Alda + Carl(o)

Alda and Carl’s wedding was my first Italian wedding ever, and I was duly impressed! I departed the bride’s parents’ house with them in a 1939 cream coloured cadillac limo, which was brilliant for photos not just because of the gorgeous vintage interior, but also because it had some plain glass windows sans privacy tint which let in some good normal coloured light, making it easier to capture the many expressions of Alda and her mother as we rode across the Lion’s Gate bridge to Holy Rosary Cathedral. What a great church! This was also my first time in this fantastic place. I was in heaven in that foyer with that light streaming in through the big doors. It was also light enough inside for me to work without flash, thanks to some tres cher glass. (I really don’t like using flash during ceremonies for obvious reasons.) There was a lovely string quartet which played during the processionals. Once the ceremony was through, everyone poured out onto the front steps of the cathedral and congratulated the couple. It was really too wonderful a combination– good light, great faces and expressions, and some gothic arches for good measure. We then headed out with the bridal party for some urban shots– a lot of which happened to be very near an Italian restaurant to which I am certainly going asap. I loved the brick and the textures of the old Vancouver which I thought complimented Alda’s very classic beauty (and Carl’s). I didn’t have enough room to blog reception photos, but I did include a shot of the room at the Sutton Place Hotel before anyone entered– it was so exquisite. Guests sat enjoyed a beautiful seven course (was it really seven?!) Italian meal among the white blossoms and silver candelabras, and *then* the infamous Sutton Place chocolate buffet right outside the ballroom. I stayed up until the official end of the evening when the bride and groom departed according to Italian tradition through a bouncing archway of arms. How I wish I had cultural traditions! (Other than wind dried fish pieces and neurotic plays–correct me if I’m wrong, Thure.)