Team Sarrie!

Recently I had the extremely awesome opportunity to travel to Edinburgh, Scotland to shoot the Wedding/Civil Union of two incredible people. I first met Carrie & Sarah in San Francisco almost two years ago. I was struck then by their warmth & tenderness towards each other, but I would have never thought that 21 months later I would be half-way across the world shooting their Wedding!

When I received an email from Carrie in January of this year asking if I would be open to the idea of photographing their big day, I almost pee’d my pants. I know that’s not very professional to admit, but it’s true! I was THRILLED. Not just because it would mean that I would get to go to Scotland, but because I would get to work with this amazing couple once more. Lucky me!

Their big day was packed full of personalized, ‘DIY’ touches. From the newspaper buttoniers, to their converted-children’s books menus, the whole event just oozed ‘Carrie & Sarah’ (known collectively now by the moniker of ‘Sarrie‘) charm. It was fabulous.

There are a few things that I will never forget about Sarrie’s wedding:

* The Ceilidh Dancing! While a norm at Scottish Weddings & Events, this traditional Gaelic group folk dance has yet to take North America by storm… And that is a cryin’ shame because it was easily some of the most fun I have ever had at a Wedding! So fun, in fact, that I think I will make it a point to mention it to all my future Wedding Clients in an attempt to convince THEM to have a Ceilidh of their very own. They’ll thank me later!

* The Venue. ‘The Caves’ on Niddry Street hosted both the Ceremony & the Reception and they did an absolutely stand-up job of it. While tricky to photograph in, the brick, the lights, the secret little nooks & crannies were so incredibly atmospheric and beautiful! The venue really took on an identity all it’s own… Which, I think, is the sign of a truly special venue.

* The LOVE! Look, every wedding is packed full of love. That’s sort of the nature of the event, y’know? However, every so often you get to attend a wedding where the LOVE, the serenity, the happiness practically drips from the walls. It oozes out of not just the Bride & Groom (or, in this case- the Bride & the Bride) but out of every single person in attendance as well. There is so much love and endorphins just floating around that it’s intoxicating. I will always remember Carrie & Sarah’s wedding as one of the most loving, tender & genuine nuptials that I have ever had the pleasure of attending.

Big thank you to Carrie & Sarah for having me out there and for trusting me and my camera to capture their magical day. You were such gracious hosts! I wish you two a lifetime of laughter and happiness (though, I have a feeling that your lives are not lacking in that department in the slightest!). Much love!

Frances & Chilo

Goodness! I can’t believe that I didn’t blog about Frances’ and Chilo’s Wedding yet! I guess I got so wrapped up in the Holidays and The New Year, and it just completely slipped my mind. Well, better late than never!

I first met Frances when she contacted me for photos of her then-4 month old baby girl. The shoot was fabulous and I went on to work with Frances & her daughter Charlotte many more times. Each time was an absolute joy. Charlotte was a natural in front of the camera from that very first shoot!

In mid-2011 Frances contacted me yet again. Only this time it wasn’t for photos of Charlotte… Frances and her long-time boyfriend were now ENGAGED and planning a intimate wedding at San Francisco’s City Hall. I could not have been more thrilled for this little family! Even more exciting was that Frances wanted to know when I would next be in San Francisco. She wanted to plan her wedding for a date that I would be in town because she was determined that I had to be their photographer. I was beyond flattered that she was so set on me photographing her big day. “We’ll wait for you! We’re not in any rush!“ She said. ::ultimate photographer flattery::

And so, on November 18th I was honoured to once again work with this amazing family. Only this time I was being trusted to photograph one of the biggest days of their lives– Their Wedding Day. As always, City Hall was an absolutely perfect backdrop for a short, sweet & tender ceremony. Congratulations Frances & Chilo (and of course, precious little Charlotte, too)!! I am so glad that I could have been there.

Bobtoberfest

I have known Bob, Roseanne and their two fabulous sons for years. For as long as I have known them, they have thrown an annual Oktoberfest Party called ‘Bobtoberfest’. Bobtoberfest is legendary amongst their friends as family with each year being bigger and more ‘Oktoberfest’d out‘ than the last. A magician, face painter & arts & crafts station for the kids, chefs grilling up bratwurst, a 5 piece German ‘Ooompa-pa’ band, endless beer on tap and more pretzels than you could ever eat; the recipe for a great party if ever I have seen one!

Bob & Rosie have been together for nearly 20 years. They have two beautiful sons, an unspeakably gorgeous home and an amazing circle of friends and family.. But for whatever reason they just never got married. Well, in a pretty surprising turn of events the duo decided to choose Bobtoberfest 2011 as the setting for their SURPRISE nuptials! A few people (*ahem* like yours-truly) were let in on the secret ahead of time, while the majority of the guests were under the impression that they were attending just a regular Bobtoberfest.

But when 5:30pm sharp rolled around and the band picked up with a German Ooompa-pa version of ‘Here Comes the Bride‘, the guests broke out into an enormous cheer as Roseanne walked down the steps to meet her Groom & two beautiful sons (dressed in matching Lederhosen). It was such a great moment! Even the bride & groom’s own parents had not been let in on the secret and I can only imagine the surprise and happiness they must have been feeling.

After the exchange of vows, rings & a fabulous kiss– the newly weds got right back down to the Bobtoberfest Festivities. The guests partied, congratulated & “PROST’ed’ well into the evening.

