Pre-wedding photos in Stanley Park: Shanny + Andy
When Shanny and Andy contacted us for their pre-wedding photos in Stanley Park, we were over the moon! Not only did they love the coast and mountains of third beach (yay nature!), they flew to Vancouver from Hong Kong, just for their shoot! I can't even begin to express how special this made us feel.
I kinda knew Shanny's dress would be impressive, but when I first saw it, wawza! This wedding dress had hands down the biggest train I've ever photographed. Regardless of the train and the delicate dress, Shanny walked on the beach, in the sand and climbed on rocks. It was awesome! And believe it or not, her dress wasn't even dirty afterwards. Not sure how she did it!
Stanley park is so big that it just has all kinds of different views! With this couple, we went from the beach, to getting an epic city skyline vista, to checking out the Lion's gate bridge. We honestly could have stayed there and visited a lot of other places. But Shanny and Andy had the idea of visiting their friend's store: Mister. I hadn't heard of it before. You must try it when you're in Yaletown! They create artisan icecream from scratch with liquid nitrogen. And even if you don't like ice cream, just looking at them working is totally worth a visit! But let's be serious, who doesn't like ice-cream! ;)
Shanny and Andy, thanks again guys for working with us! We wish you all the best for your wedding in Hong Kong and hope to visit one day!
Interested in booking your own pre-wedding shoot? Don't hesitate to get in touch! We help you plan the shoot and find the best spots for your vision! Want to go to a mountain top, a lush forest, the ocean, a wall of rocks... we've got you covered! Of course we're available for travel! Send us a message right here!
Flood Falls and Jones Lake adventures
Jones Lake is one of those places you'll see passing by on Instagram that looks like an "out of this world" environment. Of course it was on my bucket list for quite some time! A few weeks ago we made it happen.
We left our place in Vancouver around noon. Because, you know, it was a day off. ;) Driving to Flood Falls, which had been on my wish list too, took about 1.5 hrs. Totally worth it. Such a peaceful spot in nature. I went crazy on my forest and light obsession. The impressive waterfall at the end was the icing on the cake. We spent quite a bit of time there but realized that if we wanted to make it to Jones Lake, we'd better take off!
To get to Jones Lake, you have to take a dirt road with quite a few potholes. Jelger, excited as always to try our car, got us through safely. I'm not good at off-road driving (yet). The one time I tried I just drove through all the holes. (BAD, hahaha) After a shaky ride, we were literally the only ones at the lake. Hello nature! And hello wind! It's so wild out there! After all the logging activity, the hundreds of tree stumps next to the lake make for the perfect location for some kind of post-apocalyptic movie.
Jelger had collected dry branches at the falls and took them with him in case there wasn't any dry wood. Of course our car is now still filled with little pieces of bark. ;) He found some suitable fire wood and reinforced an existing fire pit with rocks. There's something magical about fire. It draws people together and it encourages storytelling.
Next time we go, it'll be for some car camping and more exploring of the views! Or maybe an engagement shoot? I can only imagine how stunning this place must be at sunset!
Flood Falls
Jones Lake
Lighthouse Park engagement shoot: Alli + Mikk
Lighthouse Park is an amazing place for an engagement shoot. Jelger and I have been there several times, but every time we discover a new spot and more ideas for the next time. :) You can head straight for the "obvious beach", which would be to just walk straight ahead from the parking towards the ocean. Or you can choose to pick one of the less crowded side trails, which is exactly what we did for Alli and Mikk's engagement shoot.
Because their wedding will incorporate a lot of forest, they opted to have a lot of "ocean and rocks" going on during their engagement shoot. They chose the most unique space that has some serious Game of Thrones vibes going on. And it's the best kept secret: the Estonian society's house in Mission.
But back to Lighthouse Park, which definitely offers ocean and rocks. We explored a little secluded beach and afterwards climbed to a good spot to watch the sun go down. While we were enjoying the sunset something special happened! Alli, who's an avid sailboat racer, saw her boat sailing by. What a fun coincidence!
