Vancouver January 2010 Wedding. Robyn & Graeme.

I wore the ugliest pretty sweater I could find at Value Village to this one Christmas ‘ugly sweater’ party my best friend Polina dragged me out to. Glass of wine in hand, the last thing I expected was to connect with a gorgeous bride-to-be, whose wedding was a few weeks away … and she didn’t have a photographer!

Robyn & Graeme have a story. The kind you would believe to be an urban myth if you didn’t know them, the kind that you retell to your grandkids. And their kids. I’m afraid I can’t do the story justice, but I will give you a few quick facts… They became friends in Grade 2. Some years later, Robyn was the first girl Graeme asked out … but it was for his friend! As teens, they told each other everything about the one person they like – but didn’t admit to who it was. Well, all they had to do was … point at each other! But they didn’t. They then lost touch and reconnected only in University … and 7 years later Graeme proposed! The rest is to become history…

Robyn’s best friend and incredibly talented Vancouver designer Malene Grotrian made this stunning one-of-a-kind couture wedding gown… The ladies’ hair was done by Blo hair salon, and the make-up – by the fabulous Jenna Fortin. What’s a wedding gown without a little corset tightening!
“Robyn, do you think he will cry?” … “Hm, one tear. He will cry one tear.” There was something about this first 2010 wedding that I was looking forward to most – the First Look… I was so thrilled when Robyn & Graeme agreed to see each other for the first time before the ceremony! We decided to meet in Gastown, in the character building of  Malene’s cozy studio. While Robyn was getting ready earlier in the morning, Beyonce’s ‘Halo’ came on and she casually mentioned that she loves the song and even considered it for their first dance – needless to say, I had the perfect candidate for the ‘First Look’ song to play for them on my tireless boom box! Ah! But let’s back up for a moment. Graeme slowly walked up the stairs to meet his radiant soulmate on the 9th floor… Standing in the light of his halo… The weather was incredible for January, but it POURED, DRIZZLED, and simply RAINED the whole afternoon! Robyn & Graeme were such troupers, shedding their umbrella for me for some timeless urban bridal portraits. I loved my first Vancouver wedding in the rain. Loved it. I caught Robyn running into this Gastown alley as I tripped over a puddle… It’s out of focus, but I love the ‘runaway-bride’ effect! And a little saucy grunge of a typical Vancouver back alley. Robyn is amazing. She is so kind, genuine, and gorgeous … I loved every moment with her! I was really excited to take Robyn & Graeme to the famous Vancouver Gastown Blood Alley… The perfect overcast sky over Stanley Park was our next location for more bridal portraits. By then I was so soaked, there was no point in hiding under an umbrellaMy faithful Canon 5D Mark II was being shamelessly tested for its waterproof features, but my favorite 50mm 1.2L lens fogged up… Before I took off the protective filter, here’s a portrait of Robyn I snapped… I actually love this effect! A moment later, the lens cover is off… Robyn, you are my star. And her gorgeous bouquet was made by her mom Patsy. So much love in that arrangement! The ceremony time was approaching and we made our way to the Vancouver Stanley Park Wedding Chapel. Here are some adorable moments with Robyn’s nieces – figure out for yourself which one of the following happened first Robyn is minutes away from saying ‘I do.’ Robyn & Graeme had a beautiful reception at the Le Gavroche, an ambient French restaurant in an old Victorian house on Vancouver’s Alberni Street. Both Robyn and Graeme’s parents were such a blast! To the left, Graeme’s dad recalls seeing Robyn for the first time many years ago and thinking to himself, ‘What a babe!’  The little precious boots atop of this heavenly cake made by Graeme’s sister Amber have been in the family for over a 100 years. Robyn & Graeme, you are exceptional people, thank you so much for sharing your beautiful wedding with me! e-mail katya |  view portfolio | connect with katya on facebook and twitter