Still hunting for the perfect venue to hold your reception? The Matrix Hotel is one of the newest and most modern hotels in Edmonton. I had the pleasure of chatting with Matrix Hotel’s Catering Manager, Nancy Holan (WPICC), about what makes the Matrix such a unique space for weddings.

Edmonton's Matrix Hotel - Main Lobby

Why is Matrix Hotel a great wedding venue in Edmonton?

Matrix Hotel is the proud recipient of the Greater Edmonton Chapter MPI Event Management Award: 2010 Venue of the Year! Not only do we take pride in our food and service, but the aesthetics of the hotel display upbeat, modern designs and cool décor.

Our Quartz and Amber Ballrooms are perfect for weddings. Both feature 30 feet of floor length windows with silk coverings. As natural light is not commonly found in hotel ballrooms, this is a very unique feature that appeals to many brides and grooms. As well, our hardwood dance floors provide your guests with the ultimate dancing experience.

What spaces does Matrix Hotel have available to accommodate weddings?

• The Quartz Ballroom holds 200 guests for dinner and dancing;
• The Amber Ballroom holds 100-110 for dinner and dancing;
• The Prism Banquet room holds 48 people for a dinner.

Edmonton's Matrix Hotel - Quartz Ballroom

One of the most important components of a wedding is the food. Tell us a bit about what sets Matrix Hotel apart from other wedding venues in regards to cuisine.

Matrix Hotel is very proud of our culinary team and the absolutely delicious creations provided to our guests on a continuous basis. Award-winning Executive Chef Emmanuel David is always open to working with couples to create custom menus and recipes.

Does Matrix Hotel offer any special “extras” for the newlyweds?

Absolutely! Our brides and grooms receive a complimentary suite the night of the wedding, valet parking and deluxe continental breakfast for two. For their guests, we offer a guestroom rate reduction at $10.00 off our regular rate and we’re more than happy to provide special menus for guests with allergies or specific dietary requirements.

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I worked with Nancy on a wedding held at Matrix Hotel in September and both the food and service were exceptional. Stay tuned for photos from that wedding in the coming weeks!

Jennifer

Newly engaged in Edmonton and wondering how to start the wedding planning process? You’re in luck! I have partnered with Novelle Bridal Shop to hold a few intimate evening seminars for you beautiful brides-to-be. This is a great chance to have some of your most pressing wedding planning questions answered and to check out Novelle’s stunning 2011 bridal gown collection.

The sessions will take place on November 1st, 3rd and 8th beginning at 7:00 PM. There are limited spots available so hurry and contact Novelle Bridal Shop to confirm your attendance at one of the seminars!

Email: info@novellebridal.com
Phone: 780.761.0888

Hope to see you there!

Jennifer

I am thrilled and honoured to announce that Jennifer Bergman Weddings has been invited by Style Me Pretty (the wedding blog of all wedding blogs) to be a part of their prestigious Little Black Book:

“…a highly edited collection of wedding service providers –
from mom and pop boutiques to A-Listers.
Bottom line, these vendors are the best of the best.”

Here’s a link to our vendor profile, which we’ll continue to update with our stunning weddings of 2010. Don’t forget to check out the Style Me Pretty blog for amazing wedding inspiration and eye candy!

Jennifer

A new section has been added to JenniferBergmanWeddings.com. Check it out here to read some of our recently married clients’ experiences!

Enjoy the beautiful weather!

Jennifer

I had the pleasure of working with Infused Studios on a 3-day convention earlier this year. The creative eyes behind the cameras belong to Anthony + Rina, who not only capture spectacular photos, but they seek to tell your love story through imagery. When I sat down to chat with Anthony + Rina, what really stood out to me is how much they strive to personalize the wedding photography experience for each and every couple they work with. I hope you enjoy getting to know them!

Quick – give us your best Tweetography (ie. tell us about yourself in 140 characters or less)!

Visual Poets :: Love stories are our inspiration & it is an honour to tell them. Big kids at heart, we love to have fun, eat food & travel.

Why did you become photographers?

Rina :: After getting my Bachelor of Design I worked primarily as a graphic designer. I also did some art directing and fashion/ commercial photography. There was a disconnect between myself and the models and after I shot my first wedding I realized why. Capturing a pretty face is one thing; capturing true love and the connection between people is entirely different. It’s more challenging and also more rewarding.

Anthony :: I never owned a camera as a kid. I was raised in a traditional Chinese household, so my career path had 4 options; doctor, lawyer, accountant or engineer. I chose to be a mechanical engineer and became a successful project manager at a reputable oil and gas company within 3 years of graduation. Deep down something was missing – I knew there was always this yearning to express myself artistically though I never had the chance…until Rina came into my life.

She introduced me to her collection of camera equipment and I was instantly hooked. It was like an addiction, every day I would be excited to get through my day at the office because then I could get my photography fix at night. I was intrigued with the idea that I could express myself and create art without limitations, equations, or constrained by the laws of physics. On one chilly October afternoon, I gazed out my office window and asked where I saw myself 20 years down the road…I knew intuitively that I couldn’t see myself like my boss across the hall. The next day, I handed in my resignation letter and never looked back.

Who have been the biggest influences in your life (photographers or otherwise)?

Rina:: I look for paintings and drawings for my inspiration. Monet for his Impression of landscape paintings. Picasso, Degas, da Vinci and Michelangelo for pushing body movement. Dali for creating the surreal and unnatural forms of life. Also music videos and movies.

Anthony :: One of my biggest influences are movies…and especially ‘chick flicks’ because they have the best cinematography and lighting. C’mon, I mean who can forget epic scenes like the boat scene from “The Notebook,” or even the forest scene from “Twilight?!”

What are some wedding day photography tips that couples should keep in mind?