Denver Sneak Peek

I was in Denver this past weekend shooting Victoria & Will’s absolutely beautiful wedding. I have a lot to say about the trip & the wedding, but I will save it for the full blog post. For now, please enjoy these little ‘sneak peek’ images!

Sarah and Paul

 

Surrounded by 50 of their nearest & dearest friends & family members, Sarah & Paul exchanged vows at a sweet & intimate ceremony at Abba’s Sanctuary, in Lake Stevens WA. I was along for the ride to capture their special day and couldn’t have been more honored. It’s rare to see a couple so plainly in love and devoted to each other– the passion these two have for each other can be seen by the naked eye. It was such a pleasure to be part of their big day. May they cherish these images for a life time.

 

Ashley & Arthur

3+ years ago, while they were still just dating, I had the pleasure of shooting Ashley & Arthur in Vancouver’s ‘Gastown’. A year and a half later I was doing an engagement shoot for them on Granville Island… and a year & ½ later I had the pleasure of joining these two while they said ‘I Do’.

Ashley & Arthur flew me to my hometown of Vancouver, Canada specifically for the purpose of shooting their big day. They explained “We absolutely wouldn’t have trusted anyone else“. How flattering! I can’t tell you how amazing it is to not only know follow a couple for so many years, but to also be trusted to capture so many monumental moments in their life. They are not only a beautiful couple, but are individually beautiful, fun, outgoing and wonderful people. Truly, genuinely, from the bottom of my heart I wish them years and years of happiness.

 

Valeska & Tilo’s Big Day

You may remember Valeska & Tilo from their engagement photos posted just a few weeks ago.

I was honored to be asked to cover their City Hall Wedding on January 11th. City Hall holds a special place in my heart- not only is it incredibly beautiful, it is also where my husband & I got married. My first hand experience with the venue definitely gives me a little bit of an edge when working with other couples who are tying the knot there. Valeska & Tilo’s Ceremony was attended by 12 wonderful guests, four of which flew in all the way from Germany to be there for the proceedings. It was an absolutely beautiful event. Wishing the happy couple many years of happiness, joy & adventure.

Words of Praise

“Tamara~ I can’t thank you enough for how you captured our wedding day!!! The pictures are so beautiful, we LOVE them! You have such a warm presence which brings out the best in people. This is such a magical and special time for us. Thank you for putting into print the love and gratitude that fills us! You are an angel! ♥” -Jessica

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Jessica and Kris Getting Married

Jessica & Kris tied the knot in (what I would describe) as the most perfect wedding of all time. Everything from the bride’s gorgeous smile, the venue with the lights delicately strung from trees, the warmth of the guests and the taste of the food was perfect. The ceremony was outdoors on a secluded patio, followed by a cocktail hour on another outdoor patio, which was then followed by dinner indoors where guests were seated communally at two extra long (and beautifully adorned) tables. The reception was back outside, where guests were invited to dance beneath twinkling white lights strung from the trees.

It was my first time at ‘The Tavern at Lark Creek‘ but it will definitely not be my last. Talk about the perfect venue! With indoor & outdoor space, both equally beautiful and inviting, friendly service and so much warmth and charm- ‘The Tavern’ will go down in my books as my favorite wedding location ever.

Jessica was just as beautiful as she was relaxed, and  she literally  glowed. This is one radiantly beautiful woman! The couple are expecting their first child together in just a few months, and I think that the presence of that gorgeous belly brought a certain extra bit of tenderness to the whole event. The love between this couple just oozes out of them, and their baby is just the perfect manifestation of that love.

One of the best parts of my job is that I get to be welcomed into the lives of the people I shoot. I am with them during some of the most incredible, private and memorable moments in their lives. Every time I shoot a wedding, I feel like I walk away with more friends, and Kris & Jessica (and all their incredible family & friends!) were no exception. Massive congratulations to them on both their incredible wedding, and their wee-one! I hope to meet him or her very soon!

xoxo

Stacey and Cale

Stacey & Cale. August 08/2010.

‘The Prestige‘ Resort, Salmon Arm British Columbia Canada

♥

Imagine your bestfriend in highschool. You meet on the first day of the 8th grade, and form an immediate friendship that goes on to last years, a decade, and longer. You have dozens of mutual friends, thousands of amazing fond memories, and endless hopes for the future. Now, imagine that that precious, cherished friend is getting married. And you are trusted with the task of photographing the big event. It is an honor, a privilege and SO MUCH FUN.

Stacey & Cale tied the knot in a large (yet, amazingly intimate feeling) wedding on a sunny afternoon in ‘Salmon Arm, British Columbia’. Their 250 guests nearly filled the entire resort, so for days following the big day it felt almost like summer camp. With countless familiar faces all dining together, relaxing together, laughing together and anticipating the Wedding Day.

Their day was full of personalized touches– Yellow & Orange were the colours (the Groom & Brides favorite colours, respectively), tables named after their favorite movies and ‘movie trivia’ in order to have your table called for dinner. It was a great day, and a very special shoot for me. It’s not every day that one of your very favorite people on the entire planet gets married, after all!

Thank you Stacey & Cale for letting me share in such intimate and special moments with you guys (I still tear up thinking about how Cale cried when he first saw Stacey in her dress… and I truly feel blessed that I was the only one in the room with them to see it happen) and thank you for trusting me to capture your big day with style and pizazz. I love you guys so much!