Victoria BC Documentary Wedding Photographer Lara Eichhorn

Documentary Family and Wedding Photography

Victoria BC Wedding Photography Blog Posts

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Stacy and Hanh are Married

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Stacy and Hanh had a very long, very awesome wedding day in mid-August. The girls got their hair and makeup done at Aveda downtown and a maid of honour’s husband came along with their new baby, which was an adorable distraction.

The couple saw each other for the first time during the ceremony at the Marriott. I think Hanh tries to hide his emotions by making silly faces, which is a pretty cute habit. Stacy and Hanh have a big extended family, which is really important to them, so we took a bunch of family portraits in the plaza outside the hotel. Stacy numbered all the groupings and gave a popsicle stick to everyone saying the numbers of the photos they were in, which made it run really smoothly.

We took a limo around town for portraits in a few places and the wedding party was super patient and smiley throughout. Then we headed back to the hotel for a tea ceremony, followed by a bit of relaxing in the hotel room (which was actually one of my favourite parts).

Hanh and Stacy had a lot of great ideas for the reception, including playing rock paper scissors against guests who wanted them to kiss (if they lost, they had to kiss – if the guest lost, they had to kiss someone) and having a bunch of guests come up and teach everyone a dance move. The dance floor was super lively for hours and I was totally exhausted by the end, but the photos were more than worth it.

Venue/catering: Marriott Inner Harbour Hotel
DJ: DJ OMC, Eric Chan
Florist: Eurosa, Save on Foods (Shelbourne location)
Hair and make-up: Aveda Institute Victoria
Cake: Ooh La La Cupcakes
Officiant: Teresa Kojder
Bride’s dress: Luz Bridal (Mori Lee)
Groom’s suit: Black and Lee Tuxedo and Suit Rentals
Photobooth: Luna Photolounge
Transportation: Alpine Limos

Blaine and Zach are Married

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Blaine and Zach were married at The Beach House Restaurant in mid-August. First, we met up at the top of Mt. Doug for some portraits. I was chatting with Blaine recently and he said he felt much more comfortable because they’d done an engagement session, and I think that really shows in these photos.

The ceremony was sweet and emotional. Afterwards, they had some photos taken with both friends and family. This was a smaller wedding and clearly everyone there had so much love for these two. There were plenty of tears during the toasts, even a few from me.

They cheered everyone up after with a round of The Shoe Game, but with a twist that the guests got to vote too (the game involves questions about the couple and they have to hold up the shoe of whoever is the answer to the question). Adding the guests in made it even funnier than usual. I stuck around a bit past my scheduled time because I wanted to see Zach and Blaine dance together, but Blaine had to spend a bit of time at the bar first. It was totally worth it. From the great moves that were happening when I left, I could tell they were going to have an amazing night.

Venue/catering: The Beach House Restaurant
Officiant: Eugene Rubin
Decor: Designer Weddings

Cathy and Mark are Married

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Cathy and Mark got married at their new townhouse a couple of days before Christmas. I adore backyard weddings, but actual in-home weddings are much rarer and I love them too. It’s so cool for the couple to build wonderful memories with all of their family and friends in their own home, and to have photos to remember it all by.

Mark and Cathy are a relaxed, fun loving couple, surrounded by hilarious and loving siblings and the couple’s own adult children. They had a food truck cater their wedding and beautiful Christmassy decor. The ladies walked down the stairs to the ceremony to ukulele music played by bridesmaid Haruka. Iain Hooey had the crowd laughing, as usual, during the ceremony and they finished off with a handfasting by maid-of-honour Susan.

Cathy’s brothers kept the mood light with hilarious speeches, while Mark’s sisters got a bit more emotional, including some original poetry. They had a first dance while the guests started eating and I left them to a relaxed, social afternoon with their loved ones.

Hair/makeup: Erin Bradley
Officiant: Iain Hooey
Catering: Open Water Catering
Flowers: Foxgloves Flowers
Cake: Patisserie Daniel
Dress: Luz Bridal

Nicola and Kallol are Married

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Nicola and Kallol had the most beautiful intimate wedding at Sea Cider in late June, with gorgeous decor by Details. They started off with a first look in the forest, followed by an Indian wedding ceremony. The priest was entertaining, explaining all the parts of the ceremony to the guests, and the couple’s expressions were the best as they made their traditional promises.

The couple changed into some only slightly less colourful clothes for a short western ceremony and a reception full of funny toasts and trivia. I love how small weddings are just so packed with love, laughter, and emotional moments, and the couple actually has time to visit with each guest. It was perfectly fitting for Nicola and Kallol’s warm personalities and great sense of humour.

Venue: Sea Cider
Caterer: Food for Thought
Officiant: Bill Smith
Hair: Erin at Sharon Rai Hair & Makeup Artistry
Makeup: Amy at Artistry by Alexa
Decor and wedding planning: Details
DJ/MC: Ron at Hiway Productions
Cake/cupcakes: Ooh La La Cupcakes

Nadine and Ron are Married

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Nadine and Ron really know how to have fun. For example, Ron rode his motorcycle down the aisle to “Sharp Dressed Man” and after the first dance, Nadine danced with her grandson to “You Look Good” (which was adorable, hilarious, and amazing).

It’s hard to believe that Nadine is a grandmother, because she’s certainly nothing like my grandmother was when I was a kid, but she definitely has a strong bond with her grandson, who also provided a ton of comic relief throughout the day. There were a lot of touching family moments at this multi-generational affair, from some sisterly emotion during getting ready to sweet and funny toasts (and a poem) to all the smiles on the dance floor. Since I’m rather behind on blogging this May wedding, I’ll let the photos do the rest of the talking for me.

Venue/caterer: Church and State Winery
Decorator: Kim Solecki, Borrowed and Blue Events
DJ: Ron Larson, HiWay Productions
Florist: Alina at Brown’s the Florist
Hair: Sarah Jones Lescene, Love One Hair Studio
Makeup: Emily Friestadt, French Twist Bridal
Cake: Laura at Schur to Please
Officiant: Iain Hooey
Bride’s dress: Tres Chic Bridal
Groom’s suit: Moore’s at Uptown
Alterations and bridal jewellery: Carly’s Bridal
Silver chargers: Blushing Ivy
Transport: LA Limo

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