June 30, 2011
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We’ll be featuring some of our favourite items and details from our clients’ events in a series called A Few of Our Favourite Things. First up is one of the more practical elements of a wedding: chairs.
After completing a design scheme, choosing linens, selecting napkins, centrepieces and other décor elements, everything feels perfect to bring your dream wedding to life.
But there’s another thing to remember – chairs!
Andras Schram Photography
Chairs might seem like a frivolous design element, but they serve many purposes. First, they’ll be photographed along with your reception décor and part of your memories for years to come.
Your chair selection can help coordinate other design and décor elements – Jennifer and Cam’s wedding at the Fairmont Palliser incorporated touches of gold, including table numbers, chargers, centrepieces – and chairs.
You’ll also spend hours sitting in said chairs, enjoying dinner and speeches – so you want to ensure your chairs are beautiful and comfortable!
One of our favourite chairs is the classic Chiavari. Originating from the town of Chiavari along the Mediterranean coast of Italy, these chairs are constructed of wood, and come in a milieu of colours and chair cushion options.
Andras Schram Photography
For Janet and Jeff’s Lake Louise wedding, we adorned each Chiavari with an organza tie and hung florals on each chair at the head table.
Alan Maudie Photography
We’re always looking for ways to add more colour, texture and florals to an event – so we’ll often tuck a bloom into a chair wrap for an extra special touch.
Alan Maudie Photography
One of the quickest ways to transform a banquet chair found at all venues is to use wraps – which come in a range of fabrics and colours – so you can use the existing chairs in your venue and incorporate to your décor design. We used chocolate brown and cream wraps for Shawnette and Will’s Silvertip Resort Wedding to tie in with their scheme of chocolate, blush and celadon.
Orange Girl Photographs
Chiavari chairs continue to be a popular choice with the influx of new colors all the time. This chocolate color is popular with many of our mountain weddings because of its rustic charm. We embellished this aisle chairs by tying a simple nosegay of orchids here.
Orange Girl Photographs
The below photo is of a ruffled chair scarf on a Chameleon Chair. Only the chairs at the head table of this fantastic fairy tale wedding had the exclusive ruffle décor, to show a different style than the rest of the overall reception tables. Chameleon chairs are very versatile because they can be dressed in so many different ways hundreds of options exist in the marketplace… which is just how we like it!
Orange Girl Photographs
Finally, one of the hottest products on the market has to be the Louis Ghost chair – featured in some of the most trendy hotels and homes, this chair has been seen at weddings and social events for the last couple of years and continues to be a sting choice of clients. We used the iconic chair and incorporated a monogrammed decal for a client’s 25th birthday party.
Alan Maudie Photography
Alan Maudie Photography
Whatever your preference or scheme, chairs make a lasting impact on your wedding memories for years to come.
June 25, 2011
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Our Vendor Love series features some of our favourite wedding vendors – and today we’re profiling Alan Maudie of Alan Maudie Photography, who has been part of some of the most incredible LFW weddings. Check out his site for his stunning weddings, couples and landscape photography.
Alan Maudie Photography
What’s your top tip for couples looking for a wedding photographer?
Shop with your heart. When initially viewing a photographers work if you aren’t moved emotionally by their images move on to another photographer. Hire the photographer who’s work you see as the best visual description of what you want to see in your own wedding photos. Don’t fall into the trap of hiring the photographer who’s offering you the most stuff (albums, prints, etc…) at the lowest price. What’s the point of having an album full of images you don’t like, or a disk with thousands of photos on them that don’t reflect the things about your relationship and wedding that are most important to you.
Alan Maudie Photography
Do you ever have any “wow” moments in your job?
Quite a bit actually. I was the photographer for the events that LFW has recently won big awards for, so I definitely said wow a lot while shooting on those days. Those are the obvious “wows” though. The ones I like best are the surprises, like the father of the bride who doesn’t seem like the type that will cry but ends up cracking during the father daughter dance. I guess the emotional “wows” are my favourite.
