Some Wedding Inspiration from Engage 11 in San Diego - Ottawa Wedding Photographer blog

I recently attended Wedding Business Summit in San Diego that featured some of THE best in the wedding industry as a whole. It was a wonderful opportunity to see some of the new trends and come face to face with some amazing talent. It was there where many industry people were balking the current candy bar trend that was showing up so strongly last year. However, it's not gone for good...it's the candy car with a bit of a twist.

One of my favorite themed "dessert bars" was the Coffee Bar. It was beautifully dressed in orchids and other exotic florals with down to earth vintage coffee signs which lent a modern elegance to the presentation. It included cold drinks from Starbucks and fresh espresso served hot. The dessert array included chocolate mocha cookies, expresso beans, tiramisu, biscotti and mocha mousse in tasting portions. It also had amazing fresh doughnuts...I can't imagine a coffee bar being a bad idea for the after 10pm crowd that is gearing up for the dance floor. Here are some of the images I captured from this wedding party delight!







Other themed wedding dessert bars included lemon bars served with lemon cookies, tarts, lemonade, yellow jellies and sweets, while another was themed on Strawberries and dressed beautifully with pink peonies to accent.





I just love this inspiration for a new twist on the candy bar. It allows for so much more variety, texture and creativity.

Also, it doesn't have to match your bouquets...simply match the floral arrangements to your theme alone...break the rules, have some fun and be inspired as you create an amazing experience for your guests!

Hope you enjoyed some of this wonderful inspiration for your wedding!

Photography by Melanie Rebane Photography {m photography}

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Inspired by Engage 11 - The Wedding Style Blog for Ottawa

Many who know me, or follow my blog know I am obsessed with weddings and style. I love Vanity Fair, Fashion photography and Vogue. I have spent hours on Fashion Television and too many hours to count watching reality weddings. My friends in the industry know I am crazy about them and their work. There are a number of very gifted floral designers in the area not to mention cake artists. The talent in Ottawa is coming into a new phase that really highlights the personalities of the couples and the experience that they want to create for their guests. I would be remiss not to mention the talent we have in the event design and planning professionals that I have had the honor of working with...once more-talented and wonderful. I love weddings. 

So when I was offered an opportunity to attend Engage 11 at the Grand Del Mar in San Diego recently, I nearly jumped out of my shorts! The best in the wedding industry are there. Their work is showcased for three straight days...and I was in jaw dropping awe the whole time.  So what does this have to do with wedding photography? Directly, not a whole lot. Indirectly everything. It showed me how high to set the bar to bring my clients the best experience possible. That's my homework and I'm excited for the changes to come ahead for my photography studio.

But the other part is that it has inspired me to create an online magazine for local Ottawa and Eastern Ontario brides trying to plan their weddings. A magazine written by industry insiders (wedding planners, photographers, bridal boutiques, etc.). It's to help the mind boggled bride find some of the amazing talent in the Ottawa and Eastern Ontario region. It will also inspire you. I come across so many amazing vendors in my work, I feel it is a great way to pass them along without cluttering my own blog with non-photography related items.

I welcome you to subscribe to the new blog, submit your real weddings and maybe even ask a few questions to our panel of experts. Its a wedding magazine in real time, on demand and with lots of style and inspiration.

Here is a peek at my Engage experience thanks to Cloud Nine Creative ....


Engage 11: Grand Del Mar // Wrap Film from Cloud Nine Creative on Vimeo.

Yes...that's me in there...spot the cameo :)



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Engage 11, San Diego {Among the Best in Weddings!}

It has been a busy couple of jet setting weeks with trips to New York City for a wedding, Toronto for an engagement session and then on to San Diego for one of the most amazing conferences of my life - Engage 11 at the Grand Del Mar.  


It will fundamentally change everything about how I do business and I am so excited for the changes ahead. Over the next six months m photography will be rebranding quite simply to Melanie Rebane photography. I can't wait for that work to unfold.


Additionally, we met with the editors for The Knot, Style Me Pretty, Southern Weddings and my personal favorite, Wedluxe and Destination Weddings Magazine to learn more about the trends ahead and the needs of the savvy and sophisticated bride - I can't wait to post some of the amazing trends and details from this 3 day event. 


Here is a peek at day one of this amazing and inspirational conference:


Engage 11: Grand Del Mar // Day 1 from Cloud Nine Creative on Vimeo.

Back to editing! Enjoy!


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{New York City Gramercy Park Hotel - Manhatten} Destination Wedding Photographer

The front lobby of the Gramercy Park Hotel. New York City

Today is the final day before I leave to capture an amazing dream come true wedding on the rooftop of the famous Gramercy Park Hotel in New York City. This wedding has been almost a year in the making and with the assistance of wedding and event planner Allison Turner of Live Love Plan, both the ceremony and reception in New York and the reception at the National Art Gallery of Canada later on Sunday, have been flawlessly orchestrated.


