For their engagement photos, Michelle and Mitch wanted something a little out of the ordinary. “I wanted something spicier and more memorable than the usual engagement shoot. Something that would take us out of our comfort zones, that would make us look back in 30 years and say, ‘that was crazy!’” explains Michelle. They chose to do a “Trash the Dress” session with photographer Jamie Delaine, in which the bride wears a wedding gown but allows it to get wet, dirty, torn, etc. Some brides actually “trash” their dress after it has been worn on the wedding day as a cheeky defiance against the tradition of keeping the dress pristine, tucked away in a box somewhere. For Michelle, the dress wasn’t the one she wore on her wedding day but one she found at a vintage store, “It was a match made in heaven though, as it fit with minimal alteration and was exactly the style I wanted, simple and elegant.”
Their photo shoot took place in Vancouver’s Chinatown and, seen in the photos above, at Finn Slough in Richmond, the latter chosen because it had a unique and isolated feel. Though the water was quite cold, the couple loved the spontaneity of their shoot and in the end the shockingly cold water and dirty mud lent the gritty, natural, and fun experience they were looking for.
Photographer Jamie Delaine is in love with life: laughing until her stomach hurts, drinking green tea, rainy Vancouver days, cardigan sweaters, and learning to love selflessly. She is constantly dreaming and seeking out new ways to express her creativity and nothing excites her more than meeting couples that are uniquely and truly themselves. Collaborating with her clients, Jamie creates photographs that are authentic and real, overflowing with laughter and life.
Tricia wanted their wedding to be, of course, pretty, but mostly both she and Chris just wanted the day to be relaxed and fun. “We aren’t much for the spotlight, so keeping things pretty natural and informal felt right,” Tricia says of their celebration at 
Earning her BFA in 2002, Melia immediately launched Lucida Photography for couples who seek a documentary approach for their weddings but also desire strong creative portraiture. She enjoys collaborating with clients to create images capturing character as well as beauty. She is an often-featured contributor to real weddings Magazine. 
This Saturday, January 30, drop in to 
Roger Mahler and Holly Truchan of 
