Jeff Chang Photography

Jenny and Dave took casual elegance to a whole new level. Their wedding was designed like a cocktail party and guests were free to roam, chit chat, play a game of bocci and indulge in a delightful buffet of appies, sushi and sweet treats. It was so much fun to photograph not only because we got to document all the guests having a great time, but we got to do a little socializing as well!

I (Jeff) actually went to high school with Jenny in Vancouver and we were both in Theatre Company, (an acting program – basically the “glee” of the acting world) and I met Dave while at UBC. The best part was that I had no idea they were dating until they were practically engaged! That’s when all the stars aligned and we realized we all knew each other already! So happy for them and so excited to see where life takes them! All the best you two! Lots of Love – Jeff and Cat

Jae-Hee and Steve’s wedding was a wonderful fusion of Korean, Chinese and Canadian cultures. She even had three amazing dresses that represented each culture! We started our day in Jae-Hee’s hotel room as she got ready. By the time we got there most of the girls had had their hair and makeup done so we focused on Jae-Hee and also on all the little details, her dress, shoes, rings and flowers! We left just moments before they did so we could set up at Celebration Pavilion. The ceremony was very sweet and had its moments of tears and laughter, but something that stood out to us was Steve’s ring bearer, who was told to hold the pillow up high and for the entire ceremony respected those instructions and never flinched! So Cute!

We left the ceremony site soon after we finished with family photographs on the lawn and headed for the park. We spent about 45 minutes there taking portraits and basically goofing off and trying fun things! After that we headed for Gastown where we spent the majority of the time with just Jae-Hee and Steve. We like working with the groups first so later they can just relax and hangout with the limo, it also lets our bride and groom relax in front of the camera without all their friends following in tow. After our little stroll down the cobbled road of Water Street we headed to Metrotown, not for shopping, to their reception, which was at the Fortune House Restaurant.

We started off the evening with a traditional Chinese Tea Ceremony, where the bride and groom accept gifts of prosperity and long life from family members and close friends. Like all chinese banquets, dinner ensued with course after course of delicious delicacies and seafood! Trying not to go into a food coma Jeff and I maintained a strict “taster” size portion of each course, as not to get so full we couldn’t work anymore! It was obvious that tonight was going to be a good night (pun intended) because after the games, cake cutting and bouquet toss, the dance floor was full of excitement and happiness! We stayed a little after the last dessert course (there was three) and after we had captured a good amount of the party on the dance floor.

Many thanks to the MC’s who kept the evening smooth and on time and to Jae-Hee and Steve for just genuinely having a great time and letting us have the freedom to capture it. – Cat

When I heard that the colour for 2012 was “Tangerine Tango” I have to admit I was a little sceptical – it’s such an interesting bold colour that you don’t normally see at weddings. So I did a little research and found some wonderful ways to incorporate it into your wedding colours. It doesn’t have to be the main focus, but little splashes of it here and there can be really beautiful. Paired with touches of yellow, blue and pink it has a warm spring feeling that is definitely FUN! And who doesn’t love those tangerine and aqua shoes?! I may have to get those just because! – Cat

Aya and Masaki got ready in their new home just blocks from their local church where they would later be married. For months Aya and Masaki have not only been planning their wedding but also building their dream home from the ground up on the very same lot that Masaki grew up on! We met them there to capture the moments leading up to their ceremony. Plenty of people running around and plenty of takeout sushi too! Their ceremony was small and intimate with every last seat being occupied by close friends and family. Conveniently enough Aya works at the Vancouver Convention Center where we not only took bridal photographs but where they held their banquet and reception. Holy crap! is all I can say about the space. With the dividers down you can literally park a jumbo jet in that room. Over three stories tall and 52,000 sq/ft. Unbelievable. That said, Aya and Masaki did have the dividers down and the seemingly endless room became a cozy and gorgeous intimate affair.

It wouldn’t have been a Japanese wedding with out a few Kimonos. After the speeches and slideshow Aya and Masaki slipped away and prepared themselves for a second time. When they stepped back into the ball room they were an instant attraction and suffice to say we weren’t the only ones taking photographs. A few fun games ended the formal program for the evening and after we were done we stuck around to chat with Aya and Masaki’s guests who we were seated with earlier.

Even though this is a relatively new building and was our first time photographing in that particular ballroom, it’s very clear that with it’s grand scale, modern yet intimate design, and amazing food and service, this is going to become a regular destination for us.