The Phone’s Wedding at The Metropolitan Centre

The Phone’s Wedding at Calgary’s The Metropolitan Centre

The Phone’s Beautiful Downtown Wedding

Lindsay Getting Ready at her home

We started off at Michael and Lindsay’s home where Lindsay was already having her hair done and makeup applied. Vanessa with Finding Forever After was just finishing hair, and makeup was done by Sarah Toa.

As they were wrapping up we headed into the large bonus room to photograph Lindsay’s dress. We hung the gorgeous Essence of Australia dress up in the window to highlight it. Lindsay purchased her dress at Embrace Bridal, a family-owned and operated boutique in Airdrie. We then set the shoes in front of the dress to take photos of the beautiful fabric roses on them followed by her ring for even more detail.

We staged a few shots of the makeup artist doing her final touches, before Lindsay headed off to get into her dress. Her maid of honour Miranda helped lace up the intricate corset of the dress over by the window. The bridesmaids Leanne and Kim joined them, as well as Lindsay’s mother Lucille. We took plenty of shots of the women together. They then put the final touches on the beautiful bride: Lucille fastened the pearl necklace around Lindsay’s neck and the girls helped her into her shoes.

Lindsay’s First Look with her Father

We tucked Lindsay away in the upstairs bedroom and had her Dad Larry come up for a first look. He waited at the top of the stairs, and when she came out he was moved to see his daughter in her beautiful gown. After the first look, Lindsay gave her parents a personal gift and a thank you card.

Their Ceremony at St. Luke’s Catholic Church

We all headed out to the first part of the ceremony at St. Luke’s Catholic Church. The inside of the church is beautiful, and all the pews were decorated for the wedding. Deacon Steven Robinson officiated the ceremony and did an incredible job. He offered many lovely readings and had a good sense of humour, keeping the ceremony enjoyable. Once the bride and groom exited the ceremony, they re-entered for a large group photo.

The Traditional Chinese Tea Ceremony at the Phone Family Home

After the Catholic ceremony, we drove over to Michael’s parents Paul and Phoan’s house. A beautiful lunch of Chinese BBQ pork and duck was set out. We arrived and Lindsay headed upstairs to change into her Asian tea ceremony dress: a gorgeous floor length red gown.

The tea ceremony is one of the most significant events in modern Chinese weddings. This is when the bride is formally introduced to the groom’s whole family. Beginning with the eldest and moving through the family, the newlyweds serve tea to each person. In return, they are given gifts in red packets and advice for their lives together.

Lindsay and Michael began with his grandparents and poured tea for everyone. Lindsay also learned how to properly address each family member in Cantonese. When it was his older brother and best man Kevin’s turn, his humorous advice was for Michael to follow his older brother’s great example.

After the tea ceremony, it was time to step into the backyard for family photos. There is a nice view of a distant downtown Calgary from Michael’s parent’s backyard, so we used this as the backdrop.

The Creative formals at Crescent Heights and Downtown Calgary

After the tea ceremony we were off to Crescent Heights, a neighbourhood just north of downtown Calgary. A prominent ridge overlooks the skyline, and it was here that we did groupings of the entire wedding party. We photographed Michael with his best man Kevin and his groomsmen Chris and Lance, and Lindsay with her maid of honour Miranda, and bridesmaids Leanne and Kim. Then we headed downtown for photos in and around the architecture at the heart of the city. We walked down Stephen Avenue, a pedestrian area downtown that is a vibrant part of Calgary. Some of the best restaurants, pubs, and cafés are on this street, as well as boutique shops and high-end retail. The street includes many historic buildings and was designated a National Historic Site of Canada in 2002. We shot the newlyweds in front of Banker’s Hall for the reflective glass panelling along the outside. We then moved to the Galleria Trees sculpture on the avenue for a modern backdrop. A nearby restaurant featured incandescent patio lights, and we used these as a backdrop as well. These elements made for unique creative formals for Lindsay and Michael.

