Bryn and Dan got married on Pender Island on Thanksgiving weekend. I was so excited for this wedding because these two are super fun and have great style (check out their adorable engagement shoot).  The wedding ended up being even more emotionally charged due to a family tragedy shortly before the event.  I’m so happy that everyone managed to still come together and celebrate their love.  Bryn and Dan are such a sweet couple and lucky to have found each other. I think the family definitely needed a bit of joy, and this wedding was certainly full of joy – best demonstrated by the look on Bryn’s face during the ceremony.

The couple and friends arrived the day before and started putting all the little DIY details into place. I love it when couples put so much of themselves into their weddings, and this wedding definitely was their style. They had mismatched tablecloths and napkins (and handkerchiefs in case you felt the need to cry during the ceremony, which I know people did), they put together the bouquets themselves, made poms to decorate the ceiling (in my favourite colours, pink and orange), had woodland creature masks for the kids to wear (by the end of the night, everyone had one on their head, if not their face), personalized signs, and plenty more. My favourite was the best bridesmaids dresses ever, which were a surprise to the groom, along with the bride’s reception dress. Oh, and the bride and groom’s matching shoes. They also had a cask of extra special beer brewed for them by their friends at Salt Spring Island Ales.The reception was full of great music, dancing, and even karaoke. So much fun, sweetness, and emotion. I loved this wedding and I really hope these photos can do it some justice.

Venue: Pender Islands Community Hall
Officiant: Dan’s father
Hair Stylist: Nicole Payer from Hope Bay Hair Salong
DJ: Johnny Pollard
Dress: Blush
Flowers: Red Barn Market
Shoes: Converse
Caterer: Fat Daddies (really yummy home-style and barbecue food)
Cakes: farmers’ market
Beer: Saltspring Island Ales

Susan and Tyler eloped at Abigail’s Hotel in Victoria, travelling with their daughter, parents, and Susan’s friend from Regina. I loved hanging out with them for a few hours and witnessing Susan’s excitement at seeing the gardens at Government House. She was in such a great mood, and for good reason. Though the champagne might have had a little bit to do with it. They took photos with their iPhones and sent them out to their friends and family after the ceremony, as they kept their elopement a secret from almost everyone.

Jeff and Ellicia came from Toronto to get married in Victoria, where Ellicia’s family lives. We’d chatted over Skype a few times before the wedding, which definitely made me feel like I knew them more than I usually do with out-of-town clients. They turned out to be just as fun and friendly as I thought they’d be and their wedding party, composed of Jeff’s friends and Ellicia’s sisters, were great to hang out with too. I love that Ellicia had a fabulous green dress for the reception, along with a different pair of shoes. I knew I liked her when I saw that her main wedding shoes were Fluevogs. Fluevogers are my kind of people.

They had their ceremony at the Church of the Nazarene, which was great because there was lots of room to move around due to their short guest list. The reception was at Swan’s Suites Hotel’s penthouse, and later moved downstairs to an event room and they did some dancing to the band at Swan’s Pub as well. Swan’s is such a gorgeous spot for a wedding reception. The view over the city is crazy beautiful and the penthouse suite looks like a super luxe place to spend the night. The spread of cocktail appys and desserts was impressive and they kept the champagne flowing. I was seriously excited about shooting there and I wasn’t disappointed.

Thanks to Deanna McCollum for second shooting, driving, and staying late with me. She took the photo of Ellicia coming down the stairs in her green dress, and many others throughout the day.

Venues: Victoria First Church of the Nazarene and Swan’s Suites Hotel penthouse
Caterer: Wild Saffron Bistro/Swan’s Suites Hotel
Florist: Jennings Florists
Hair and/or make-up: Kazen Hair and Beauty
Officiant: Rev. Gary Bennett
Dress: Maggie Sottero from Jealous Bridesmaids in Toronto
Reception Dress: Tony Bowls
Suits: Moore’s
Bride’s shoes: pink/red Fluevogs and black Town Shoes