Amanda and Ryan

Montreal born Amanda and Ryan had the challenge of planning their wedding long distance since they are now living in San Francisco. Amanda and I spent the first couple of months bouncing ideas off of each other via e-mail, which is actually harder than one might think. I started piecing together all the details in my head, all while thinking not only is this going to be beautiful, it is going to be fun. When we were finally able to meet up it felt as though we were really on the same page, which is always a good sign.

Things can get crazy a wedding day, especially since I needed to actually finish the centerpieces on site otherwise they were not going to fit in my car. I was hoping that I was going to get the chance to see Amanda, but I sent the bouquets and boutonnieres upstairs in the trusted hands of bridesmaids and continued on with the finishing touches.

All of a sudden I hear the very excited Amanda. She could not believe how beautiful the arrangements were. More beautiful than she could have ever imagined, and even better than what she saw on Pinterest were some of the few things she had to say. I think had a smile that stretched form ear to ear when I heard that. It is always such a relief knowing that i was able to successfully take what she was envisioning for her and Ryan’s big day and make it a reality.

Below are a few pictures taken by yours truly. I will say it again and again, I do flowers not photos. I leave that to the very talented photographers that this city has to offer, but I always like to share a few photos that capture behind the scened if you will.

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Here are the real jaw dropping photos taken by James Paul Correia and Kelvin Gooding.

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You can read what Amanda and Ryan had to say about their experience in the testimonials section.

Here are all the wonderful people who made this event come to life, in case you are looking at this and thinking to yourself: ” This is exactly what I want”.

Photographers: James Paul Correia and Kelvin Gooding
Coordinator: Allison at A Belle Affair Weddings and Events
Venue: Auberge Saint-Gabriel
DJ: DJ Shane
Hair and Makeup: Beauty on Wheels

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Losing a child

A couple of months ago, as I was scrolling through what felt like my thousands of un-read e-mails in my morning clean out ritual, there was one from my son’s daycare with the title: “lost for words”. I have to admit it I clicked on it rather apprehensively. All I kept thinking was: ” My God please don’t let anything have happened to one of the kids”.

Well it was a child, but not one under the age of six. It was the owner’s son,her baby, who was 32 years young. He was involved in a motorcycle accident in South Africa, and Cathy of course left immediately. We did not see her for almost a month. When she did finally come back and I saw her in her office I gently stepped in, and told her very honestly that I had no idea what to say. I stepped over to her and gave her a hug, and we both fought to hold back tears.

A memorial service was held her in Montreal for family and friends who were not able to make the journey over to South Africa. When I was asked to do the flowers all I could think was that it needs to be vibrant, vibrant colours for a vibrant young man.

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