Elopement Photography Archives - Documentary Photographer Lara Eichhorn

Nadine and Trevor are Married

February 7, 2018 by Lara Eichhorn Leave a Comment

So, I had two brides named Nadine in a row, but their weddings couldn’t have been more different. Nadine and Trevor had a tiny ceremony at French Beach, just the two of them, an officiant, myself, and their florist to witness. It’s pretty lucky, and unlikely, that these two met through work since he’s from Vancouver and she’s a German living in Ireland, but they were clearly meant to be. Their ceremony was emotional with tears, laughter, and a mid-ceremony kiss. It was a super windy day on the beach, but Nadine didn’t mind her hair blowing around since she and Trevor were happily wrapped up in one another from the time I met them at their B&B to the moment I left the beach.

They collected rocks, driftwood, and sea glass from the beach to remember the day.

Location: French Beach
Officiant: Brenda Parkinson
Flowers: Karen at A Sea of Bloom

Ryan and Chisu are Married

April 14, 2017 by Lara Eichhorn Leave a Comment

Ryan and Chisu had a small ceremony at St. Ann’s Academy in Victoria, with only three guests in attendance, though they were so lively, it felt like more! They set up a tablet to record the ceremony so that Chisu’s family could see it from afar. Chisu was so giggly during the ceremony, I couldn’t tell whether she was laughing or crying most of the time. We wrapped up with a bunch of photos with their family and friends, including an impressive sibling high-low five move, showing how awesome it is to have just the people you love most at your wedding.

John and Sarah are Married

January 29, 2017 by Lara Eichhorn Leave a Comment

Sarah and John came from Minnesota to get married in Victoria, during out slightly less cold January. Some of his family lives here, so it was a intimate ceremony upstairs at The Guild. They were getting ready together at The Empress Hotel and I was able to capture his lucky-guy grin when he saw her in her dress. Then we walked over to The Guild, with Sarah braving the cold with bare legs and arms, but we managed to get some great portraits along the way. The ceremony was sweet and emotional, and it included John’s daughter being included in the ceremony. I left them to enjoy what was surely a yummy dinner downstairs in the pub.

Michelle and Cory are Married

November 21, 2016 by Lara Eichhorn Leave a Comment

Michelle and Cory originally planned a destination wedding in the Bahamas but according to Michelle, “Hurricane Matthew came along with other ideas.” They ended up changing their location to Victoria, just a bit across the border from their home in Washington state. They were both really good sports about it and had a fun intimate wedding with some of their friends and family, and I had fun hanging out with them too.

Deb and Alan are Married

November 11, 2016 by Lara Eichhorn Leave a Comment

Deb and Alan work together on a yacht in the Caribbean, so they took advantage of a visit to Victoria, where Deb is from, to get married. They originally planned to have her parents witness the ceremony, but ended up having his parents, her brother’s family, and Deb’s friend attend as well. They decorated the suite and set up some yummy treats and drinks. It was a really sweet, intimate wedding. And I overwhelmed even myself with so many photos of great interactions between people, and a couple of adorable kids.

Neil and Rory are Married

April 26, 2016 by Lara Eichhorn Leave a Comment

Neil and Rory live on opposite sides of the US-Canada border. They both traveled to the island to elope in Victoria, with a few close friends in attendance. They love the pacific northwest, so Ross Bay Beach was the perfect spot for their wedding with the ocean and mountains in the background.

Barbara Densmore officiated and when she’s there, you always know there will be something a bit different about the ceremony. They included an ancient celtic tradition of oathing stones, where they held stones in their hands while saying their vows. Barbara says that the basic symbolism of the stones is that they’re indestructible. They then took the stones, hand in hand, to the ocean and threw them in.

Before the wedding day, they each wrote up some of the things that they loved about each other and Barbara read those things out during the ceremony. They both heard what the other wrote for the first time and there was a lot of laughter between them.

Afterward, there were a lot of hugs, smiles, and some champagne. We took a few quick portraits and then they headed off to dinner with their joyful crew.

I love this photo of them waiting to start the ceremony. They look so serious and nervous, and then the emotion and laughter started with the ceremony. They each wore socks with the flag of the other’s country on them.

Karen and Mark are Married

April 19, 2016 by Lara Eichhorn 3 Comments

Karen and Mark had a small wedding at the gazebo on the westsong walkway in Esquimalt last Monday. The location was within view of Mark’s parents’ apartment where they were armed with binoculars, since it was difficult for them to travel to the site, and they also tuned in via video conference. Mark and Karen’s adult children attended along with a few other guests.

They chose the date of the 20 year anniversary of Karen’s family moving to Canada from England. Check out their tribute to their British relatives about halfway through this post. After the ceremony, we walked to Spinnakers where they met their family for lunch, stopping along the way for some photo opportunities and photo bombing strangers. I love how high-spirited and relaxed this wedding was.

Michelle and Kurt are Married

February 8, 2016 by Lara Eichhorn 1 Comment

Michelle and Kurt came to Victoria to get married in a simple ceremony with only her daughter’s family in attendance. This was my first ever church elopement and it was surprisingly relaxed and fun. After, we took a limo ride to Government House for some portraits. The limo ride with Michelle’s granddaughter was rather adorable, and the couple was playful and photogenic.

Makeup: Erin Bradley
Dress: Tres Chic Bridal Boutique

Solmaz and Sasha are Married

October 3, 2015 by Lara Eichhorn Leave a Comment

Solmaz and Sasha visited Victoria at the end of August to get married at the Inn at Laurel Point. I love elopements where it’s just two people in love. The awesome Iain Hooey officiated and provided a second witness (I got to be one too). We headed to the parliament buildings to take some portraits on a sunny day with cruise ship traffic and tourists galore. I think it was a great choice.

Alison and Philip are Married

July 29, 2015 by Lara Eichhorn Leave a Comment

Alison and Philip had an intimate wedding at Merridale Cider with only family in attendance, including her brother sharing officiant duty. I love these small weddings and how everyone feels so comfortable with each other. The emotions and laughter flowed easily. Their ceremony was lovely and an eventful mix of religious traditions, including a simply sweet chuppah, which provided some nice shade on a super sunny day.