Its instant, its fun we love Polaroid

Weddings are a grand, elegant and fun time in our couple's lives, so we do look to experiment and be playful in "how" and with "what" we document. We're always looking to re-introduce old forgotten technologies that can capture and in many ways tell the day's story in a unique and in the case of Polaroid "instant" way. Much like our super 8mm motion picture, Polaroid is nothing new, but certainly relevant, nostalgic and exciting! There is something a little more intimate and artistic in the method and final surprise as we peel back to reveal the produced Polaroid. It’s a neat and cute way to add a little something different to the overall day's coverage.

June 14, 2007 - Homeward Bound

It's great to be back home! Our flight was long and daunting with the typical security checks and the added interest all our photography gear commands. With little time to rest, tomorrow we prepare for our weekend jobs ahead - two weddings, one being held in lovely Muskoka!

Our couples ask how we do it every weekend sometimes two three weddings, our answer has always been quite simple; this is a passion and therfore not your typical job. We absolutely love the people whom we work for; our couples, their families and friends as they all bring their own style to the day...we are there as guests interpreting the day with our cameras! This is our profession. We love what we do!

Truly A Wedding We Will Never Forget

We have always felt lucky to be a part of all our couple's day...but today's wedding is extraordinary and something we both will never forget! When we walked into Wan Chi's room words could not describe how beautiful and angelic she looked. We just knew this day was going to be special!



The couple along with Cynthia Martyn arranged two wedding ceremonies; one being symbolic the other more formal and legal (as required by Italian law). The excitement in the air was made clear the minute Wan Chi's brother pulled-up to the hotel in a cute Fiat! Weaving through narrow streets with the happy gaze of tourists and locals alike in one convoy after another of taxis we made our way to the amazing SkyLounge, located at the top of Florence's Hotel Continentale opposite to the Arno River. This uber chic lounge was the perfect place for the intimate ceremony.



As family and friends gathered on the rooftop the view below of Ponte Vecchio and Florence simply was stunning! This was really an amazing place to be...Ken and Wan Chi met eyes, vows exchanged and tea ceremonies held. Intimate and heartfelt, i don't think there was a dry eye in the room! With the ceremony completed, friends and family gathered for photographs and cocktails.



At 3:30pm, our newlyweds made their way on foot with friends and family by their side to Palazzo Vecchio , Florence's Town Hall for the second more formal ceremony. The walk over took us through the magnificent Piazza della Signoria, a real open-air exhibition: Palazzo Vecchio, with its sixteenth-century hall full of frescoes by Vasari, the Fountain of Neptune by Ammannati, and the copy of Michelangelo’s David all welcomed us as we enterd the square.



Walking through royal corridors, past grand courtyeards on our way up to the second floor for the civil wedding nothing would have prepeared us to what we were instore for. The majestic Palazzo Vecchio opened its grandest of doors to the inner Sala Rossa (Red Hall) which is an incredible room of Renaissance decoration and furnishing: huge red drapes and gold-framed mirrors, antique chandeliers, gilded chairs upholstered in red silk and velvet invited us to what quickly became a royal arrangement. This hall evokes a sense of nobility and owe to those getting married here. This day simply moved from one surprise to another for everyone!



Auguri Mr. & Mrs. Luong! With great honour and joy, camera and super 8mm film in hand we walked and taxi'd all around Florence from one stunning locale to another celebrating this great day! I wish we could post every moment captured on this day. Be sure to stay tuned as once we take delivery of the Super 8mm film from the lab we will be posting here a few vignettes!



Thank-you to Ken and Wan Chi to their families and friends for a wonderful experience that we will be sure to never forget.

mimmo+naz

June 9, 2007 - The Wedding Day - Early Rise

The previous day made for an enjoyable evening of wine and traditional homemade pasta. An early rise on a sunny, clear and very hot day we head out to Piazza Della Signoria to collect our thoughts and creative ideas for the afternoon wedding and of course our daily Biscotti and espresso!

Speaking to both Ken & Wan Chi it was quite clear that today will see a modern interpretation of both vows, and ceremony! A traditional Chinese Tea Ceremony along side personalized intimate vows as well the traditional walk to the church while the mother of the bride holds a red an umbrella over the brides thereby warding-off any bad luck should add to the gorgeous locations planned out for the day! It goes without saying how excited - See you shortly Ken & Wan Chi!

