Deanna and Jay came from Edmonton to get married in a family friend’s backyard, if you can call it a backyard – it was a sort of tropical paradise mixed with BC forest, including a bridge, waterfall, and gazebo. I was impressed at just the view from their house as the bride put on her dress.

Let’s back up a bit. Forecasts were calling for rain and I was sure we were going to have to use umbrellas for all of the portraits. The family had set up tents for the ceremony and cocktails. We arrived that morning to a gorgeous suite at The Pier Hotel in Sidney and revelled in the overcast light shining through the window as Deanna’s sister did her makeup. We kept stealing glances out the window, trying to pick some spots near the water where we could shoot in the rain.

We drove to the house in North Saanich and noticed the sun peeking out from behind the clouds. As Deanna put on her dress and helped Jay’s daughter Zoe get ready, we caught our first glimpse of the now sun-drenched greenery of the ceremony site where nineteen of their closest friends and family awaited. Deanna snuck down the back stairs and up the garden path with her father, spying Jay grinning in anticipation as the harpist played.

It had been over a year since I’d last seen Deanna and Jay, so I almost didn’t recognize them and wasn’t sure what to expect. They pleasantly surprised me by being super friendly, easy-going, and fun. During the ceremony, both Jay and Deanna were a stream of endless laughter and smiles. The ceremony felt quick and casual, but still so romantic.

We took some photos around the gardens as the guests snacked and congratulated the couple, then headed over to a beach in Deep Cove. Deanna and Jay braved the high winds and posed for some really sweet portraits. As we drove from the beach to The Pier where they would be meeting their guests for dinner, it started to rain. Hard. My plans to shoot some photos with umbrellas were ruined as we ran from our car to the hotel, getting soaked in seconds. We made the best of it and took some photos around the lobby and in the restaurant, then leaving the couple to relax a bit before dinner.

Deanna and Jay: I had such a wonderful time at your wedding. Your friendly and fearless natures made my job easy, allowing for some great portraits even when we were stuck indoors. I hope you’re having a wonderful honeymoon.

Hair: Haven Spa at the Sidney Pier Hotel
Makeup: Jillian Faulkner (sister)
Officiant: Marian Marsh
Dress: Allure Bridal from Novelle Bridal Edmonton