Jelger got totally excited when he spotted a Canada Goose, or "goose" if you'd ask him. We seem to continue running into these birds during our photo shoots. Recently Jelger photographed another one at a wedding. He just had to include a goose silhouette.
Thank you so much for the fun engagement shoot, Alli and Mikk! Can't wait to photograph your wedding in less than two weeks!
Lighthouse Park engagement shoot
We are available for engagement shoots in Vancouver, Squamish, Whistler and all over the Lower Mainland. For your own adventure, we will help you choose the perfect location based on the type of nature you love. In a Lighthouse Park engagement shoot, you'll enjoy ocean views, epic landscapes and rocks. And of course there's a neat lighthouse! The forest surrounding the beach area offers a rugged West Coast vibe. Get in touch here and let's make your shoot happen!
Lounging at Buntzen Lake
Buntzen Lake, so far I've hiked there twice, but never managed to complete the loop around the lake. It's a bit silly really. On our days off, we wake up late and slooooowly drink our coffee. When I say slowly, I do mean it takes at least 2 hours. ;) The next step would be: "Oh, let's go outside. But where do we go?" This is usually followed by me googling random things. Once we know where we'll hike, of course we need food first. And then we leave.
During our last trip to Buntzen Lake I was determined to hike around the lake. It's only 10km and it shouldn't take longer than 3.5 hours however this was the first hike with our new camera (for the gear heads, it's a Fujifilm X-T2). Jelger was patiently teaching me how to use it. I don't know how he does it, but he just reads the manual and right away knows everything. I on the other hand am the complete opposite. First I start reading the manual only to fall asleep after 15 min. And of course I forget everything as soon as I've read it. It's a mystery to me how I ever managed to get a university degree or know how to operate any electrical device. I'm a more of a hands-on student, so a hike was the perfect way to get my feet wet.
Jelger showed me the basics and as if on cue, picturesque scenes unfolded in front of me. The lake looked amazing, a lonely fisherman dressed in the perfect yellow jacket for the occasion, a couple of geese flew by... And a rainbow. All the things. ;)
We made it about a quarter into the hike when I remembered that the park gate closes around sunset. Instantly we hurried back and barely made it. The park staff literally closed the gate behind us!
Note to self. If I actually want to finish the loop, I'll have to either get up early or leave my camera at home.
PS: I would love to photograph an engagement shoot here! Are you up for an adventure with us? Get in touch!
Buntzen Lake Photos
Fun photos
-
Jelger's back-of-the-book-pose. -
Me, pretending to be a wombat. (now google "wombat", I'm not that far off ;) ) -
-
-
Grouse Mountain wedding: Lauren and Casey
When Lauren and Casey started planning their Grouse Mountain wedding, I'm sure they could not predict the weather! It was Easter weekend, but instead of sunshine or typical Vancouver rain, the weather went all crazy.
We met at Cleveland Dam, for their first look. Rain poured from the sky followed by a dump of hail. But a determined Lauren armed herself with umbrellas. She would do the first look outside, no matter what. As the hail stopped, Casey's face lit up when he saw her.
After the first look we headed up to the skyride at Grouse Mountain. As soon as we arrived at the parking lot we noticed fresh snow on the ground! What?! While going up the gondola was soon wrapped in a thick fog. On the peak of the mountain snow fell from a grey cloud deck. And the snow covered pine trees made everything feel Christmassy.
Despite the Winter conditions outside Lauren and Casey were convinced. They wanted outdoor photos and had some had arranged for Cleo the barn owl to join them! You might remember Cleo from a shoot we did earlier this year. She's the sweetest owl and I love seeing how her wildlife manager cares for her.
After the outdoor portraits we fled inside to warm ourselves up at the beautiful big fire place. In addition we explored some of the photographic options that the lodge has to offer. I continue to be amazed by the various nooks and crannies that offer a genuine Canadian log cabin vibe.
I love how they incorporated cute details inspired by both their backgrounds. Lauren, who is from Vancouver met Casey while studying in the US, which is where to two of them live now. For their wedding they chose for the scenic mountain view of Grouse Mountain.
Thank you so much Lauren and Casey for having us at your wedding!