Keep posted as we will be updating the wedding's events in the next few days!

June 8th, 2007 - Wine, Olives & Friends - Part 2

As our bus made its way along the interior of Toscana and Chianti wine region the view dramatically changed from old cobblestoned roads, the high energy of Firenze metropolis and all its gorgeous buildings to winding roads leading to open rolling hills of vinyards. Its truly amazing that this region is incredibly large enough to produce no less supply the world's demand for the best Chanti!



At the top of one particular hill was a wine maker in the business for well over 600 years, Vignamaggio welcomed our wedding group with open arms. An interesting factoid worth mentioning is that this particular estate was once owned by the father of thee "Mona Lisa"! One can see the view is absolutley stunning, both Ken and Wan Chi we hope along with their families and friends will never forget. As our hostess walked us through the wine making process the piaste de resistance came at the top of the morning where we all sat down as a group to truly educate the palette: Three different types of wine with complimenting cheeses and meats were had and we both confess this was the highlight of the tour - Yummy! Thank-you!

June 8th, 2007 - Early start to a beautiful day - Part 1

Its our first full day here in Florence and it certainly begged to wake with the morning sun...and so we found ourselves walking the empty streets lured by the promise of fresh baked biscotti and espresso! It must be said, we will leave this city thinner in the wallet yet fatter everywhere else!




As we walked past the finest of stores we made our way down Via De Cerretani to Chiesa di Santa Maria del Fiore also more famously known as Del Duomo. We have posted two photo's of the cathedral. Just imagine in a couple hours this area, the roads will be packed with tourists and locals alike! The view and sheer scale of the cathedral is hard to describe, but its peaks reach for the skyline which is relative and therefore towers. Architectural and art detailing on the facade of the building defy words, well let us say one could easily spend hours studying them! Florence is rich and beautiful!

June 7, 2007 - 12 hours, 2 planes, 2 Countries ... Italia

The second our plane lifted to the sky everyday studio life lifted along with it, only to give way to the realization of what an incredible week lay ahead! Its not every weekend where you find yourself in Florence, Italy documenting an intimate wedding of two gracious loving people, their families and closest of friends. We certainly do feel lucky and blessed to have met both Ken & Wan Chi!

As our Taxi pulled-up to the hotel we were greeted by Cynthia Martyn, a good friend and talented planner who's been arranging every detail imaginable to make this week and wedding all the couple has dreamed it to be. Although met by one heck of a storm, we weathered it and scoped out the locations. Florence is absolutely gorgeous even under the gloomiest of sky's...which begs to say every location would be spectacular...hmm...tomorrow's forecast...sun, perfecto for our plans to taste the wines and visit the land of Chianti Classico, Tuscany!!

It's MINI, but it's not just another wedding show

We would love to cordially invite you to a little yet BIG idea! Please join us June 5th right through to the 17th at Toronto's first ever Mini Wedding Show. Located at The Lennox Gallery, 12 Ossington Avenue (Just north of Queen). This "all-things" wedding showcase hosted by The Wedding Co will provide couples the opportunity to discover the industry’s finest hand-picked vendors. Hope to see you there!

Amore in Firenze, Italia: June 6 - 13, 2007

It's finally hit us that within 2 days we'll be flying out to Florence, Italy to document Ken & Wan Chi's wedding. Over a year ago they saw us at the bridal show and fell in love with our work. We are so honoured and privileged to accompany them to the beautiful city of Florence to document their moments, and their events. Keep posted as we will be updating as often as possible while on this trip!

MoneySense recognizes mimmo+naz & Super 8mm Film

You can imagine how proud and happy we were when we first got the call! We have been in business for almost five years and this attention felt good! For many years our couples have fallen in love with our choice to capture and document their special day on Super 8mm motion picture film. Its hip, its romantic, timeless and honest! In an age of digital video, gaudy skits and fancy digital effects, Super 8mm simply needs to be seen.

Excited, we jumped at the chance and this article was published! Thank you to Pamela Young, the writer, and to Carmen & Travis, one of our cutest couples who openly shared their experience with the magazine