Alan Maudie Photography
What style do you like to shoot in – formal, posed, spontaneous, journalistic? -
My approach is to be as discreet and subtle as possible so that I can create and capture images that look like the couple or subject weren’t aware they were being photographed. I really, really wish I could be invisible. Most of my favourite photos are taken when the subject is either unaware of the camera, or they are so comfortable or caught up in the moment they have forgotten about being photographed. Obviously it isn’t possible to be completely invisible, but my personal experience with using a second photographer or even sometimes an assistant is that its much harder to go unnoticed and everyone at the wedding is much more aware of the camera. For the portrait session, even though I am technically “posing” couples, my goal is to get them into a starting position and then let them relax into an expression that is true to them. Sometimes I just say something to get them to laugh or I’ll just leave them alone for a while and they find their true expression. If you need a label for that I guess you can call it the “Alan Maudie Style.”
ALAN MAUDIE PHOTOGRAPHY
What trends are you seeing in the photography industry that apply to weddings?
My personal opinion is that wedding photography is a bit too influenced by trends. A couple years ago “texturing” images in post production became really popular. If I got married in 2008 and my album was full of photos that look like someone smeared mud all over them (texture), I’m not sure how thrilled I would be about that look now in 2011. I’m all for developing new finishes and experimenting with post production, but I think when you are working on a real wedding photographers should be thinking in terms of longevity. Sorry for the rant, I haven’t really addressed your question yet. The one thing (not really a trend I hope) I see in photography and film that is refreshing is more and more reality. Major ad campaigns being shot with natural lighting (or expensive lighting set ups that strive to look like natural light). This is a sign to me that consumers are connecting more with imagery that looks real. Maybe as viewers we have matured and the digital post production gimmicks aren’t as appealing any more.
ALAN MAUDIE PHOTOGRAPHY
How did you know you wanted to be a wedding photographer? Do you do any other styles of shooting – family, maternity, fashion, stock, commercial? If so, how does this influence how you shoot a wedding?
I was never struck by lightning, so to speak. I love all types of photography and capturing people is one aspect of photography that is particularly appealing to me. My approach to photographing weddings from the start was to record them the exact same way I would want my own wedding photographed (if I could do it again). People really connected with that and when I would sit down with them they would go out of their way to try and describe to me why they liked my wedding photography. It was probably this feedback that encouraged me to dedicate a greater percentage of my time to photographing weddings.
I don’t consider myself a “wedding photographer”, I’m a photographer who photographs weddings and lots of other things. Basically, I’ll photograph anything that interests and challenges me. When weddings are no longer interesting to a photographer, that photographer really owes it to couples to stop photographing weddings. To photograph weddings properly your heart has to be leading you.
When doing a commercial shoot you have to identify who the audience is. What are you trying to sell with the photographs? Once you have these two things identified you can create a much stronger more valuable set of images for the client. When photographing a wedding I always keep in mind that the couple that hired me is the audience and that I’m trying to create images that will impress them and that they will love forever. Sometimes that means focusing less on all the tools and techniques at my disposal, and more on the couples relationship. Less tech, more love.
ALAN MAUDIE PHOTOGRAPHY
Many couples are uncomfortable with being in front of a camera – how do you work to create the ease and beauty that shows through in your photos?
Honestly, I have no real idea. I never thought about it or came up with a strategy to make people comfortable. I’m a slow runner, have a pretty bad memory for things like phone numbers, I can only draw stick men, I can’t dance,… etc., but apparently people feel comfortable when I photograph them. Play on your strengths I guess.
Thank you Alan, for sharing your insight and thoughts on the LFW Blog!
ALAN MAUDIE PHOTOGRAPHY
ALAN MAUDIE PHOTOGRAPHY
ALAN MAUDIE PHOTOGRAPHY
ALAN MAUDIE PHOTOGRAPHY
ALAN MAUDIE PHOTOGRAPHY
ALAN MAUDIE PHOTOGRAPHY
January 18, 2011
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We’re back with the stunning finale of Matt and Julia’s New Years Eve wedding! Special thanks again to Kirstie Tweed of Orange Girl Photographs for her amazing photos of Matt and Julia’s special day.