PS: When we headed down after the wedding, the sun was shining downtown and people walked around in T-shirts. :P Got to love the mountains, haha, always unexpected surprises!
Grouse mountain wedding photos
Wedding vendors
- Venue + catering: Grouse Mountain
- Florist: Thomas Hobbs
- Makeup and hair artist: All Dolled Up Makeup & Hair
- Cake artist: Cake by Annie
- Live music (string players): Musical Occasions
- Officiant: Jane from Young, Hip & Married
- Bridal dress designer/brand: Hayley Paige
- Groom's suit designer/brand or tuxedo rental: Joseph Abboud
Emerald Lake Lodge: a dream wedding venue
I have been following the Emerald Lake Lodge's instagram account for a long time. It's definitely one of my dream wedding venues in BC! So when we decided to do our Yoho road trip, I just had to pay the lodge a visit!
Prior to leaving I was concerned that the lake would still be frozen. Luckily it thawed just in time and we admired the beginning of the emerald colours this lake is so well known for. It becomes even more obvious in Summer (depending on the angle), but man is it ever gorgeous (and green!) out there! The Emerald Lake Lodge itself, looks like something straight from a fairytale!
I played "photo Santa" for a shy older couple that was politely waiting to take a picture. With that I mean that I sometimes randomly offer someone to take their photo with their phone. Of course I don't tell them that I'm a photographer. And than I make sure to make a ridiculously good-looking photo of them. Nothing beats seeing their reaction when I walk away. ;)
We considered a little canoe trip, but then decided against it when we saw the herds of tourists. Instead to escape the stampede of photo crazies, we picked a small hike out of the many options. Our gut told us to head up to higher grounds to get rid of the bus-transported-crowd. So we hiked to Hamilton Falls, which to our delight was deserted. Once arrived at the falls, we sorted out a cool spot in the shade and had lunch. Next I made Jelger climb down the steep slope and do his famous "Jelger pose", to give you a sense of perspective. ;)
Emerald Lake Lodge and it's beautiful natural scenic surroundings are truly a magical place. If you're considering this location for your wedding venue, don't hesitate to get in touch with us and we'll adventure there together.
Emerald Lake Lodge
Hamilton Falls
Hoodoos in Yoho National Park
One of the hikes I spotted before driving to Yoho National Park was the Hoodoos hike. I had never heard the word hoodoo before. I kept repeating it to Jelger until it drove him slightly crazy. ;) Of course I wanted to do this hike and see them in person!
While passing the entrance I noticed the campground nearby was still closed. Uh-oh. Luckily the tourist centre in Field (it's gorgeous there too! I'll share some photos) told us the hike was already accessible. So back we went and when we arrived, we had the entire road to ourselves. Turns out we were the only visitors for the remainder of the day. Just the way we like it. ;)
Things got interesting... I read in an online blog to look for a little bridge (more like a couple of wooden beams) across the river. Except we couldn't find it anywhere! And the river, that looked surprisingly small and cute from a distance ( even in my photo!), was actually rather wild and gushing. Not exactly wadeable.
Luckily we found a fallen tree that created a natural bridge down the stream. We braced ourselves and carefully shuffled across the trunk. A good adrenaline kick later, we started the hike on the other side. As if the river crossing experience wasn't exciting enough, we made our way through an eerie forest of charred matchstick trees. Creaking noises surrounded us with every blow of wind.
Once the burned tree line cleared the hiking trail continued up the mountain and gave a beautiful outlook over the surrounding valleys. At one point, we thought we'd been hiking an awful long time for just 1.6 km, which was the length according to the park signs. We started to wonder if we'd taken a wrong turn, but consulting the blog's detailed directions, we were almost next to the Hoodoos. And indeed, a few steps onward the trail curved and presented us the hoodoos in all their glory. Funny detail, on our way back we noticed that we weren't the only hikers who felt the distance was awfully long. Someone had corrected the official park sign with spray paint: it read "1.6 km mil". We'd totally missed that on our way up.