• Before booking a photographer, make sure you see an entire wedding that they’ve shot. Teaser images from blogs & website don’t convey how well a photographer can capture a wedding.
• Plan to schedule at least 2 hours to spend time with the photographers (ideally, we’d love to have 4+ hours)! And if there are people that you want to have photos taken with, let us know beforehand so we can be on top of it for you.
• Select based on who you want as a guest at your wedding. Yes, we’re there to work, but really, do you want to hire someone you don’t like to attend your wedding?
• When considering your photography budget, instead of choosing a price point choose the style ‘musts’ that you want. Then look at who photographs in that style and work out a price range from there. It’s heartbreaking when couples choose based on price and aren’t satisfied with their images — after all, you can’t redo your wedding day!

Do you have a favourite wedding or wedding moment that you’ve photographed?

Every wedding that we have shot so far has been an exciting moment — our clients are beautifully unique. Photographing the epic “pearl harbor” moment at the Cold Lake municipal airport with the plane flying in the background while Kylie and Warren kissed stands out. We had one chance to get the shot and it turned out exactly how we imagined. Anthony got the shot and Rina was so excited she jumped in the air and whacked him on the head with her telephoto lens!

What’s in store this year for Infused Studios?

• We’ve shot 3 destination weddings so far and are shooting across Alberta through to the fall.
• We’re shooting inspired engagement sessions with our couples and continuing our pursuit of artistic expression.
• We’re also looking out for new studio space but this summer we’re immersed in love stories!

What’s unique or interesting about you two?

Rina:: My closest friends know that I’m goofy, VERY clumsy and still a kid at heart.

Anthony :: I’m dorky, VERY easy-going yet a deep thinker at the same time.

Together :: We love watching classic Disney cartoons and we have a combined collection of stuffed animal friends around our place.  =)

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Here are some amazing images by Infused Studios. You can see more of their stunning work on their website and blog:

Thanks, Anthony + Rina!

Jennifer

I had the pleasure of meeting Cosmin and his wife Ioana last November. They are wonderful, genuine people and if you follow his blog you’ll learn quickly that Cosmin is a spunky character! Oh, and he takes some pretty awesome photos too!

Quick – give us your best Tweetography (ie. tell us about yourself in 140 characters or less)!

I have a camera and I’m not afraid to use it!

Why did you become a photographer?

I didn’t take a picture until the age of 24. At that point I started to work on cruise ships and visited some of the most amazing places. I just felt the need to show my family and friends all of those places and the only way was to take pictures. The rest is history…

Who have been the biggest influences in your life (photographers or otherwise)?

That has to be my wife! Yes, definitely! Everything I was able to accomplish in the last 10 years it’s because of her love and support. I wouldn’t even be in Canada if it wasn’t for her. Also I like to believe that I’m learning every day from all the people I meet. It’s amazing how much you find out if you open your eyes and ears.

What are some wedding day photography tips that couples should keep in mind?

Stressing on the wedding day is not going to help anybody. It’s a good idea to have somebody – like a professional – to keep things organized. You should have only beautiful memories from the day, so just enjoy it!

Do you have a favourite wedding or wedding moment that you’ve photographed?

One of my favourite events I’ve had the chance to be part of was my first East-Indian wedding. It was a 4 day one and I got to know the family quite well and I got attached emotionally. It was an extremely overwhelming experience!

What’s in store this year for Cosmin Danila Photography?

4 weddings and…another wedding, and another one, and so on. It’s going to be a crazy busy summer! I’ll also be travelling more for weddings, which is good, because when I grow up I want to be a destination wedding photographer.

You’ve been married for 10 incredible years. Any marriage tips for the newlyweds out there?

It’s an obvious one, but I have to say it: LOVE each other. If you do, everything else falls into place. And don’t be afraid to show it! I consider love to be contagious and soon enough it will work in everybody’s advantage!

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Check out some of Cosmin’s gorgeous work below and on his website:

Thanks for sharing, Cosmin!

Jennifer

Bruce Swanson of Swannie Lake Photography took a few shots of Krista (one of my awesome Assistant Coordinators) and I in action at Kathleen + Robert’s May 8th wedding:

Outside the church doors

Getting the Groom ready for his big day

Testing some aisle shots before the guests arrive

Bruce is a member of the Professional Photographers of Canada, and is available to shoot weddings, families and corporate portraits. Thanks again, Bruce!

Jennifer

Thanks for your wonderful participation in the Four Weddings series over the last month! This was a lot of fun, and I hope you’re excited to see the final Inspiration Board that I put together based on your votes.

The theme for this board started to develop after the first post, Four Dresses, where you voted for the stunning Sunday Rose gown by Monique Lhuillier. The soft, ruffled roses give the gown a romantic, whimsical feel.  Next up was Four Bouquets, and the top pick was a bouquet of pretty pink and peach peonies. Colour palette – check!

Moving on to Four Invitations…now this was a split vote so I decided to pick my fave (#1). This design by Alee & Press is modern and minimalist, but I love the way the abstract scribbles mimic the roses in our gown and the ruffles of our peony bouquet. And finally, Four Cakes. You loved the classic four-tiered beauty by Cake Girls. The pink bows and vintage brooches go perfectly with our theme!

To round out the Inspiration Board I added some splashes of gold, romantic centrepieces and a pair of petal pink Christian Louboutin pumps.

Thanks again for participating!

Jennifer

Photo Credits (Clockwise L-R): Romantic Floral Centrepiece – Tres Fabu Events; Cake – Cake Girls; Gown – Monique Lhuillier; Bouquet – Martha Stewart Weddings; Vintage Gold Cuff – Beg, Borrow or Steal; Pink Petal Shoe – Christian Louboutin; Invitation – Alee & Press; Gold Place Setting – Elizabethanne Designs.