Well, this is a nice surprise!  We recently received a phone call from the Kanata Kourier Standard informing us that Sam and Mary Photography won the Reader's Choice Diamond Award for best wedding photographer.   

We'd like to send out a special "Thank You" to all who voted for us.  We're thrilled and honoured to contribute to the success of our community and look forward to serving you with excellence again next year.

Winners are published in this week's issue so pick up your copy today! :)

Hugs,
Sam and Mary

This Friday June 5th, Le Cordon Bleu is hosting the Aperitif a la Francaise event under the patronage of the French Ambassador to Canada.  You are cordially invited! 

We will be there along with Samantha and her team from Starfish events, whom sent us this invitation to pass along!  More information on what this worldwide event is about can be found here. Come and join us or check back for photos from the event coming soon...

This is the hottest event this spring! Celebrate under the stars with culinary treats by Le Cordon Bleu; a Parisian Fashion Show; DJ and a glamorous atmosphere inspired by the terraces along the Promenade de la Croisette at Cannes and an all-chocolate buffet and cocktails to deliciously round off the evening.  The event begins at 5:30 pm. Tickets are available at Ticketmaster.  Also, for each ticket sold, $10 will be donated to the For the Love of the Bloom event in support of breast cancer research. What could be better!

Hope some of you could join us at this fun event.
We'd love to see you there!

Love,
Mary (& Sam)

While nearing the end of their 28 Days of Lust-Haves and Lipstick event featuring prizes, fashion, food, activities and fun seminars at the Billings Bridge Shopping Centre, last weekend's Frugalista Fashionista was definitely amazing! 

Here are some photos from the event that people will be remembering and talking about for sure :)  Entertainment was provided by Amanada Rheaume and DJ Karyen dished up some great grooves! 
   

The event was pulled together by Greta Bloskie, Marketing Director at Billings Bridge, as well as, Samantha Moonsammy and her fantastic team at Starfish Events.  Stylist Alison Hughes (along with Angie Russell of Hush) put on a fabulous fashion seminar! We were thrilled to work with these awesome ladies and all the wonderful people that were a part of this crazy fun day.

The Rideau Valley Roller Girls made a guest appearance and turned heads while serving up coffee shots and treats from the candy bar -- what could be more fun!

Live on location was the girls from HOT 89.9 FM hamming it up in our photo booth!

More action in our photo booth as hundreds of people came by to experience dressing as a star and getting themselves on the cover of a magazine.  It was exciting to be a part of such a big event and the best was seeing all the smiles from people all over the community! Thanks to all the beautiful people we've met, talked with and for allowing us to capture you as you are. 

Samantha also took this photo of us: is there anything this girl does not do! :)

Thanks so much to Greta, Samantha and Aaron Deane for being so much fun to work with.  You guys did an incredible job! We are so grateful to be invited to be a part this community event which brought so many smiles to so many people.

Love,
Mary ( & Sam)

This past weekend, we had the awesome opportunity to be a part of the 29th Genie Awards held in Ottawa, April 4th.  The event celebrating the best in Canadian film was held none other than at the Nation's Capital Canada Aviation Museum, which was transformed beautifully to host the main event.  Definitely huge props (pun intended!) to the people that put the event together as it was a huge success!  The feel you get when you enter the building is that this was larger-than-life.  It was amazing to be surrounded by massive aircrafts and to experience the excitement and anticipation as the night went on!

Tulips and Maple was the esteemed caterer for the cocktail event and we were honoured to be chosen to work with them in capturing the evening.  Mark, owner and visioneer, along with his staff did an incredible job in staging the food and presentation!  Here, the chef and his staff are working hard behind the scene meticulously...
 

And the food was exquisite!
  

It was great to be amongst Canadians and to celebrate excellence and achievement in Canadian film.  There is a sense of national pride and awareness that we could see as we participated in the event.  They were definitely a fun crowd with a great sense of humour and unique style.  We've captured some of the gorgeous people that we've had the pleasure of meeting and talking with.  Thanks to everyone who worked it out in front of our cameras, you guys are beautiful and we love you! 

The awards ceremony was hosted by the hilarious, Dave Foley.
 

Also presenting the awards was Kristin Booth, who also won Best Supporting Actress (for her film, Young People F***ing).  Her coveted dress was custom designed by Rosemarie Umetsu, so that is who I'll be checking out ladies! :)

Our last shot of the night... (another self portrait as we tried to not drop the camera, as shown by the concern on my face!)

Congratulations to all the winners and nominees!  Thank you for sharing your work with us.  Special thanks to Mark and his team at Tulips and Maple for being super fabulous! We wish you all the success and look forward to working with you at the next event.

Much love,
Sam and Mary

Spring is definitely in the air and I couldn't get enough of flowers and all things green, so here is post to feature Flowers Talk, a florist shop in the heart of Ottawa on Wellington St. 

If you are a bride with wedding plans in full swing, here is a vendor we love to recommend.  Elizabeth is florist/owner of Flowers Talk who has an amazing eye and style.  We have shot quite a few weddings with her flowers and she does great work. We love the feel of her shop which just makes you want to stay!  Flowers add so much to the mood of a wedding and we can't say enough how much a good florist can help in pulling together the theme and colours for your wedding through bouquets, boutonnieres, centrepieces, and other visuals. 

Here are some snaps we took as Elizabeth showed us around her shop:
 

Hmmm,...  does one need a reason to buy flowers?

Happy flower shopping!
Mary