it was actually my 2nd event at the frontenac so i knew how to pack for the subzero temps. brrr. but i’m probably one of the few people packing gloves with holes cut in the right hand thumb and index finger. alas my friends at canon have little incentive to develop a glove friendly camera.

the frontenac is a wonderful huge castle in the old city section of quebec – peering over the even older section of le petite champlain. to get there you take the funiculare (think of crossing an escalator with an elevator and a toll bridge and you get the idea).

the quebequoise have mastered the art of ice carving – and unlike the ice art made here in the states which gets to live for but a few hours – their ice last for months – even in the sun.

so that’s the setting.

as for the bride – tanya is one of those people whose smile can light up a room. she was one of the most relaxed brides i’ve ever had the pleasure of working with. so easy going, she really had a chance to enjoy her wedding day.

she and steve even braved the cold for a few moments for a quick outdoors shot before the ceremony.

what you don’t see under her dress in that shot above are the heavy winter boots that she’s wearing to contend with the ever present slushy grit, gravel, sand and salt mixture that is EVERYWHERE in quebec. (you DON’T bring your uggs to quebec or you’ll ruin them inside of 2 minutes) so even though the church where they were married was just across the square, chunky boots were de riguer and you changed into shoes when you arrived at the church.

in my book, of course, that sounds like it might have the makings of a romantic kiss picture should the bride and groom take a quick moment for themselves immediately following their ceremony. pure photojournalism.

then it was back on the with boots for the hike back uphill to the chateau… if only jimmy choo could design … oh nevermind.

back at the chateau…

and they danced the night away. some of the guests joined the band onstage and a few even managed to dance their pants off – but you’ll have to ask tanya and steve to share those pics with you directly…

and as with any wedding that takes place in a castle… they lived happily ever after.

>>> And here’s a quick follow up… an email that we received from Tanya following her wedding:

Brian and Celeste:
Just a quick note before we head to bora bora to thank you for your participation in our wedding. You set my very nervous groom at ease, and all of our friends and family marveled at how quickly and seamlessly you were able to herd the cats with the group photos. It really felt like we were working with friends, which made things a lot easier for both of us!!

Hope you also had a minute here and there to enjoy our beloved quebec!

We can’t wait to see the photos and look forward to catching up with you in the hood post wedding. Until then, I hope you know how thrilled and honored we were to work with you.

Love from
Tanya and Steve.

>>>

Tanya and Steve – the honor was truly ours.