Following their emotional ceremony, our newlyweds took advantage of the incredible scenery at the Chateau Lake Louise for some amazing – albeit freezing! – wedding photos.
Orange Girl Photographs
Julia added a fur stole, mitts and adorable boots for their after-wedding shoot.
Orange Girl Photographs
Orange Girl Photographs
Loved the coordinating socks of Matt and his groomsmen!
Orange Girl Photographs
Back inside the Chateau Lake Louise, the party was just getting started. One of our favourite décor elements was the 16-foot ice bar – complete with not one, but two martini luges!
Orange Girl Photographs
A princess slipper for Julia:
Orange Girl Photographs
And a slipper for one of Matt’s favourite pastimes – hockey!
Orange Girl Photographs
Matt and Julia wanted a winter bling look and feel to their wedding – and lighting was a big part of the décor. The room was awash in pinks, blushes and lavenders throughout the evening.
Orange Girl Photographs
Watching guests enter the ballroom was an amazing moment. The space had been transformed into a winter wonderland – with more than one guest gasping when they entered the space.
Orange Girl Photographs
Amidst the round tables, we incorporated a rectangular head table. This allowed Matt and Julia to sit at the head of the table as the guests of honour and still easily converse with their wedding party throughout dinner.
Orange Girl Photographs
We dressed each of the head table chameleon chairs with ruffled slipcovers – the perfect touch for the special table.
Orange Girl Photographs
Each place setting featured a gold charger, napkin and one delicious favours from Bedazzle My BonBons.
Orange Girl Photographs
To complete the winter bling look, the centerpiece trees featured gorgeous phalaenopsis orchids, gold glittered branches, hanging votives and feathers, dripping with strands of crystals.
Orange Girl Photographs
Orange Girl Photographs
There is nothing like flickering candlelight to add a sense of romance and warmth to a room. Candles were an integral part to the lighting story for Matt and Julia’s wedding – votives on the tables, hanging from the centrepiees, and floating candles in front of the ballroom’s fireplace.
Orange Girl Photographs
Matt and Julia’s wedding cake stood prominently beneath the canopy which they were married under. The four-layer confection was delicious and topped with more orchids and Bedazzle My Bon Bons!
Orange Girl Photographs
Guests were treated to an unbelievable meal – complete with sorbet as palette cleansers between courses.
Orange Girl Photographs
After dinner and speeches, guests took to the dance floor. The floor was kept packed all night thanks to Alan Smithson of Smithson Martin Inc/Star Productions, who flew in from Toronto for the event. We told you last week about his revolutionary Emulator DJ system – Matt and Julia’s celebration was the world wedding premiere of the Emulator!
Orange Girl Photographs
The couple exchanges a kiss during their first dance with soft snow falling all around them.
Orange Girl Photographs
After her first dance with Matt, Julia shared a special spin on the dance floor with her father. The look of pride on his face brought us to tears – it meant so much to him to give his little girl the wedding of her dreams.
Orange Girl Photographs
Orange Girl Photographs
Matt and Julia, thank you so much for trusting us to bring your wedding dreams to life. We had such an amazing time planning, executing and celebrating with you and your guests. Congratulations again!
Orange Girl Photographs
January 14, 2011
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Today we are thrilled to share our latest Real Wedding with you – Part I of Matt and Julia’s stunning New Year’s Eve wedding at the Chateau Lake Louise. Special thanks to Kirstie Tweed of Orange Girl Photographs who was on hand throughout the weekend to capture the celebration.
The night before their wedding, Matt and Julia’s families hosted an outdoor ice bar – complete with scotch, cigars, candelight in the snow walls and temperatures hovering near -30 degrees!
Orange Girl Photographs
Many of the guests traveled from Winnipeg for their wedding, so were very prepared for the chilly weather – it was a great way to kick off their festivities and the ski suit attire was an event in itself!
Orange Girl Photographs
Orange Girl Photographs
Lake Louise is a very dear place for Julia’s family and was the perfect place for her wedding. Every winter, on their family ski trip to Lake Louise, Julia would tell her father that someday she would be married at the Chateau on New Year’s Eve!
