Vancouver Wedding Photographer Blog- Brian Noppe Photography: Howard and Cassiana's "Carnaval"

Our friends Cassiana and Howard got married in Las Vegas a couple of weeks ago. Then they hosted a big party to celebrate at the River Rock Show Theatre in Richmond last weekend.

With a Brazilian Carnaval theme in mind, they sought the help of the always-awesome team at Dreamgroup Productions to make their vision come to life. Oh, and it did. The room was just beautiful.

As you'll see in the photos, each table had masks for the ladies and bead necklaces for the guys to keep things fun. I spotted a twinkle in the eyes behind one of the masks... Aha, my sharp-minded-and-tongued friend Vicki Gabereau ! I met Vicki several years ago when she retained me to photograph her daughter's wedding and it was great to see her.

Oh, I should mention that 4 years ago, by coincidence, the superlative Sheffield Design, the Interior Design company that did the interiors for the Casino Resort and Hotel, commissioned me to produce 8 large Fine Art prints with a "West Coast Nature" theme for their Hotel Convention area on the 3rd Floor. Please take the time to check them out if you are in the area. Many people know that I am a Portrait and Wedding photographer, but it's less known that I also have a huge library of Fine Art work. I just love to print and exhibit this kind of work and can even shoot to suit any theme you may have in mind.

Anyhow, what a blast we had at the wedding! Regina and I were lucky to have our friend Tania take care of our little darling Saphira for us while we had fun as just regular wedding guests for once! And I almost got away with leaving my guns (cameras) at home this time. Almost. Howard and Cassiana had two photographers covering everything professionally already, but I ended up taking a few shots too. There was also a great photobooth hosted by Dudley and Jane of Pixstar Photobooths that was really popular... we had some craaaaaazy fun shots!

The food was great and the music was wonderful as well. I can't remember the name of the band but I know one of the musicians was the excellent Cathy St. Germain.

As if that wasn't enough, Mike Reno, talented music producer and lead singer of Loverboy was there for a couple of sets and rocked the house. Later on, our jaws dropped to the floor as Canadian music icon Paul Anka took the stage and sang a song he wrote for Howard and Cassiana, to the tune of "My Way", which he originally wrote for Frank Sinatra!

Later, the biggest-wedding-cake-I've-ever-seen was rolled out, to the applause of all.

Congratulations, Cassiana and Howard... I wish you a long and wonderful life together!

Howard's parent's, Dr. and Mrs. Blank, breaking bread before dinner was served.

A slide show of their Vegas Wedding

Three hotties! Paula, Camila and Regina

The photo booth was great fun and popular. Everyone enjoyed it, especially my friend Edu, whom we nicknamed "Photo-Puta"! He was in there so many times, he kept the owner/operators, Dudley and Jane (she's in the background on the far right), busy changing ink cartridges. Ah well, at least he's photogenic. ;-D

The ol' wide-angle grab 'n' shoot with my buddies...

The girls at Dreamgroup were wearing trés chic fanny packs to keep things organized. Couldn't resist. Thanks for the butt shot, Genève.... :-D

Friends Rafael and Paula Funk

B.J. Cook and Vicki Gabereau

My peeps!

Cathy St. Germain et al

Cassiana joined on vocals as Howard played Congas

Camila Parks and my wife, Regina, the poseurs!

A radiant, and 7-months-pregnant Angelica Almeida Loughery, dancing in safety, away from our boisterous friends on the dancefloor....

Howard Blank, percussionist

Thanks to my good friend, Jason Parks, for grabbing my camera and taking this of Regina and I, Giv'n 'Er! Ah, Regina, you were in fine form that night ;-D.... Love you!