Anyways, once we'd reached the end point, I was in awe of the scenic views. My photos honestly don't do this place any justice. The hoodoos are soooo big and totally different from their immediate environment. While I took photos, Jelger decided to make a little inuksuk in the perfect spot where future hikers would be greeted by it. I think he did a great job! ;)
We took a long break at the foot of the mighty hoodoos and talked about life. Next we followed the hiking trail to the top of the rock towers. Finally we headed back to our car and luckily our tree bridge was still solidly in place. Otherwise we would've had another interesting story to tell you. :P
If you're ever passing through Yoho National Park in British Columbia, definitely take the time to check out this hike! :) I highly recommend it!!
Field BC
Hoodoos hike in Yoho
Rocky Mountain Car camping in Yoho NP
When I glanced at our insane May schedule a few weeks ago, I knew I had to do something. So I decided to organize a tiny road trip with car camping. ;) With only 5 days to spare it'd have to be something short, but great. While randomly browsing Google Maps (something I've learned from Jelger, who adores maps) I spotted Yoho National Park. I had never hear of it before. Even though we had driven through once in the Winter (in 2013) but everything was frozen and closed!
Jelger made me promise we'd book a hotel if the weather would turn sour. He was still traumatized by our previous car camping trip when it was pouring rain the entire time. But other than that he suddenly transformed into "practical outdoorsy dude". He built a platform for our car so we could have room for storage and bring a lot of items. Best of all he bought an axe. I thought it was for show, but noooo. He actually used the thing every day! ;)
After a loooong drive (they closed off the Coquihalla pass) we arrived at the Kicking Horse Campsite in Yoho NP. Such a beautiful little piece of paradise! Piles of firewood, a cozy and private atmosphere and lots of magnificent mountains surrounding it.
Jelger's cast iron skillet was perfect for cooking on an open fire and during our entire trip we cooked every meal from scratch. I don't think we ever travelled with this much food. :P And of course Jelger needed coffee. Every. Morning. When you're in the middle of nowhere, the best solution: cowboy coffee. Similar preparation as Turkish coffee.
At night we looked at the stars through our glass roof. It was fantastic. And in the morning, we didn't wake up too early because Jelger made window covers out of isolating materials. I told you he transformed into a super handy man!
I'm sharing more photos of our trip soon, but I took way too many to post everything at once, hehe. So for now, here are some shots of our car in action, Jelger's amazing cooking stuff and the beautiful sights in and around Kicking Horse campground. :)
PS: In case you're wondering, several places were still closed due to snow and avalanches. The park's website is very much up to date!
Porteau Cove engagement shoot: Carrie + Calvin
I visited Porteau Cove so many times I lost count! Every time we drive back to Vancouver from Whistler or Squamish, it's a mandatory pit stop for me. The nature out there is stunning and it's so easy to quickly stretch your legs and have a walk on the beach! (and there are washrooms... ;) )
When Carrie and Calvin decided on Porteau Cove for their engagement photos, we couldn't be more thrilled! They had never been to this spot before, but they knew they wanted photos in nature with a West Coast vibe: check and check!
We explored the environment together. This included starting of the shoot with their vision for an epic jumping photo! Taking the leap and such... Check it out for yourself: they nailed it!
Sometimes when in nature you have to conquer a few obstacles, such as a little ice-cold stream that Carrie ended up crossing barefoot in order not to destroy her Toms. That and balancing on trees, climbing over slippery rocks, you name it. ;) Carrie and Calvin went for it and had at ton of fun in the process.
It's the best feeling when our couples are in the mood for some goofy moments and play in nature. Of course we love the epic nature shots, but there's something magical in those playful moments ;) Carrie and Calvin tried to push each other of a tree trunk and at some point the idea of a Titanic pose occurred. Yep, we totally went there, haha, why not! Nothing is off limits. ;)
At some point in our career, we started to take ourselves a little too serious and even frowned upon silly poses. It feels weird to think about that now. As a couple, Jelger and I share picture perfect moments. We can look amazing in nature and dress up fancy. But we also have fun together, goof around and share laughter. And so do our clients. And we want to share all those experiences. :)
Thanks so much Carrie and Calvin for the good time! Can't wait to photograph your wedding in September!