Orange Girl Photographs
Julia’s dog Dallas was the star of the show decked out in many designer outfits and was a constant presence throughout the whole weekend!
Orange Girl Photographs
Julia is the ultimate girly girl and her bridal fashion didn’t disappoint. We loved her Oscar de la Renta shoes and her bouquet was the perfect combination of traditional meets glitz.
Orange Girl Photographs
Orange Girl Photographs
The stunning bride dressed and ready to be married.
Orange Girl Photographs
Julia is very close to her parents and especially her father. When she was about 10 years old, she stood in the Victoria Ballroom with her Dad and said to him, “Daddy, when I get married someday, I want it to be on New Years Eve in this very room.” Twenty or so years later, the phone rang and Julia told her father, “I’m engaged and guess where I’m getting married!” After that, he knew exactly who to call to make it happen: Chad Mendleman at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise!
Nothing made her father more proud than to give his eldest daughter the wedding of her dreams just as she had predicted it years before.
Orange Girl Photographs
The Lynn Fletcher Wedding team helped create the wedding ceremony of Matt and Julia’s dreams – simple white décor, flickering candlelight, and stunning lighting to accentuate the Chateau’s famous architecture.
Orange Girl Photographs
Julia’s father escorted his little girl down the aisle to meet her husband to be. The date they chose for their wedding was especially important to Matt and Julia – three years prior, Matt asked Julia out on their first official date. New Years holds many memories for them, so it was a perfect date for their wedding.
Orange Girl Photographs
Matt later told us his favourite moment of the wedding was watching Julia walk down the aisle towards him – he was struck with the magnitude and emotion of the moment.
Orange Girl Photographs
The couple exchanging vows during their emotional ceremony.
Orange Girl Photographs
Orange Girl Photographs
Sealed with a kiss – the happy couple are married!
Orange Girl Photographs
Congratulations as the newlyweds proceed back down the aisle!
Orange Girl Photographs
Stay tuned for Matt and Julia’s stunning reception coverage and some of the photos they braved in -25 weather for!
January 7, 2011
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We’re back with another sneak peek from Matt and Julia’s New Year Eve wedding at Lake Louise. DJ Alan Smithson from Smithson Martin was on hand to keep the dance floor packed – with the world wedding premiere of the Emulator system!
Lynn Fletcher Weddings
The Emulator is a brand new, revolutionary product for DJs – the world’s first and only transparent multi-touch system for professional DJ use. It allows the crowd to see exactly how a DJ is spinning the music and be part of the experience.
Lynn Fletcher Weddings
Guests can also doodle a message or include a monogram on the Emulator – so you can be part of the DJ’ing fun!
Lynn Fletcher Weddings
Even the bride Julia got in on the action!
Lynn Fletcher Weddings
Congrats again to Julia and Matt – and thanks to Alan from Smithson Martin for spinning the music on New Years Eve!
January 4, 2011
By admin | 4 Comments
Our Vendor Love series features some of our favourite wedding vendors – and today we’re profiling Kirstie Tweed from Orange Girl Photographs, who has shot some of our most memorable weddings. Check out her adorable website to read all about her love of weddings, mountains, her husband Kevin, and her puppy Leroy!
Orange Girl Photographs
1. For couples looking for a wedding photographer, what’s the top tip you can share?
A photographer’s website is the first place to start when trying to get a sense of a photographer’s style – I also recommend looking at their blog to get an idea of their personality, current work and how they approach a wedding. Whenever possible it’s a great idea to meet with photographers before signing a contract to make sure you are a right fit for each other. A photographer will be with you throughout your wedding day during intimate moments, so it’s important you feel at ease with them.
Orange Girl Photographs
Once you’ve found your photographer engagement sessions are incredibly valuable. It not only gives you a chance to get comfortable being in front of the camera but you’ll get a sense of how your photographer works in a much more in depth way. I love getting feedback on engagement photographs from couples – if I know what images they love most from their engagement session I can use that feedback when I’m creating their wedding photographs. I find that wedding days are much more at ease with couples I have shot engagement photos of because we’ve developed a relationship.
