Edmonton Wedding Moment – Dao + Joseph

Date: August 21st, 2010
Ceremony Location: Matrix Hotel
Formals: Henrietta Louis Edwards Park
Flowers: Graham & Lane Florists

What can I say about Dao & Joseph’s wedding that we photographed this past Saturday? It was such a blast from beginning to end. I only met Dao a few weeks ago after they made a last minute decision to go in a different direction with their wedding photography and I am so happy that they decided to choose us to capture their day. I knew from the minute I met Dao, that she was going to be so much fun to photograph and that their wedding day was going to be amazing!

In a rare treat, we were able to do all of the photography prior to the actual ceremony. Our day started on the grounds of McNally School where we met the whole wedding party and family members for photographs overlooking Edmonton’s beautiful River Valley. Unfortunately due to the forest fires in BC, our view of downtown Edmonton was a little hazy but we still managed to create some great family photographs with everyone.

From there we released the family members and headed down the road to Henrietta Louise Edwards Park to photograph Dao and her handsome husband Joseph along with the rest of their wedding party. Joseph and his groomsmen were looking very dapper in their tuxedos and Dao & her bridesmaids were stunning in their gorgeous gowns. When we first met, Dao expressed to me that she didn’t really care for urban style photos and wanted to be surrounded by nature. The night before I did some scouting in the area and found some awesome trails to shoot in so special thanks to the girls for navigating the dirt trails in their high heels in the name of great photography. We had a lot of fun and I also learned that when a bride’s gotta go – she’s gotta go. Sorry Dao, I couldn’t resist sharing that story but I know you’re a great sport.

After we were done shooting in the river valley, it was off to the gorgeous Matrix Hotel for the ceremony and reception along with a few more photo opportunities with just the bride and groom. Joseph’s cousin Tina is a world class belly dancer and she performed a fantastic dance routine after the ceremony which got everyone up and dancing; particularly Joeph’s dad Ismat! Before the reception kicked off, we snuck off with the happy couple for a few quick portraits around the hotel and then it was time for the reception.

The meal was delicious and the speeches and party that followed were filled with plenty of emotion and laughter. Sarah and I both held back a few tears during the speeches when Dao started to tell the story of how her parents had fled the war in Vietnam over 30 years ago, leaving behind everything in search of a better life in Canada.

After the speeches, the party got rolling and the dance floor was hopping. Then it was time for the bouquet and garter toss and for the first time in my life, I was witness to one bridesmaid taking down another bridesmaid to catch the bouquet. Her head hit the dance floor and everyone froze for a moment but  thankfully nobody was injured and she popped to her feet no worse for wear. The same could not be said for the bouquet however as it lay in a thousand pieces on the floor. Then it was garter toss time but Dao had taken it off earlier in the evening and couldn’t locate it so a dinner napkin had to take it’s place. Being a fellow north sider, I joked with Dao about being a true north side girl and her ghetto garter.

Thanks again Dao & Joseph for choosing us to be your wedding photographers. We had such a blast and can’t wait to get together with you to show you the rest of your photographs from your amazing day. Hope you had a great honeymoon in Montreal and enjoy this sneak peek.