Top 10 best photography blogs of 2010...

About a week ago Canon Blogger came out with the 10 best photography blogs for 2010 and much to my surprise Weekly Photo Tips was on the list at number six.

When I see stuff like that I am truly humbled that something I started as a way to keep my photography friends informed of things I found on my endless internet wandering has turned into something very different.

But the bottom line is any popularity this blog may enjoy is because of you, the good folks spend some of your precious time here.

Be sure to stop by Canon Blogger and see who else is on the list and thanks to Jason for his high opinion of Weekly Photo Tips and to you for making it what it is.

This may not be about photography...

But I think you are really going to find it quite handy.

Have you ever had to reinstall your computer software, or bought a new computer and needed to install all those indispensable free programs like iTunes, Adobe Reader, Skype, AVG, Firefox, and... well, I think you get my point.

There is a new (and free) site called Ninite that allows you to select from over 65 of the most popular (free) programs and then creates a custom installer so it's all done at once.

A few really cool features include:

1. Ninite installs software with the default settings and always says "no" to browser toolbars and other junk add-ons.

2. Ninite checks your computers language and 64-bit support to install the latest, best version of
each program.

3. Ninite runs on Windows XP, Vista, and Windows 7, works in the background providing an unattended 100% hands-free install.

A very convenient time saver.

THE KLEINFELD EXPERIENCE CONTEST!!

One lucky bride-to-be will get a chance to take part in this once in a lifetime experience!

Your love story could win you:

· a $5000 gift certificate to Kleinfeld
· a private store opening in Manhattan, New York
· personal styling services provided by Randy Fenoli and a Kleinfeld Bridal Consultant
· free airfare and five-star accommodations

Entering the contest is easy!

Submit your engagement or romance story to TheRingBearer.ca before February 14 2010. The Top 10 love stories will be posted online on February 19 2010. You, along with the rest of Canada, will have one month to vote for your favourite! The winner of The Kleinfeld Experience will be announced on March 20 2010 after the nationwide vote has been tallied!

MOVIE DAY

Whether you're hiding out from the cold at the art gallery or embracing it skating on the canal, there are a ton of fun things to do and great ways to spend a January afternoon in Ottawa. But sometimes it's nice to just stay home, snuggle up on the couch with a warm blanket and a hot cup of tea, and have a movie day. A wedding movie day of course! Here are a few we love. What's your favourite wedding movie?

VÉRONIQUE & ANDREW GET MARRIED!!

Véronique & Andrew were married at the Crowne Plaza on Saturday January 30 2010. Their entire winter wedding took place on the Penthouse level. The ceremony was held in the Panorama Room, cocktail hour in the Foyer, and then dinner was served in the Pinnacle Room. The view from each area of the Penthouse was just breathtaking. It truly was a magical night! Viva la wedding wishes Véronique & Andrew all the best in their new life together!

Here are a few images captured by Blair Gable. Visit his wedding blog to see more of his amazing work.

Venue: Crowne Plaza
Linen: Groovy Linen
Flowers: Mood Moss
DJ: Quality Entertainment
Cake: TJ's Cake Design
Hair: Anne Marie Rooney
Makeup: Sarah Walsh
Photographer: Blair Gable

EMBRACE THE COLD

Some couples choose to get married in the winter months, seeing it as an excuse to plan a destination wedding down south and get out of the cold. Other couples choose not only to embrace the cold weather our winter months are famous for, but head even further north to celebrate. If you're planning a winter wedding and fall into the 2nd category, Viva has the perfect place for you!

Since 2001 the Hôtel de Glace has wowed over half a million visitors. Open from the begining of January to the end of March, every year the hotel is redesigned and rebuilt in its entirety (which takes approximately five weeks). From the moment you enter the hotel, you'll be blown away by the amazing decor made entirely of ice and snow. Chandeliers (made of ice of course!) hang from 18 foot ceilings, artwork emerges from the walls of snow, and all the furniture is made of sheer ice.

There are 36 rooms and theme suites for guests to spend the night - yes, your bed is a block of ice but a wood boxspring and matress lie on top. There's an interior courtyard, an Ice Cafe, hot tubs, saunas, functional fireplaces, an ice slide (9 feet high and 53 feet long) and a reception room known as the Ice Bar - the perfect place to enjoy a little live entertainment and a cocktail or two.

And for those of you planning your wedding, there's the Chapel (pictured below) - a unique and simply beautiful place where couples exchange their vows each year. There are three wedding packages to choose from - The Romantic from $2199, the Exotic from $3899, and the Magical from $6199. Arrival in a horse drawn carriage, fireworks and open bar are all optional add-ons to help personalize your day.

The Hôtel de Glace is at Station touristique Duchesnay on the shores of Lac St-Joseph, just 30 minutes from Québec City.

TAKE ME TO THE BEACH!

Brrrr! While Viva loves winter weddings, we don't love winter. It's darn cold in Ottawa and after blogging about a hotel made of ice, we need a little something to warm us up! Lisa Vorce of Oh, How Charming! to the rescue!

Lisa was the creative mind behind this rustic beach wedding. Not the typical wedding we may invision when we think of a destination beach wedding but that's what got our attention. There isn't a detail here we don't love.

Photo Credits: Elizabeth Messina