Orange Girl Photographs
2. What’s your shooting style – formal, posed, spontaneous, journalistic?
The unique thing about weddings is that you need to be able to shoot different styles in all kinds of situations. It’s really important for me to capture the emotions and moments that make up a wedding day as well as capture all the details that a couple thoughtfully included in their day. What I what most for my clients is that they feel relaxed and comfortable, have fun and don’t feel awkward or rushed. My approach has always been to find the location and light I want to photograph in first and then find ways that allow couples to interact with each other in a way that feels comfortable and real to them. I want them to pay more attention to each other than to me and my camera.
Orange Girl Photographs
3. What trends are you seeing in the photography industry?
I started out by shooting film. I shot medium format and worked in the darkroom. What I learned from shooting film was that I needed to learn light, to get my images right in camera and not rely on Photoshop. Photographers are discovering a love of film again – many started out shooting digitally and never worked with film. Now that they are discovering film I am seeing the influence of that approach – a return to more natural looking images, less processed and a more timeless approach.
Orange Girl Photographs
4. You live in Banff – an amazing town in the Rockies! Why did you choose Banff, and what about the area are you passionate about?
I grew up in Calgary and after art school moved to San Francisco for about 10 years. During that time I met and fell deeply in love with Kevin. He wanted to see where I grew up and we planned a trip home to Canada. During that trip I took Kevin up the Banff Gondola and while we took in the view he turned to me and said “How could you ever leave this place?” It was those words that began my move home to Canada. Shortly after we married we made Banff our home and have felt incredibly lucky to live in such an inspiring place.
Orange Girl Photographs
The light and the weather change constantly here so the mountains never look the same way twice. There is a beauty and peace here that is unlike any place I have ever been. What I love about photographing here is the type of couples a Rocky Mountain wedding attracts. I work with passionate couples who love the outdoors and they tend to be a hearty bunch – take for example a couple that Lynn and I worked with recently who held an outdoor ceremony surrounded by mountains and snow in -15 in December. I am constantly inspired.
Orange Girl Photographs
5. You often shoot with your husband Kevin – tell us more about working together.
I am incredibly lucky to work with Kevin. He understands me in a way that no one else does. We can communicate without talking and he often knows what I need before I do. He’s a calming influence for me and is gentle, soft spoken, very thoughtful and has a huge heart. I am amazed at how hard Kevin works on wedding days with me – he carries all of my gear so I can move quickly, is a second set of eyes and helps me with lighting. I couldn’t do what I do without him.
There is something really unique about getting to share all the special moments that you witness at a wedding with your husband; it reminds us of our beginnings. There have been some really moving moments during weddings that I am thankful Kevin and I got to witness together.
Orange Girl Photographs
6. Why are you passionate about wedding photography?
I have tried a lot of different types of photography and nothing has had more meaning or been more rewarding to me than shooting weddings. I’ve worked in a fine art photography gallery, exhibited my work, worked for a fashion photographer, photographed bands and did advertising work. It wasn’t until a friend asked me to shoot their wedding and told me to do whatever I wanted that I never looked back. I fell in love with the emotions of the day. Wedding photographs are incredible documents a couple dedicating themselves to each other surrounded by those that they love the most. Every weekend my “job” means getting to see a couple totally in love become husband and wife. Not many jobs involve that kind of environment. My camera allows me to witness some beautiful moments.
Orange Girl Photographs
7. What’s your favourite part of a wedding – getting ready photos, ceremony, reception, etc.?
My favourite part of a wedding are those moments when a couple really enjoys the day they have planned for so long. I love when the bride sees herself in her dress for the first time, the first time the groom gets to see his bride, the small glances during a ceremony, the recessional when a couple is Married. I love and cherish my time alone with a couple during photographs when I get to see them be with each other, the toasts when they are real and emotional and moving, the first dance when a couple gets to spend a moment together as husband and wife knowing they are married and their day was a success. My favourite parts of any wedding are the moments when couples express their love for each other and their friends and family and lose themselves in the emotions and enjoy their day.
Thank you Kirstie, for sharing your insight and thoughts on the LFW Blog!