The Phone Reception at the Metropolitan Conference Centre

We wrapped up the formal photos and headed to the Metropolitan Conference Center for the reception. It lies in the heart of downtown and offers a sophisticated boutique-style atmosphere for events.

Family friend Margo designed the décor for the event and was eager to give the newlyweds a room reveal before the reception. Before everyone joined them, Lindsay and Michael shared a private dance in the room.

Then the reception began. Following Chinese tradition, the bride and groom greeted every guest as they entered. They had around 240 guests at the wedding, and everyone waited patiently to greet the newlyweds in the receiving line. The couple also used the opportunity to have pictures taken with all their guests.

Before the formal entrance of the couple, they played a gag video for the guests. This video featured ‘friends’ issuing their apologies for missing the wedding. The roster of friends was actually a reel of celebrities, edited to make them seem like they were actually apologising. Celebrities included Jackie Chan, Hugh Jackman, and Will Smith. It had everyone laughing, and was a fun way to kick off the reception.

Lindsay and Michael entered and immediately went into the first dance, set to ‘Thinking Out Loud’ by Ed Sheeran. After the beautiful dance, speeches began. Her parents started, followed by his parents, and then Michael’s brothers roasted him. Michael rounded out the speeches by saying a thank you to everyone.

Dinner began with the speeches. They had minestrone soup, a wedge salad, roasted veggies, halibut, and crème Brulee for dessert. They also had a desert bar!

The slideshow followed the speeches, and after that, the father-daughter dance. Everyone got up to dance for a while before there was a break for the cake cutting. Their cake was a beautiful creation made by family friend Kristin Pat.

Dancing the night away to the sounds of DJ Bo Khanh Ly

From there, DJ Bo Khanh Ly kicked things up and got the party started. Everybody, even the grandparents, were up to dance. At one point, the children even started a conga line!
For added entertainment, there was a photo booth set up, which was a popular addition to the reception. There was a long line up for most of the night!

Online Gallery

An online gallery of all their images is available for the next 30 days. From the online gallery, you are able to favourite images, order prints and share the gallery with your family and friends. The gallery can be accessed via the link below and you can contact Lindsay and Michael’s directly for their secure password.

https://JMphotosCA.shootproof.com/PhoneWED

The Phone’s Wedding Day Slideshow

Above is the beautiful Wedding Slideshow that came with Lindsay and Michael’s wedding package. It was created from a selection of their best photos captured on their special day, mixed to their wedding song Thinking Out Loud by Ed Sheeran.
https://itunes.apple.com/ca/album//id858518077

We are so fortunate to have had the opportunity to share Lindsay and Michael’s special day with them and we wish them many years of happiness together.

Want to share in the experience? Contact us today for a free consultation or to book a portrait session!

Some of my Favourite Photos from Lindsay and Michael’s Wedding

The Phone’s Wedding Credits

Date | 9.3.16
Officiant – Deacon Stephen Robinson
Ceremony Location – St. Lukes Catholic Church
Reception Venue – The Metropolitan Conference Centre
Hair and Makeup – Hair by Vanessa Nicole and Makeup by Sarah Toa with Finding Forever After
DJ – Bo Khanh Ly
Photography by Jeremy Martel & Amy Cheng

Learn more about our studio

JM Photography offers Calgary brides the very best in wedding photography! Our unique style and best in class experience is one of a kind. Each wedding is treated with the greatest of care and creativity, resulting in breathtaking imagery. We also offer Calgary newborn photography, capture maternity sessions as well as family portraits.

One of the top studios in Western Canada, servicing the Calgary area, including but not limited to, Canmore, Banff, Cochrane, Chestermere, Airdrie, Lethbridge, and Red Deer. We also offer coverage in Edmonton, Vancouver and to destinations worldwide.

Jeremy Martel

A Calgary based wedding, family and event photographer that specializes in capturing the real moments of a couples story or event. He runs JM Studios and they offer couples, families, companies, corporations and brands the very best in modern photography. He began taking photos at 17 and has been captivated by mastering this art form ever since.