Davison & Elysia | Wedding

Elysia and Davison met in Mexico, her mom prompting Elysia to visit, all the while hinting to Davison of the arrival of her beautiful daughter. Davison, known as the eternal bachelor, finally met his match. His friends and family were quite shocked when announcing their engagement, but seeing them together... well, it all makes sense.

I've known Elysia since grade 2. For 6 months I lived on the small Northern Gulf Island, Read, and went to a small school where most of the students were boated in each morning. It was an amazing community to be exposed to. Neighbors became your family, everyone helped each other out. I became close friends with Avril and Elysia, writing each other for years after I left, and eventually visiting each other when we were older. To this day, they are two of the most caring, genuine, and FUN women I know.

More than 20 years later, I find myself returning to Read Island to attend Elyisa's wedding. Being the West Coast, it wasn't such a surprise that it rained all weekend, and even less of a surprise that everyone took it in stride. Family and friends cut down trees to make a huge tent, neighbors helped prepare the orchard, baked cakes and prepared food. Everyone pitched in to help create the perfect day... even though most of it was in the rain. The rain did ease in the evening, however, allowing everyone to dance the night away in the apple orchard, gumboots and all.

Elysia and Davison, it was so wonderful to share this day with you! Two beautiful souls... I love you! xoxo

 

It was an Apple Orchard Wedding...

Logistically, it was the worst place to have a wedding. An apple orchard down the path from Elysia's house she grew up in. On a tiny, boat access only, island. People came from far and wide to celebrate Davison and Elysia. Many planes, ferries, automobiles and speedboat rides later, they gathered in the same orchard Elysia took many of her first steps, and watched her take her very last steps as an single woman. It was perfect.

More photos to come shortly...

 

Chris & Cristi | Wedding

Warning! This is a long photo post due to my inability to narrow down the selection of gorgeous photos. It may be because I love this couple so very much, or it might be because they are just so beautiful themselves. It may be the tropical backdrop, or the great group of friends and family that helped make it so special... whatever the case, it was a magical day.

Chris and Cristi... my wish for you both is comfort on difficult days, smiles when sadness intrudes, patience to accept the truth, courage to know yourselves and love to complete your life. I hope rainbows are filling the sky in Kauai for your honeymoon! Much love... xoxo.

 

Chris & Cristi | the Day Before

I’ve known Cristi since first year at SFU. She sat across from me in a biology tutorial, and I couldn’t help but stare at her. Her beauty was soft, yet exotic… she was stunning. I soon found out that she was not only beautiful, but one of the most intelligent, caring, loyal and giving people I’ve yet to meet. We went through the Science program together, helping each other with calculus exams and chemistry labs, heartache and heart break, laughter and tears, exhaustion and fears. She was with me then and she is with me now. Always.

Tomorrow she is to be married to a great man. No longer the girl sitting across from me in university, she is now a radiant women ready to marry.

Thank you, my lovely, for the years of such a truly special friendship! I love you both… xoxo

Wedding | Clarke & Jinky

I'm kind of at a loss for words. I don't think people realize what a special experience it is to photograph a wedding. Add to the fact it was an intimate, secret wedding with just a few close family members, and that it took place in the warm evening sun on a dock under a willow tree surrounded by vineyards and orchards! The setting was incredible, the bride and groom stunning, the atmosphere so loving and joyful. At one point I became really present to where I was and what was taking place, and I almost, almost, began weeping like the willow above me. I had to switch into work mode, and separate myself from the words spoken, the tears shed, the smiles and laughter shared. It wasn't until that I got home a couple days later and began editing the photos that I began to really feel the moment again and experience what I couldn't allow myself to at the time. There are certain moments in our life that change us, and witnessing this beautiful ceremony and sharing this day was one for me.

The day was loosely planned, but being Canada Day, a holiday with most stores closed, there were a few speed bumps along the way. Jinky, the ever calm and collected bride, took it all in stride (and she may or may not have been laying by the pool an hour before we left to the ceremony!). Everything was perfect; the ceremony location couldn't have been more ideal (Thank you Anthony and Tamara!), the weather remained clear with no signs of the previous night's storm, even a winery opened for us and gave us a private wine tasting! The day ended with an incredible dinner at Quails Gate Winery and Canada Day fireworks that lit up the whole lake and the thousands of boats watching below. Fireworks every year on their anniversary! Lucky!

Clarke and Jinky- it was such an honor to photograph this day and help create a wonderful, lasting memory. Your love is beautiful, as are you. I will always cherish this... xo

John, Marion, Blake and Taeko- Thank you for such a great day with so much fun and laughter. By the end of the day I felt like part of the family... which is the best gift of all!

Portrait | Trevor and Jenn

There's just something about Jenn's style. Her wardrobe is always to die for, an attitude that is all about having fun and a laugh that could melt anyone. And apparently her style transcends to her home as well! Who else would put the new stainless steel fridge in the garage as the beer fridge and buy an old vintage one for their retro style kitchen because it is "better suited"? Or moreso, who would let her? And that's where Trevor comes in. He just gets her, and, I imagine, loves her more because of things like wanting a vintage fridge no matter how much electricity it uses! And then there's her infectious laugh and great smile and soft beauty that radiates even moreso while pregnant. 

You've created a beautiful home filled with such love! What a blessed baby! I can't wait to meet her...   xo