Sailaway Getaway

Is there anything more romantic that taking to the sea with the one you love?

After a three-day-wedding-extravaganza during the hottest weekend of the year, Chris & I snuck out of the office to hoist the sails on our baby Good Scout. No phone, no internet, no cameras (well, other than the little point&shoot).

We tied down the kayaks to the deck, stocked the galley with wine and cheese, and motored our cosy 29-foot Nor’sea out of the harbour towards the northern San Juan Islands.

It was a perfect blue-sky day and once we got to Georgia Strait, we let her rip! Woo-hoo ~what an exhilarating feeling it is to be flying across the ocean swells with the wind in your sails!

We got to Echo Bay just in time for sunset and a glass (or two) of wine. We spent the next day exploring Sucia Island (once the refuge of rum-runners and opium-smugglers) by foot and by kayak.

And although I was a little surprised by the riptides...

Paddling past the sandstone caves was awesome!

A sail on Good Scout - the perfect mid-week escape! Now back to weddings!

Jessica+Gonz

Gonz – you gotta love this guy! Though he said he was nervous about being in front of the camera, he is pure magic ~ and it doesn’t hurt that his fiancée Jessica just happens to look like a covergirl!

During their e-session, he stopped traffic for us, found the best routes to our locations, and gave restaurant advice to some British tourists who thought the couple were celebrities on a photo shoot! And why not? They looked like stars as they checked each other out in front of our favourite blue wall...

Snuggled up in a doorway...

And got passionate under the bridge...

And Gonz kept his girl warm when Chris wanted to get “just one last shot” on the bridge after dark (it was worth it – dontcha just love the light trails?!).

Congratulations guys! And don’t forget – “It’s good to be Gonz!”

Lisa+Kevin

Cool, calm, and totally cute, Lisa and Kevin were a blast to shoot on their engagement session. Lisa was stunning in an emerald green sundress ~ she looked like she should be kicking some bad-guy butt with those other Charlie’s Angels. And Kevin could not keep his eyes off her – the two of them are so obviously in love!

We did some "traditional" shots for the parents...

And then headed off to the east side to wander the redbrick roads and hang with Gassy Jack.

Kevin loves the architecture of this old building so we did some cool urban scenics.

Then we found a steel staircase on the side of a dilapidated old building to do something completely different. These guys were totally into adventure for art’s sake. Who knew making out in an empty lot could be so fun anyway?

Paddling the Sunshine Coast

We’re at the beginning of the 24,000 km highway that winds its way along the coastline all the way down south to Mexico. Route 101 starts here at the tiny village of Lund, and we’re here hanging out, eating super-gooey cinnamon buns on the patio, rock-scrambling along the shoreline, and dangling our legs over the pier while on assignment for British Columbia Magazine (check out our stories Land of Legends and Destination:Clinton in this season's issue currently on newstands).

The waterfront town is on the Sunshine Coast, and it’s pretty darn sunny and smoldering! At over 30 degrees, it’s so hot we decided to go for a dip in the ocean after kayaking over to Savary Island. The little island feels like a tropical oasis with its sweet beaches. It’s so charming, even moody old Captain Vancouver liked it when he passed through some two hundred years ago. It took us a couple hours to paddle over, and we had to navigate some pretty big rollers (well, they felt big in a kayak), but the white sandy beaches we relaxed on for the afternoon were well worth it.

On the way back, the ocean was calm, we saw one bald eagle, and four wide-eyed seals followed us. Nothing like a sunset paddle. And a glass of wine on the patio of The Sunset At the End of the World Restaurant on the shores of Lund.

Rhea+Tim

Rhea and Tim are another awesome LA couple who just love British Columbia! The couple wanted to have their engagement shots here in Vancouver because Rhea lived here while growing up. And because it is truly one of the most beautiful cities in the world!These two cuties first met when they were toddlers. As they got older and went their separate ways, they always kept in contact through letter-writing, and are now set to be married in California this fall!

We had tons of fun traipsing around town together. The four of us all had so much in common. I could not believe it when I found out Rhea, Tim, and I all grew up learning to play Suzuki violin(!).

Hanging out on the seawall.

Getting romantic beneath the seawall.
Mountains, ocean, seastacks...and love

What kind and genuine people~we know their wedding and their life together will be nothing less than beautiful. Congratulations!

Amy+Brian=Fantasy

From the whimsical silk roses hand sewn on her veil and couture gown by Claire Pettibone...

To the butterflies on her bouquet and those released during their ceremony...



To the lush woodland garden by the sea by which the couple had their reception...

Everything about Amy and Brian’s Vancouver Island wedding was like a romantic reverie.... the LA couple's celebration by the ocean was magical.

We wish them all the happiness in the world!

No Susan Lucci Here!

Wow. Chris just returned home today with an Emmy. A real honest-to-goodness Emmy from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. We were so thrilled when we found out his documentary Leaving the Lights was nominated for this prestigious award by the Northwest Chapter of the NATAS; it is truly an amazing honour to win it. And I have to say the statue is pretty darn cool – you wouldn’t believe how heavy it is. I am so proud of him!

~Lynn

Mary+Chad=Romance

We are so lucky! Not only do we have the coolest job ever, we also seem to attract the coolest clients! Case in point: Mary & Chad. This Texas bride has a heart of gold, and was absolutely stunning on her big day. Her blue-eyed Alberta groom Chad GQed it up as well.

The long-distance lovebirds clearly believe in living life to the fullest; every minute of their wedding was one big celebration!

The view from the balcony of room (at one of the classiest venues in Vancouver).

The jewels and the dress: pure glamour.

Orchids were everywhere ~ the flower known to induce passion!

Passion:

I love this dreamy shot; Chad was so romantic with Mary throughout the day...

During their first dance...
And all through the evening...

Congratulations! We wish you both all the romance in the world!

Lisa+Tony=Elegance

Wow! What a wedding! From the ceremony location at the internationally renowned Wedgewood Vancouver Boutique Hotel to the intimate dinner reception in the glow of the lavish Bacchus Dining Room, every aspect of Lisa and Tony’s family wedding was luxurious.

Lisa’s pearls ~ Tony’s first gift to her.

Lisa’s dress ~ a sumptuous Carolina Herrera gown from I Do Bridal salon.

During the ceremony, Tony's son Zach held the rings and looked up to his dad.

Lisa's daughter Linnea; look at those eyes!

Hooray! Husband & Wife!

Celebrating on Robson Street.

And still glowing at the end of the night…

But more memorable than all the details was the love between Tony and Lisa. It was practically tangible! Throughout the day, they took such joy in each other as well as their families – a beautiful day for a beautiful couple! Congratulations.