I may not be big on weddings, but they certainly have a penchant for attracting beauty.

Big kid on campus, Wedluxe Magazine, has moved from their Vancouver homebase, and taken over the Toronto wedding scene. Amidst photographers and models clamouring for covers, and employees who are only just settling into the new building, they somehow managed to throw the biggest wedding trade show of the year.

With it, they've certainly got the wedding planners covered. There were tons of them, and they were focused. Pen and pads primed to document their new favourite photographer/dress/makeup artist/baker, etc. Littered among them, of course, but somewhat less confident, were the brides-to-be. And instead of the bridezilla mentality I expected, they were all pretty rational, simply interested in finding out as much as they could about the business of weddings (and how to avoid waiting in line for an hour for the elevator). "Do you spend your money on the food, or the dress?, "What makeup application ensures the longest wear, with the least caking?", and my favourite, "does my boyfriend have to be into it?". No comment.

Here are my picks for the best of the best on the wedding scene.  As seen at the Wedluxe Show:

The Best Wedding Photographer: I was really impressed by what I saw from Verve Photo Co. Their shots are almost as good as their post-processing, and that's a hard combination to find. Their shots were tasteful, timeless, and flawless. Plus they're extremely likeable ladies...you can't go far wrong provided their availability can accomodate you.

Mad love also for Alex Albojer at LifeImages. I've spent a crazy amount of time looking at their blog in the past, and it was great to finally meet in person. See their shot on the cover of Wedluxe, above. The angles and use of light in their portfolio is amazing, and extremely creative, which is so hard to maintain on the 12th hour of a wedding, but somehow they seem to manage. The website is one of the Bible's for wedding photographers...and I spot shot-copies everywhere...

Both studios are pretty incredible, so let's just call this a tie. 

The Best Cakes: This one was really no contest (sorry everyone else). Cake Opera is just the sh*t. In the best way possible. If these creams don't make you cream, well...I'll just stop. But trust, Cake Opera is in a league all of (her) own. As is her website! How can you have a website that great, for cake? 

I can't even fathom how many hours it would take to make something like that. Or, how much it would cost. 

The Best Use of Flowers: Pretty Bloom. I hadn't heard of the company before, but this floral headdress is all I need to know. Hippie heaven...

That said, if you're talking centerpieces and bouquets, STEMZ is a no-brainer. 

The Best Invitations: I have to give this to Paper and Poste. I've worked with these lovely ladies before, and will always have a soft spot in my heart for them. They will bring your invitation to life, and you'll be dreaming in fonts and seals...

The Best Innovation: Onsite childcare. A company names Little Party Goers will make your wedding magical, even for the biggest procreator in the bunch. They can be hired for virtually any occasion, but a wedding seems absolutely genius. What kid likes listening to speeches? But bouncey castles?

The Best Table Dressing: Susan Murray operates a luxury linen & decor rental company, and I really dug her style. Warm and detailed, with a renaissance flair. Her stuff was so beautiful, I was excited just to be able to photograph it!

More of what it looked like inside....

xo Holland

Photos by Katherine Holland