Archive for 2010

The Plaza New York and Grace Ormonde Wedding Style Magazine

Sunday, October 31st, 2010

“If this goes through, Lawrence, I guess they’ll have to shave a few hours from afternoon tea,” giggled Grace.

The air was filled with romance drawn from scenes of The Beatles, Frank Sinatra and other Greats walking through the same opulent lobby. The Plaza Hotel is the quintessence of elegance, which was the perfect pairing for Wedding Style Magazine’s New York party on October 15, 2010.

Ed Libby tweeted, “The who’s who of what’s what in NYC are here!!” I couldn’t agree more – I did a lot of gawking, stalking, and paparazzi-style shooting. Overall, I am humbled and honored that I had the opportunity to partake on this memorable event at such a landmark location.

“I have never seen the Palm Court look so sexy,” was Grace’s opening line. And it was welcomed with unanimous laughter.

the plaza hotel wedding

the plaza hotel wedding

the plaza hotel wedding

the plaza hotel wedding

This beautiful table set was put together by Ed Libby (recently worked on Lala’s wedding) and Roberta Karsch!

the plaza hotel wedding

the plaza hotel wedding

the plaza hotel wedding

the plaza hotel wedding

the plaza hotel wedding

the plaza hotel wedding

The following table was produced by Golf from Tantawan Bloom.

the plaza hotel wedding

the plaza hotel wedding

This wonderful centerpiece was also by Ed Libby.

the plaza hotel wedding

the plaza hotel wedding

the plaza hotel wedding

the plaza hotel wedding

the plaza hotel wedding

the plaza hotel wedding

the plaza hotel wedding

the plaza hotel wedding

the plaza hotel wedding

the plaza hotel wedding

the plaza hotel wedding

the plaza hotel wedding

the plaza hotel wedding

the plaza hotel wedding

the plaza hotel wedding

the plaza hotel wedding

“Say Yes to the Dress” Star Randy Fenoli and publisher Grace Ormonde!

the plaza hotel wedding

the plaza hotel wedding

Pablo from Nuage Designs, Roberta Karsh and Ed Libby!

the plaza hotel wedding

the plaza hotel wedding

Here is one of my paparazzi shots of Sylvia Weinstock – the queen of cakes!

the plaza hotel wedding

the plaza hotel wedding

Mike Colon and Yanni Tzoumas were chatting it up with the Wedding Style Magazine team.

the plaza hotel wedding

the plaza hotel wedding

Others who attended included Colin Cowie, Reem Acra, Ines Di Santo… I was a little star-struck to say the least. Unfortunately, I did not get photos of everyone. It was probably because I was eating…yummy!

The evening proceeded with lots of wine and wonderful conversations. The next morning, I decided to do a little pigeon feeding and HDR fun. Since the Apple store was not too far from The Plaza, I couldn’t resist.

the plaza hotel wedding

the plaza hotel wedding

Afterward, Yanni, Grace, Tracy, Mike and I went to a few fashion shows for Bridal Market. That was fun!

Yours truly,

Lawrence Chan

P.S. I have been to New York over a dozen times now and I keep FORGETTING to eat a street vendor hot dog!! Until next time…

Boston Mandarin Oriental and Wedding Style Magazine

Sunday, October 31st, 2010

I just flew in to Providence, Rhode Island the night before, so my inner clock is still not synced.

It was raining. I stole a glance at my watch and realized that it was time to go. I travel so much, I decided to get a nice wrist watch that had dual times. My girlfriend bought it for me as part of her retail therapy. I didn’t complain. She thought of me!

It takes quite a while to drive from Providence to Boston. Factoring in rain and potential accidents, incalculable. I was getting anxious.

“Grace [Ormonde]! Yanni! Let’s go!” I yelled. Paula, Wedding Style Magazine’s finance manager, was with me.

“Let’s go first,” Paula said. She’s quite talented. She put on makeup while making preparations for the Wedding Style Magazine party hosted at the gorgeous Boston Mandarin Oriental Hotel.

Boston Mandarin Oriental Hotel
776 Boylston Street
Boston, MA 0219

Okay set! The address was in the GPS.

