Looking for places to have your wedding photos taken in Vancouver? La Novia is here to help! Check out our list of best places to snap those all-important shots on your big day. In no particular order:

Granville Island

Granville Island is one of Vancouver’s most enchanting spots. The little shops, eclectic market and marina combine to create a true west coast background for wedding photos. There are plenty of opportunities for quirky and unusual shots: climb on to a water taxi, pose in front of a giant yacht or feed each other candy apples from one of the many kiosks in the market. Your wedding photos will have an element of whimsy that regular photos lack.

Science World

At night, few buildings are more recognizable in the Vancouver skyline than the Science World globe. Covered in golden lights, the building is a ideal location for wedding photos for the couple who wants a dramatic and luminous backdrop. Taken at the right angle, it can look like the bride and groom are smooching inside the sun. Plus, every bride looks stunning in golden light- you really can’t lose with this choice.

Fort Langley

Step back in time by having your wedding photos taken in this charming village complete with old-fashioned shopfronts and an early 20th century train station. If you are a car enthusiast and happen to be getting married in August, sneak over to the antique british car exhibition and strike a pose beside on of the classic cars.

Grouse Mountain

There is no shortage of photo ops at this gorgeous mountain setting and, lucky for you, most of them feature world-class scenery, technology or adventure. For example, the Eye of the Wind, Grouse Mountain’s enormous wind turbine is one of the most unique places in the world to have your photos done. For another up in the air photo sequence, board the aerial tram and snap away!

Pan Pacific Hotel

Are you and your groom the quintessential urban couple? Do you love making sunday morning runs from your condo to the Starbucks on your corner? If so, why not highlight the fact that you are a through and through city bride and groom by having your wedding photographs done in front of the striking Pan Pacific Hotel. Make sure to ask your photographer to take panoramic shots so you can capture the metropolitan feel of the hotel and its surroundings.

Brockton Point

How would you like to have an east coast feel in your west coast wedding photos? It’s possible when you choose the lighthouse at Brockton Point as the location for your wedding photos with the large red and white lighthouse jutting out over the pacific ocean. This is an excellent locale for black and white photos, which showcase the drama and intense beauty of the local while imparting a sense of history.

Van Dusen Botanical Garden

Charming wooded walkways, a hedge maze, light displays and fountain gardens make Van Dusen Botanical Garden one of the most sought after locations for wedding ceremonies and photography. There is no shortage of places to snap picture that will result in one of the most diverse and artistic photo shoots. With all the different colours, plant species and ornamental landscaping, you’ll never get the same image twice.

No matter where you shoot your photos, the quality of photographer you choose makes all the difference. Lorilee Keller of La Novia Bridal knows how to take any backdrop, anywhere in Vancouver, and turn your photos into magic. For information on our artistic photography packages, see our packages or contact us.

Jacqueline Kennedy

Widely known as Jackie O, she of the oversized sunglasses, Jacqueline Bouvier was first the wife of the dashing young JFK. She would later become one of the most influential women in fashion, her style was copied by most everyone throughout the 1960’s and 1970’s and she is still, to this day, held up as someone to be emulated. One could argue that it all began with this beautiful gown, silk organza with a full skirt, pinwheel detail, delicate ruffles and a portrait collar. On her head, the new Mrs. Kennedy wore a lace cap with an attached cathedral length veil of the most intricate lace, which added a touch of opulent drama and provided a pretty backdrop for her bare shoulders. Today, a combination like this would scream retro-WASP, but who says that’s a bad thing? Want to appear as a silver spoon kind of girl on your wedding day? This is your answer to your prayers.

*fun fact: This dress was chosen by Jackie’s mom-Jackie herself hated it!

Ivanka Trump

Ivanka conversion to Judaism before marrying in a lavish ceremony last year necessitated a very modest wedding gown. The problem with modest is that, if you aren’t careful, it can come off matronly. Ivanka managed to avoid that pitfall by adding delicate lace netting applique overlay to create a loose boatneck neckline and three-quarter length sleeves. During the ceremony she wore a floor-length veil, which she later removed to reveal her semi-coiffed hairstyle- left down, but not what one would call “flowing”.It seems the flowing was reserved for the breathtaking scalloped lace train of her dress. Knuckle-sized diamond earrings (from her own jewelry line) add to the polish. This look is what you would call “done”. Her make-up is understated: ivory and bronze shadow and soft pink lips work very hard not to compete with the dress. This is key- with a wedding gown like this, make-up can be a big game changer: a slicked back bun with a middle part, red lips and a mantilla can turn this style of wedding gown into a much spicier affair. But we’ll leave that up to you.

Mia Farrow

Strange couple, strange woman, nice wedding day outfit choice. When Mia Farrow married Frank Sinatra in 1966, she decided to forego the traditional wedding gown in favour of a piece of clothing that was truly representative of the time: the minidress. Surprisingly enough, in this day and age, a minidress is still considered a novel and somewhat shocking choice of bridal attire. Done correctly, as Mia does it, with a boxy jacket featuring large statement buttons, it is a cute and flirty alternative to a long, complicated dress. Plus, there are so many ways to accessorize: large pearls will keep it simple and understated while colourful gemstone jewelry will really ramp up the energy. Either way, this is a look that can easily be tweaked to result in a bold personality statement. A perfect project for the adventurous bride!

If you aren’t sure what your personal bridal style is, the team at La Novia Bridal can help you figure it out. Contact us for help with everything from gowns to hair, make-up and photography.

A good place to start when making decisions about wedding photography is choosing the colour tone of your pictures. For example, would you prefer full colour for a vibrant and energetic feel, black and white for a formal, posh presentation or sepia for an antiqued look? Each tone says something different about the wedding and the bride and groom. If you can’t decide, do your engagement photos with the same photographer who’s shooting your wedding and ask for some pictures in each tone; that way, you can decide which tone you like best before you get married.

Location is another important element of you wedding pictures that should not be overlooked. Luckily, Vancouver brides have many enviable choices when it comes to scenery. Stanley Park, various beaches and downtown skylines all make perfect choices. However, the 2010 brides have the added advantage of getting married at the tail end of the olympic year: make sure you get some pictures in front of the Vancouver 2010 rings and in front of the Olympic Flame. Even if it rains, umbrellas will only add to the story of a happy couple getting married in the olympic city.

Lastly, consider how many pictures you want to have taken of guests and relatives. Some couples like the energy of candid group shots taken throughout the night and others prefer more pictures of the bride and groom by themselves. It’s a purely personal choice but one that should be carefully thought out and discussed with the wedding photographer you have hired. At La Novia, we want to make sure that you get exactly what you want and Lorilee is always able to take your suggestions and turn them into magic.

If you are looking for a package that suits your individual needs and speaks to your personal taste and style, check out our list packages and contact us to discuss your wedding day needs.

Don’t forget, photography is not the only thing we do better than anyone else: we also offer a line of bridal gowns by Vancouver’s best designer, Jason Matlo and full service hair and make-up consultations. Happy planning!