I met Jennifer and Pierre late last year when they were still deciding on the exciting destination for their intimate wedding, so it was a bit of an adventure at first. I couldn't have been more excited for them to learn that their chosen destination was New York City - one of the world centres of art, culture fashion and everything chic. Given Jennifer and Pierre's impeccable taste, it was no surprise that they would choose the Gramercy Park Hotel.  The Haute Bohemian heritage (of this hotel) represents a sensuous vision of artful diversity with an original combination of styles, with great pieces of furniture and artwork with an extraordinary use of color. It is a visual feast for the eyes. I just cannot wait to see how the vision of their day unfolds as the romantic ceremony takes place on the rooftop with romantic photos in and around New York City. 


It is an honor to be capturing this wedding in a city that I personally love so much. I can't wait to share the images with you!  


....And when it couldn't be more amazing, while I am in New York City, I am planning to see the incredible Alexander McQueen retrospective at the Metropolitan Museum of Art  called Savage Beauty. Having started my art career early on in fashion design, and having followed Alexander McQueen over the past decade or more, this is a mind blowing opportunity and what better place to be inspired while in New York city but at the MET.  

Alexander McQueen retrospective - Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City.

I will look forward to tweeting the experience  so I hope you will follow along...


I'm sure I will have lots o wonderful imagery to share with you when I return...wish me safe travels...and I'll be back in a few days! 

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{Featured on Wedding Chicks}

Pleased to announce our latest feature on The Wedding Chicks blog was published today...Wedding Wednesday. 

We are shooting another wedding editorial this coming May 15th with even more talented local wedding vendors including the Sophie Bifield Cake Company, Dahlia Decor and Event Design, Julie Barake of Chic Wedding Planning and Design and Luxe Bridal Boutique in the Byward Market.   Also, we will feature Laura Jayne Bridal Design of Toronto. Laura Jayne Bridal Design is a collection of couture veils, hair adornments, jewelry and other fun stuff (sashes, belts & wraps).  Designs are hand-finished in the sunny Toronto fashion-district studio by a team of artisans with skills & specialties ranging from couture sewing, jewelry-making and millinery. We are all so excited to be working with everyone and looking forward to bringing you some beautiful wedding inspiration!
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{Boudoir Inspiration} Ottawa Boudoir Photographer

As I get all the details in place for our latest boudoir marathon, I came across a wonderful new collection of lingerie that I am certain the most discerning of stylish brides will fall madly in love with...Claire Pettibone has been among my favorite designers and also has this stunning luxury line of lingerie that deserves a big swoon... I just couldn't help but sharing...

Claire Pettibone Luxury Lingerie - Inspiration for your upcoming boudoir photography session?

Take a peek at her 2012 look book ...




One session left for the upcoming boudoir marathon this May 1st...if you are interested contact me for details...;)

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Choosing Risk - Becoming a Wedding Photographer

This post doesn't have a whole lot to do with wedding photography or boudoir photography or photography really at all. It has to do a little more with what brought be here to being a wedding and portrait photographer. It was and still is...a risk. This morning I read a post that Jasmine Star wrote on her blog about taking risks. Jasmine Star is a popular wedding photographer in California. What I appreciate about her is her candor and she has a story that resonates for me.  Her blog post on Choosing Risk today couldn't have hit closer to home.


I have been photographing weddings for about eight years. I LOVE weddings.  I love weddings cakes, dresses, details and shoes. I love the excitement of the weddings, the emotion, the meaning of each moment. A wedding is a highlight in so many lives and I love being the one trusted to translate that experience into images that families, couples and friends can hold on to. There are fewer things more satisfying to me. Each one of my weddings is a highlight for me and I take great pride in the work I do, because I know how important those moments are and will be. It's a big job to get it right, but there is nothing that gives me a deeper sense of personal satisfaction. 


Taking the risk to become a wedding photographer, was a big one for me. I left art and photography behind for a long time because I never thought I would be able to make a living at it. So after studying fine art and photography, I went on to do what I thought I should do - go to university get my degree, get a job, but the house and the car, etc...it took me a long time of chasing yet another degree in law and a certificate for massage therapy and mountains of student loans...to finally come back full circle...taking a risk to do what truly makes me happy. It makes me exhale. The risk wasn't so much what I thought it was...because to not do what you love risks the most fundamental thing about being alive...bringing your unique and authentic self into the world. 


Thank you to my brother, whose life has taught me that it is both fragile and fleeting. And that there is no time to just move through day-to-day not doing what you love. Thank you CP- I'm following my heart. Thank you to my clients who believe in the work I do and have been patient as my business has grown in a surprising way and to all my friends in the wedding world for your encouragement and support...I'm looking forward to so much more ahead.  I wouldn't be here in a place so genuine without you all.


Thanks for letting me just say out loud, how much I love being a photographer.

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M on Tumblr {Ottawa Wedding Photographer and the New York Times}

Just an example of the amazing visuals on my M on Tumblr Microblog

I woke up this morning to an interesting news story on the launch of the New York Times new micro blog T magazine on Tumlr. T magazine is a visual tour through of all the wonderful visuals included in the New York Times Style Section.