PS: It's always great to work with vendors that we love and are amazing! Tianna Tran is Carrie's fabulous makeup artist.
Grouse Mountain engagement shoot
A Grouse Mountain engagement shoot in the snow? Yes please! I know it's May, but really, is it ever to late to blog gorgeous snowy photos. ;) While you're reading this, I'm actually literally in the snow again, on a little road trip to the interior.
On the day of this shoot, it looked like a Winter Wonderland up Grouse Mountain, which was perfect! This duo got engaged while it was snowing and loved to include the snow. At Grouse you can take up the gondola instead of having to do a gruesome hike to get this kind of epic vistas. We even started the shoot with drinks at the bar. ;)
The week leading up to this day the weather forecast predicted rain except for one Thursday evening. So we decided to take the gamble and rode the Skyride up that day. And boy did we ever luck out! Earlier this year we visited Grouse Mountain for a styled shoot and the weather was completely different (rain, snow and fog). But this time the sky treated us to gorgeous colours and a beautiful golden foggy sunset.
A funny detail about this couple was how during our first conversation on Skype they hesitantly asked about our word "adventurous". For those of you that didn't know on our website we proudly proclaim how we celebrate spontaneous and adventurous brides and grooms. Additionally, we reinforce those values with our favorite photos. And upon seeing all of that they were wondering if they were adventurous enough for us :)!
Well, looking back I can only think that if these two aren't adventurous, I don't know who is! They were game for absolutely EVERYTHING we could think of. Hell, they ran through knee-deep layers of snow while wearing regular shoes, just to catch the sunset. The resulting wet socks gave all of us a good laugh ;)
Thanks so much for the fun evening guys and I can't wait to photograph your wedding! :)
PS: If you're interested in a Grouse Mountain engagement shoot: we'd love to go back in Summer! ;)
Grouse Mountain engagement photos
Outdoor wedding photos: 5 tips on making the most of them
Outdoor wedding photos, they may or may not be a mystery to you. As wedding photographers for spontaneous and adventurous couples, Jelger and I photograph a lot in the rugged nature of British Columbia (or wherever the weddings take place). A lot of our clients choose the outdoors for their wedding ceremony as well as their wedding portraits! In this blog post I'll share some of our inside secrets on how you can make the most out of your wedding experience and photos.
Some of the tips may seem obvious but often the most evident things get lost in the hustle of wedding planning!
Secret tip 1: bring comfy shoes for your portrait time
Planning on having your photos taken in a lush forest, on a sandy beach, a rugged rock or in the snow? Well, then kick of your fancy heels before getting out there! Save yourself having the cleanup of mud or a sprained ankle while trying to get to the best locations! I've experienced several brides opting to wear their evening shoes in the outdoors, only ending up cursing themselves for not bringing adapted footwear (but they still made it through the shoot, hehe, troopers).
That said, if you'd love to show off your new pumps against a nature-filled background, you can bring them and put them on once you're in the right spot for the photo! ;) Or you can just rock some cute hiking shoes or cowboy boots!
Secret tip 2: your dress will get dirty, and that's absolutely ok
When you're outside, you will most certainly get some sand or dirt on your dress. There's simply no way of avoiding it when you're moving across sand or grass. The trick is to make sure it's only the bottom of the dress. So when you have a train, have one your bridesmaids (or your photographer, hehe) make sure the top and bottom of the train don't twist while walking. ;) Also, do keep in mind that trains and forests don't mix well. Although it's not a huge problem branches and shrubs are prone to getting caught in the fabric of your wedding dress! So take your time to glide and have your photographer scout out a safe path.
Secret tip 3: think about the weather for any outdoor wedding
First of all: rain. Let's be honest: it can rain, even on your wedding day. Especially in Vancouver. But don't let it be a reason for panic. Instead, prepare for it and make sure there are lots of umbrellas available. Whenever we're photographing we bring a few clear umbrellas, but if you're planning on having a big bridal party your best bet is to bring plenty! We recommend clear (transparent) ones or white ones, because it looks amazing in your photos. Of course black or grey are an option too if it fits your wedding theme. Lastly, steer clear from coloured umbrellas. Cute as they are, they do cast a wash of colour on your face for photos (green umbrella makes for a green face, haha).
