Meadows.

I have to give Sarah lots of credit for making our day easy (and of course to Sean for merrily going with the flow!). The whole gang fully trusted us which made the day a blast. golden eagle pitt meadows

golden eagle pitt meadows

I was tempted to post three epically gigantic verticals, but I decided to go easy on everyone and just do three verticals, with only one being gigantic : ) golden eagle pitt meadows

golden eagle pitt meadows

She is one amazing gal! golden eagle pitt meadows

golden eagle pitt meadows

I loved their nature-themed wedding! golden eagle pitt meadows

golden eagle pitt meadows

Sarah’s sis had sweet things to say about her sister …awwww : ) golden eagle pitt meadows

golden eagle pitt meadows

I like it when couples hang out with each other during their wedding day… seriously, it sometimes doesn’t happen! golden eagle pitt meadows

.. and did I also mention I like it when the cigars come out?!? : ) golden eagle pitt meadows

Anyone who dances to Metallica for their first wedding dance deserves lots of beautiful photos! : ) golden eagle pitt meadows

golden eagle pitt meadows

Congrats!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bouquets: Proline Trading
Cake: C is for Cake
DJ: Echowave Productions
Dress Alterations: Sew What’s New (I put this info here because Sarah’s dress held together REALLY well! We’ve seens lots of dress disasters lately….) - Sarah recommends this seamstress (based in Port Coquitlam), so check her out if you need alterations on your gown!

Lesley: Metallica?!! Awesome! :D

Susan B: i love how you captured the peaceful nature feel here, absolutely beautiful!

Brianna Phelan: These are gorgeous. We have daughters with red hair - this makes me smile thinking about their wedding days :)

Andrea: Beautiful shots Leslie!

alie: what was it, 'nothing else matters'? :) that's awesome. i was thinking of doing metallica for something in mine.

Tuesday Blues

May 26, 2009

Tuesday got you down? This will cheer you up!

newborn baby portrait

Thanks for all the smiles/toots/pees+poos Jordan!

newborn baby portrait

sherry: great pictures les! he is soooo cute mark and deb!!!

Ariane: omg his little grin in the first one is sooooo cute. and i like the jordan stripey caterpillar one :-)

Lisa P: sooo cute!! great photos. If these photos don't cheer someone up, i don't know what will :)

Jemima Lee: Aw, the first photo made my day - what a cutie! I love all the comfy-looking knitwear-did you guys put him in a bunch of different socks? hahaha =b

michelle ellis: stop it already! My gosh that is one cute session.

Susan Solo: Oh. My. Gosh. These just took first place of my most favorite newborn photos ever! Seriously.

Janie: OH MY GOD. cutest baby ever!!!! hey is that white wrap mine, or someone else's? Beautiful Shoot!!!!!!!

Laura: Such precious pics! Love them all! Especially with the hand by his face. G'pa loves the "egg" pic. GREAT COMPOSITION! G'ma & G'pa Bliss

bliss: loves it Les! thank you!

Flora: definitely a good day to see these cute pictures of Jordan.... took my Thursday blues away =p

Rachel Peters: These are sooooo cute! All of them!