Tag Archives: real wedding
Whistler Wedding Photography | Dig deeper, aim higher
Let’s raise the bar up shall we?
I have been trying to buy in, trying to truly believe that this is what my couples want in their photography.
Details, Details, Details.
That’s what you would have to believe if you spend enough time looking at the wedding blogs these days. Don’t get me wrong, I love my details. They help each of my brides express their own story and brings their final touches to their vision. I am right there eager to photograph them to help tell their story, plus they are lots of fun.
I do think however that my job, my real purpose as a photographer, as a storyteller is to dig deeper, to aim higher. Don’t just capture the pretty; capture the real, the raw, the emotion, the connection. To me there is nothing more rewarding (scary) to photograph than real emotions. It’s not for everyone and you can’t get there if you haven’t earned your couple’s trust. I would love to see more of that showcase in publications.
There is nothing sexier then a groom tearing up seeing his bride for the first time. The trust in having me photograph a couple remembering a parent gone too soon. The touch, the look of a grand parent or the spontaneous laughter between friends on a wedding day.
Let’s keep the “pretty” but let’s raise the bar to include more of the real.
Pascale oxo

Whistler Wedding Photography | Nita Lake Lodge | Real Wedding | Janice & Pat | Part 2
The sun is shining, it’s warm, I think back of this wedding and how it was grand. Time share with you Part 2 of Janice & Patrick’s Wedding Celebration. As you saw last week in Part 1, the day was filled with joy,emotion and laughter…the recipe for a stunning celebration full of perfect moments. A gorgeous venue and staff at Nita Lake Lodge lead by the sweetest girl, Kathleen and grandiose decor from the amazing work of Marcie and her team at Bliss Event + Decor.
Enjoy!
Pascale oxo
How did Whistler become your number one choice of where to tie the knot?
- We have lived out East since university, so many of our guests were from Ontario and Quebec. As a child, the sea to sky highway was a special drive that I used to do with my dad. When I grew up and was able to drive, I would always drive the highway for stress-relief because it is so beautiful. Pat is a big skier and has many fond memories of Whistler specifically. Our favorite weddings that we have attended had all of the guests staying in one place- that is why we chose Whistler and the Nita Lake Lodge. Luxury, but with a un-pretentious atmosphere.
What was your criteria when looking for your dress and how did you know once you found it?
- I actually chose a dress that was completely different from everything I said I wanted and everything my family and friends expected. For a girl that prides herself on being a tomboy, I didn’t think I wanted to feel like a princess. When I put that dress on however, that is how I felt and I loved the feeling. It was the type of dress that I knew I would never wear again and that was exciting for me. My taste has always been classic “with a twist” and this dress certainly fit the bill.
Describe your design elements and the inspiration behind them.
- The intention was to be classy but with a touch of fun (ie the candy bar). We wanted to add personal elements to our day that many people wouldn’t know the significance of (the purple pansy in my bouquet, old family wedding photos to remember where we came from, the candy gift was from the first company I worked for, we flew in Macaroons from Quebec as homage to our Quebec years, mom’s candlesticks from her wedding), etc
What was the number one piece of advice given to you while planning your wedding and what would you pass on to newly engaged brides to help them in the coming months?
- Make it your day- It is easy to get overwhelmed with all of the details and options that are out there. Know what matters to you and what you can let go of. The day will go by quickly and in the end, all that matters is that your friends and family are around you to marry the person that you love.
Vendors and suppliers;
- Photography; Gadbois Photography
- Flowers, Décor, Planning; Bliss Event & Design
- Venue; Nita Lake Lodge
- Wedding Invitations: Lovely Velo
- Wedding Cake; Cupcakes
Whistler Wedding Photography | Nita Lake Lodge | Real Wedding | Janice & Pat | Part 1
A gorgeous wedding at Nita Lake Lodge in Whistler.
Janice & Pat met in their final year of University at Queen’s in Ontario. Pat and Janice became friends and then following university, they moved to Toronto where they became roommates. Having been close friends for 7 years, they finally clued in that they were meant to be together. They were apparently the last two on Earth to realize this connection! And the rest as they say is history.
Having been living in separate city’s for two years (Toronto and Montreal), Janice came home one night expecting her Montreal condo to be empty…When she opened the door the entire condo was lit up with candles, there were beautiful flowers, with her favourite bottle of wine, Pat was waiting at the end of the hallway for her with the ring in his hands. He got down on one knee, told her “why” she was the person he wanted to spend the rest of his life with and asked her to marry him. She of course said yes! He then proceeded to make her a beautiful dinner. “It was an amazing, chill evening. Just like we like” said Janice.
What was your criteria when looking for your dress and how did you know once you found it?
- I actually chose a dress that was completely different from everything I said I wanted and everything my family and friends expected. For a girl that prides herself on being a tomboy, I didn’t think I wanted to feel like a princess. When I put that dress on however, that is how I felt and I loved the feeling. It was the type of dress that I knew I would never wear again and that was exciting for me. My taste has always been classic “with a twist” and this dress certainly fit the bill.
Is there a part of your wedding that at first you didn’t think much of it but in retrospect was a very pleasant surprise?
- The “first look” with Pat. I loved that we were on the railway- it was so us. In a big white dress on the filthy railway and loving all of it. I absolutely LOVED the anticipation of walking up to Pat. It was such a beautiful (and private) moment of the day.
- I also loved the whole aspect of all of our friends and family together in one place for a full weekend. We have never felt so loved. It took us a while to get used to being the centre of the attention but it was an amazing weekend.
Stay tuned….Part 2 of this gorgeous wedding will be featured in our next post.
Pascale oxo
Whistler Wedding Photography | Published | Tutu and Fru
We’ve been featured on Tutu and Fru!
Humble to have this wedding featured so soon in Tutu and Fru, this is a huge honour. A fun gorgeous couple with a few friends celebrate their union on the Peak to Peak.
Thank you to Rachael from Sea to Sky Celebration , to Michelle from Modern Celebrant and of course our sweet couple for an amazing day.
Pascale oxo
Whistler Wedding Photography | Rehearsal Dinner | Janice & Pat
When you have family members flying in for your wedding celebration from all over the country or even over seas it’s bound to be a great gathering.
When Janice & Pat approach me to capture their friends and family in the relax setting of the rehearsal dinner hosted by Pat’s parent’s in a private property in Whistler, I thought to myself, perfect setting to break the ice!
It was casual & fun and a great way to quickly have everyone get comfortable with having me around. We quickly realized that it also gave the perfect excuse to capture some great moments of the children, the grand parents, friends and their growing families and great friendships. It was Janice’s way of making sure everyone would have great photographs of themselves and their loved ones. Not to mention that I was able to steal the couple away for a few minutes for some romance before their big day!
Needless to say that on the wedding day no one was hidding from me and the comfort level and trust had already been establish. But we will treat you to THOSE images in a future post!
Enjoy,
Pascale oxo










