The second circumstance is less evident: sun. Summer weddings are fantastic. The days are longer and often end with a beautiful sunset. But when you're having an outdoor wedding ceremony (and portraits), the sun can be surprisingly hot after a while (or worse: burning)! So take your precautions. Ask your makeup artist to apply a foundation with sun protection factor (SPF). Next, the other uncovered skin: last thing you'd is to wake up the day after your wedding with a terrible sun burn. So ask your bridesmaids to rub some sunscreen on your uncovered skin areas (shoulders, arms, neck, back). Bonus tip: give your photographer a heads-up and get some great candid shots of the whole thing!
Secret tip 4: bring bug spray
You know what's about to happen when you hear that dreaded "bzzzz" out in the open. Darn mosquitos. They're everywhere and they're inevitable. Especially if you're getting married in Summer next to a lake or water area. Enter: bug spray. So simple, yet so easily forgotten (even the two of us have cursed more than once about leaving it in the car)! Don't let the little buggers ruin the fun: a little spray keeps them all away (pun intended :)).
Secret tip 5: go with the flow and have fun
When you're outdoors there is and will always be something that can go "wrong". An outdoor wedding doesn't take place in a perfectly monitored, climate controlled, sterile environment. ;) And to be honest that's part of what makes it so appealing! So here's my word of advice: if the unforeseeable happens, don't stress! Your only jobs are to be the bride or groom, and to have fun. You'll have plenty of people of around you that can and will help, whatever the situation may be. And keep in mind: often the most unexpected and crazy situations turn out to be become part of your unique story. <3
On the other side of the lens
Usually Jelger and I are hiding our faces behind the camera. It's much easier than being in front of it! Recently we had the opportunity to be on the other side! Elyse Anna from Elyse Anna Photography was looking for a couple to model and I figured "why not!" The experience was a great reminder of how it feels to be on the receiving side!
Suddenly I found myself thinking about all the details such as makeup, hair, what to wear etc. ;) It was exciting! The way you look is an important form of self expression.
I hardly ever wear makeup and keep it for special occasions. But for photos I know I love some makeup. It makes such a huge difference! I made an appointment with Lisa Skachkova for my makeup and hair. It was fun to sit back and have Lisa do all the work, haha. She made me feel extra pretty.
When we arrived at the location, it was quite funny to immediately forget all about poses . "What do I do with my hands?!" "How do I stand?" Yup, definitely need a photographer for that. ;)
It was also refreshing to try not to think about anything except just be there. It made me realize I want to take more time to cuddle this man of mine. In the busy hassle of life it's easy to forget. To just stand there and enjoy the views, connect with each other, breathe, be in the moment. It's all about connecting.
How often do we take the time to cuddle into each other and to just be?
To make it even better our location, Barnett Marine Park, had these amazing foggy forests in the background. I LOVE foggy forest. I never get tired of this West Coast phenomena.
Thanks a lot Elyse for the photos! We had a blast and we have to do this more often!
Vancouver wedding proposal: Mitra and Avinash
Avinash had a vision for his wedding proposal and hired the fabulous Stephanie from Sweetheart Events, who specializes in Vancouver wedding proposals, to help him execute his vision.
As sometimes happens with surprise proposals, a whole lot of things happened! First Avinash planned the proposal shoot before New Year's eve. The theme was counting down and starting the New Year together as an engaged couple. But Mitra caught a bad cold and didn't feel like going outside at all. So he rescheduled and planned everything for New Year's day!
The location of the proposal, Cleveland Dam, had a special meaning to the couple. They talked about marrying there one day and they often stopped to enjoy the view. So it also wouldn't raise suspicion when Avinash would ask Mitra to make a pit stop and take a selfie there!
Jelger and I occasionally visit Cleveland Dam too, as it's such a unique spot. The day of the proposal though it looked totally different from every other time I'd been there! The surrounding mountains were covered in a thick layer of snow and so was the grass field. It was freezing cold (literally) and there was so much wind that Stephanie and her team had to get bags of concrete to fortify the structure they'd set up! Small items weren't an option, because they got picked up by the wind right away.