I was responsible for the marketing and launch of the book parties. This was part of the grass-root campaign for Grace Ormonde’s new book. For this event, I was going to photograph a bit and record video the rest of the time.

boston mandarin oriental wedding

boston mandarin oriental wedding

boston mandarin oriental wedding

boston mandarin oriental wedding

boston mandarin oriental wedding

boston mandarin oriental wedding

boston mandarin oriental wedding

boston mandarin oriental wedding

boston mandarin oriental wedding

boston mandarin oriental wedding

boston mandarin oriental wedding

boston mandarin oriental wedding

boston mandarin oriental wedding

boston mandarin oriental wedding

Wow! On the right was Grace. On the left was the wedding designer for Chelsea Clinton’s wedding!

boston mandarin oriental wedding

boston mandarin oriental wedding

The evening ended with a random photo shoot and posh burgers for dinner…

Ciao for now,

Lawrence Chan

P.S. Shooting video in the rain was wicked!

Taryne and Nishan – A Wedding Like Royalty

Tuesday, August 10th, 2010

Let me preface with this fusion movie – watch in full screen and in HD!

I remember Taryne’s first email to me. It started with, “From one Chipotle fan to another…” I had a gut feeling it would be a good match.

We first met in Rhode Island. I was working at Grace Ormonde’s office and Taryne and Nishan were kind enough to meet me there. We chatted for about two hours and looked through a number of weddings. Still having my Europe pictures in storage, I decided to share those too.

That’s when I got a bit embarrassed…then we all did.

The Europe folder contained lots and lots of pictures of food…probably half the folder. They were of delicious European appetizers, cuisines, pastas, desserts…oh the desserts, beverages and more. I tried with all my might to stifle a low growl from my stomach, but the sound ripped through the chatter like a hot blade through butter.

Seriously, what do you do in those situations?

Tee hee was my response. Maybe they were trying to console me, so they let their stomachs growl too. Laughter ensued and…the wedding day.

first congregational church of los angeles wedding photos

first congregational church of los angeles wedding photos

first congregational church of los angeles wedding photos

first congregational church of los angeles wedding photos

first congregational church of los angeles wedding photos

first congregational church of los angeles wedding photos

first congregational church of los angeles wedding photos

first congregational church of los angeles wedding photos

first congregational church of los angeles wedding photos

first congregational church of los angeles wedding photos

first congregational church of los angeles wedding photos

first congregational church of los angeles wedding photos

first congregational church of los angeles wedding photos

first congregational church of los angeles wedding photos

first congregational church of los angeles wedding photos

first congregational church of los angeles wedding photos

first congregational church of los angeles wedding photos

first congregational church of los angeles wedding photos

first congregational church of los angeles wedding photos

first congregational church of los angeles wedding photos

first congregational church of los angeles wedding photos

first congregational church of los angeles wedding photos

first congregational church of los angeles wedding photos

first congregational church of los angeles wedding photos

They had a traditional church ceremony (First Congregational Church of Los Angeles) followed by a Sri Lankan Buddhist Ceremony held at the beautiful Beverly Wilshire (Four Seasons) in Beverly Hills.

first congregational church of los angeles wedding photos

first congregational church of los angeles wedding photos

first congregational church of los angeles wedding photos

first congregational church of los angeles wedding photos

first congregational church of los angeles wedding photos

first congregational church of los angeles wedding photos

first congregational church of los angeles wedding photos

first congregational church of los angeles wedding photos

first congregational church of los angeles wedding photos

first congregational church of los angeles wedding photos

first congregational church of los angeles wedding photos

first congregational church of los angeles wedding photos

Right after the ceremonies, we had roughly 10 minutes to take some private portraits. My original plan was to photograph it on the rooftop of Beverly Wilshire, but there wasn’t enough time. So we trekked over to the pool and used a cabana as our backdrop.

first congregational church of los angeles wedding photos

first congregational church of los angeles wedding photos

first congregational church of los angeles wedding photos

first congregational church of los angeles wedding photos

first congregational church of los angeles wedding photos

first congregational church of los angeles wedding photos

first congregational church of los angeles wedding photos

first congregational church of los angeles wedding photos

Since I know Taryne is super cool, I am going to post some cute candid moments :P

first congregational church of los angeles wedding photos

first congregational church of los angeles wedding photos

first congregational church of los angeles wedding photos

first congregational church of los angeles wedding photos

Awwwwwwwww…

first congregational church of los angeles wedding photos

first congregational church of los angeles wedding photos

Some mouthwatering cocktail and hors d’oeuvres…

first congregational church of los angeles wedding photos

first congregational church of los angeles wedding photos

first congregational church of los angeles wedding photos

first congregational church of los angeles wedding photos

first congregational church of los angeles wedding photos

first congregational church of los angeles wedding photos

And the reception was breathtaking! It had black chandeliers, gi-normous black dance floor, wispy drapes, beautiful lights…