I couldn't think of a better way than to introduce M on Tumblr this lovely Spring day. My microblog serves to inspire me and to remind me of what pleases my eye. On my Tumblr micro blog that I have been quietly building over the recent weeks during pauses in the day, I have been able to compile the things that both inspire my brand, my work, and my business. It is a visual journey through moods, admiration, inspirations, editorials and highlights from the visual artists I admire so much.  

While it has little to do with weddings specifically, it has everything to do with how I love seeing the world. You will see that I have posted my personal work there as well, but I invite you to explore M on Tumblr primarily as an insight into my style.

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{Finally - A Facebook Page!} Ottawa Wedding Photographers

I will finally be able to stop bothering my family with my shameless self -promotion and obsession with wedding cakes, shoes, wedding dresses and wedding blogs, zines....the list goes on...it's a problem.  So finally...after much pecking from my publicist friend, I have migrated my wedding and boudoir photography content to an m photography facebook page. I don't know heaps about how to use it effectively quite yet, but for the sake of my fam and friends that already are endeared to me...change is here.

What I have discovered is that I can post some of my favorite wedding inspiration within seconds! So many great wedding inspiration ideas can be found on my new page...because I KNOW that you ...my future and current brides actually will care. Whereas my mom and cousins and married friends...welll they just don't find it as cool as we do.

So I invite you to join my Facebook page to keep track of all the new and wonderful things to come this year and to be inspired by some of my favorite wedding ideas for everything from wedding invitations to seating plans to whimsical wonderful vintage styling.

My big weaknesses are most definately beautiful cakes, beautiful wedding dresses and not least of all fashion forward mags like Vanity Fair, Wedluxe, Elegant Weddings and Grace Ormond's Wedding Style. I'll bring you all my favorite posts from these genius mags for inspiration as well.

So please visit the new m photography Facebook page and "like" it to receive lots of great inspiration and...dare I say...there may be some amazing 2012 contest information with an amazing blog to come... you gotta like it!

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613.769.6019

{Inspiration-Custom Wedding Invitiations} Ottawa, Montreal, International wedding photographer

Inspiration for your wedding comes from the heart of who you are, both as individuals and as a couple together. Marriage is an adventure and is the beginning of your love story and adventures together. And I have yet to find any two couples alike. For this reason I am deeply inspired by things that truly highlight what is unique about a couple and I love when they take a special approach to express that.
Through inspiring friends (namely my wonderful designer Marilyn) who let me know about illustrator Siobhan Donoghue who creates some of the most enchanting and elegant wedding invitations I have laid eyes on. Really!

Like many of my clients, I am inspired by my world travels to Paris, New York, Australia, Scandinavia, etc. And I have had the oppourtunity to shoot destination weddings in France and Czech Republic, so seeing these lovely invitations truly had me thrilled! Siobhan's wedding invitations are perfect if your are planning a destination wedding and it's an amazing way to personalize your day down to the sweetest little details, especially if your guests are not familiar with the wedding destination site. She has created invitations and save the date cards for destination weddings in Italy, California, Australia and for many other amazing destinations. But you don't need to be visiting a far away land to appreciate how amazing it would be to have a custom illustrated invitation or save the date, even if you are going to be married here in the Nation's capital and have many out of town guests arriving. I am simply in love with these! Anyway, enough said....go ahead an take a peek with me and please visit her website to view more.

More about Siobhan Donoghue and her custom hand illustrated wedding invitations:


"We tailor every invitation to highlight your style and work with you to achieve the invitation you dreamed of.  Tell us what you like and we can go from there. We love a challenge. Each of our samples can be customized for your event.

How does the process work

The design process generally takes four weeks. This allows enough time to provide you with a mock-up of the final and to create the artwork by hand in watercolour.  We can print the final stationery or you can work with a local printer and we will provide a pdf of the finished design.

Prices

Our stock prices start from $5.95 per printed invitation card. Contact us for our fill range of prices.  Custom invitation design prices start at $300.00.  Printing costs for custom work depends greatly on the desired paper stock, size, quantity and printing style such as letterpress, offset, digital and art inkjet.

Paper

My personal favourite paper is a European handmade paper with deckle edge which adds to the elegance of the watercolour artwork.  It is a thick card,  320gsm in cream or ivory with matching envelopes.  The thicker the paper the better is my philosophy.  We endeavour to use environmentally sustainable paper and inks in all our projects.

Budget

If you have a budget please send us an email. We can propose various ideas to keep within your budget.

Save the Date

Yes, we do design Save-the-Date announcements, maps, wedding blog headers, menus, programmes, seating cards, RSVP and thank you cards. We can also design rubber stamps, wax seals,  tea towels and luggage tags….. contact us with your ideas."

wedding stationery

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Kiran] Ottawa Portrait Photographer

I met Kiran while viewing the Fall 2009 jewelry collection that I wil be incorporating into my Chateau Laurier shoot in October. It was amazing what we did in 5 minutes of sauciness!



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