It was the most wind I ever came across while shooting an event. While at first the wind seemed a bit like a problem, it actually caused one of my favourite photos to happen. ;) Mitra's hair was flying wild and it was just stunning! You can still see all the emotions on her face. She was so happy. And 100% surprised! She had no clue it was going to happen.
Thanks so much Avinash for having us capture this moment for the two of you!
Vancouver wedding proposal photos
Vancouver wedding Proposal vendors:
- Planning: Sweetheart Events
- Calligraphy: Elizabeth Barr with Sweetheart Events
- Location: Cleveland Dam in North Vancouver
Check out another beautiful surprise proposal at Cleveland Dam here.
Bedroom stories
If you've been following us for a while, you might have read this post about us decluttering and getting rid of our sofa. We created more zen in our living room last year. This was a huge step for us, since we tend to spend all our money on photography. :P A new lens, more batteries, an extra flash: no problem. Buying something for the interior of our place? No way! ;)
Despite the living room change, our bedroom still existed as some kind of empty cave... Nothing on the walls, a giant roll of photo paper propped against the wall and our car mattress (yes we have one!) sticking out behind a mirror. That and some dust bunnies... not very cozy at all.
So we decided to change things up and give the entire room a big make-over. There are so many options that are fun (and very affordable). We ended up getting a big ass mandala wall tapestry and decided on going with a colourful approach. We even managed to do an Ikea hack by purchasing a lamp shade that we combined with a bamboo steamer basket as a foot. :D Add colourful curtains and candles: done.
It was again a lesson in investing in ourselves and the space we live in, because it matters. The way you wake up in the morning, sets the tone for the rest of the day. When waking up in a cluttered and slightly depressing room, that's just no fun at all. Yay for happy colours and patterns. Even when it rains, it feels like it's Summer inside.
Just a few days after the change we already noticed the difference! It is so much more fun to wake up in a cozy orange glow and to see the reflection of the mandala in the mirror. All these little steps add up! I'm kinda excited to see what will happen to our living spaces in the next 10 years or so. We'll probably end up with a ton of colourful happy hippie stuff. :P
Sky helicopters wedding: Taryn and Seth
It's not every day that a couple travels all the way from Chicago to Vancouver for a Sky Helicopters wedding. Taryn and Seth did just that. They eloped last November on a typical West Coast day in Pitt Meadows.
I was super excited for this day, not in the least because it got to fly in a helicopter for the first time! With only room for 1 photographer, Jelger graciously allowed me to photograph the wedding. (Thank you Jelger!)
The weather forecast predicted rain and after taking off, the clouds started packing and a dense fog covered the mountain where the elopement would take place. The pilot steered us out of the clouds right away. Instead of a mountain top wedding, we all started looking for a unique spot in the fields!
We landed on a tiny dirt road (I didn't even know that was possible!) right next to a cranberry field. There were beautiful mountains in the backdrop. Taryn and Seth didn't let anything spoil the mood and started brainstorming right away about cranberry themed things for their future wedding anniversaries. I loved it!
Shawn, the fabulous officiant, brought a big white umbrella and the couple had the most romantic ceremony in the pouring rain. They were most definitely the only people that EVER got married at that spot. It couldn't have been more unique and special.
After the ceremony, the day wasn't over! I picked up Jelger on the way to downtown and together we cruised trough Vancouver. We hopped out on some different fun photo locations. It was really neat to have a driver for this and we got to see some typical Vancouver landmarks such as the library, the convention centre, some spots in Gastown etc.
We ended the day with the two of them having a bear at Steamworks brewery.
Cheers Taryn and Seth! The Vancouver weather threw you lemons and you made cranberry lemonade. ;)
Sky helicopters wedding photos
Sky helicopters wedding vendors:
Event planning: Popup Weddings BC
Make-up: Save The Date Beauty
Officiant: Young, Hip & Married
Flowers: Kaye Fleur
Helicopter services: Sky helicopters
Beer at the end: Steamworks
Check out more helicopter inspiration here!