I later learned from Taryne that Sri Lankan people liked to dance a lot. My first impression was – dang that is a HUGE dance floor. Conversely, Taryne’s first impression was – oh no, I hope it’s big enough. It barely contained everyone per the end of the video.

first congregational church of los angeles wedding photos

first congregational church of los angeles wedding photos

first congregational church of los angeles wedding photos

first congregational church of los angeles wedding photos

first congregational church of los angeles wedding photos

first congregational church of los angeles wedding photos

first congregational church of los angeles wedding photos

first congregational church of los angeles wedding photos

first congregational church of los angeles wedding photos

first congregational church of los angeles wedding photos

first congregational church of los angeles wedding photos

first congregational church of los angeles wedding photos

first congregational church of los angeles wedding photos

first congregational church of los angeles wedding photos

first congregational church of los angeles wedding photos

first congregational church of los angeles wedding photos

first congregational church of los angeles wedding photos

first congregational church of los angeles wedding photos

While everyone was dancing, Julie, Aaron Dieppa and I were in the back frantically editing photos / video and sampling some out-of-the-world-yummy-miniature-donuts-dipped-in-cinnamon. After licking our fingers clean, we put the photos and video onto an iPad for sharing.

first congregational church of los angeles wedding photos

first congregational church of los angeles wedding photos

So delicious…

Special thanks:

Beverly Wilshire
Monica Bewak – Associate Director of Catering

International Event Company
Jonathan Reeves, Ross and Mari

Classic Party Rentals
Kyle Hollars – Director of Lighting

Aaron Dieppa Photography – HUGE THANK YOU because doing video and photos by myself was a little crazy, so glad you were with me :)

Grace Ormonde Wedding Style Magazine
Thanks Grace – Taryne found me through the Platinum List!

Sincerely,

Lawrence Chan

P.S. Taryne makes these interesting cartoon sounds and we all concluded that she should do cartoon voice overs.

Alaska Landscape Photos

Friday, July 23rd, 2010

Last week I went to Vancouver, Canada for Image Explorations as the opening speaker where I discussed a number of business strategies for wedding photographers.

Afterwards, Julie and I hopped onto a Princess Cruise to see the Alaskan glaciers before they all melt. What a sight! I have never seen anything so majestic. After uploading it to facebook, a number of friends asked for a copy as a wallpaper. So here it is!

It’s all set for 1920×1200 resolution (so even for HD monitors) and HDR.

DOWNLOAD ALL WALLPAPERS HERE

Juneau Forest Fog

alaskan glaciers

alaskan glaciers

Ketchikan Boats

alaskan glaciers

alaskan glaciers

Ketchikan Creek Street

alaskan glaciers

alaskan glaciers

Ketchikan Cruise

alaskan glaciers

alaskan glaciers

Margerie Mountains

alaskan glaciers

alaskan glaciers

Margerie Passing

alaskan glaciers

alaskan glaciers

Wilbur and Orville Mountains

alaskan glaciers

alaskan glaciers

Margerie Glaciers

alaskan glaciers

alaskan glaciers

Mendenhall Creek

alaskan glaciers

alaskan glaciers

Mendenhall Glaciers

alaskan glaciers

alaskan glaciers

alaskan glaciers

alaskan glaciers

DOWNLOAD ALL WALLPAPERS HERE

Ciao for now,

Lawrence Chan

P.S. Yeah, Alaska was cold, but I still ate ice cream.

Jamaica Vacation at Couples Negril

Tuesday, July 20th, 2010

Julie and I made a trip to Jamaica for Helen and Matt’s wedding. Prior to the actual wedding date, we took some mini excursions on catamaran and treks to town.

Since I am experimenting with fusion movies (especially recently with Taryne and Nishan’s wedding), I decided to do it with my own vacation videos and photos. Enjoy!

Day 1

Day 2

Like Jamaica? Me too. If you’re getting married in the Caribbean Islands, let me know!

Lawrence Chan

P.S. Bring bug repellant. No joke. Or is this something normal and I was the only silly one who thought not to?