Orange Girl Photographs
January 3, 2011
By admin | No Comments
There are moments when it’s clear we’re so lucky to bring to life the dreams, inspiration and visions our clients have had of their wedding. When we’re surrounded by incredible clients, vendors and guests at magical events.
We had an amazing time producing Matt and Julia’s New Year’s Eve wedding at the Chateau Lake Louise – the incredible Kirstie Tweed from Orange Girl Photographs was on hand to capture the photos. Below is a teaser pic from their wedding – congrats again Julia and Matt!
Orange Girl Photographs
January 2, 2011
By admin | 4 Comments
We’re thrilled to announce that Lynn Fletcher Weddings is now part of Style Me Pretty’s Little Black Book! You can check out our profile over at Style Me Pretty, view some of our wedding photos, and connect with some of the stellar vendors operating in and around the Calgary/Rocky Mountains area.
A big shout out to Abby and the rest of the Style Me Pretty crew for including us in the Little Black Book!
December 31, 2010
By admin | No Comments
Alan Maudie Photography
Whether you’re celebrating at a big bash, enjoying dinner out with friends or snuggling with your sweetie at home, we at Lynn Fletcher Weddings wish you a Happy New Year. The LFW crew is in Lake Louise producing the wedding of our clients tying the knot tonight!
Stay safe and enjoy yourselves – we’ll be back in the new year with more real weddings, tips and advice!
Love,
Lynn Fletcher Weddings
December 30, 2010
By admin | 3 Comments
Hope everyone had a fantastic Christmas! We are thrilled to be back to share today’s Real Wedding with you: Tom and Brenda’s winter wedding at the Delta Kananaskis.
Andras Schram Photography
Being a wedding planner is more than just coordinating flowers, reception details and décor elements. We share some of life’s most intimate moments when a couple and their family dedicates themselves to each other amongst their friends and loved ones. It’s an incredible responsibility that we’re so fortunate to be part of.The incredibly talented Andras Schram was on hand to capture the couple’s day – check out his stunning shots below.
Andras Schram Photography
Tom and Brenda wanted a warm, close-knit celebration of their relationship and family – a wedding truly focused on the love they share. They chose Kananaskis – an area nestled between Calgary and Banff National Park – to bring together family and friends for an unforgettable celebration. We loved the potted plants brought in for their ceremony décor – simple and sweet!
Andras Schram Photography
Tom and Brenda both have children from previous marriages, so their wedding was truly a family affair. Their children played as big of a part of their wedding day as the bride and groom. Each of their children exchanged vows, to symbolize the true joining of both families – a gesture that brought guests (and us!) to tears.
Andras Schram Photography
Tom and Brenda also included their guests in the ceremony with a unique twist on the popular sand ceremony. Each guest was given a vial of sand to hold during the ceremony and were asked to come forward and pour the sand over river rocks inscribed with the family’s names. An impromptu receiving line occurred as Tom and Brenda were able to personally greet each of the friends and family members who had travelled to celebrate with them.
Andras Schram Photography
Following their ceremony, Tom and Brenda celebrated with their guests while Christmas trees twinkled around a campfire outside.
Andras Schram Photography
We used chocolate brown linens and river rocks to continue the theme from Tom and Brenda’s ceremony. And there’s nothing like flickering candlelight to make a space glow.
Andras Schram Photography
One of our favourite touches was the cake – each of the figures on the confection was painstakingly hand-carved by Tom, and represented their family: a little wild, fun-loving, and of course, tight knit.
Andras Schram Photography
Tom sent us the sweetest email after their wedding:
“You know how you asked what was the most memorable part or experience about the wedding … well, today it came to me in bright lights. The most memorable part of the wedding is that I remembered everything. I enjoyed it and I wasn’t stressed about what I had or wanted to do. The day after my first wedding, I couldn’t remember the wedding day. The difference from my wedding with Brenda was that I had the opportunity to remember and to cherish all the moments. And I would do it again – of course, to the same person.”
Tom and Brenda, congrats again on your incredible wedding and allowing us to be a part of your special day!
Andras Schram Photography
