Sun Peaks wedding: Cait + Matt
Cait and Matt's Sun Peaks wedding took place on (Canadian) Thanksgiving! I absolutely loved that they celebrated this holiday with their family and friends in a beautiful and fun mountain town! Whenever a couple chooses a destination that's a bit further away from Vancouver, they automatically create a different kind of experience for their guests! In this case, I'm sure they took over pretty much the entire town!
Before we met Cait and Matt, Jelger and I hadn’t heard of Sun Peaks yet, let alone photographed a wedding there. Matt told us how he and his family would often go ski in the resort. So the village that’s snugly hidden away in the mountains means a lot to him. And since the couple met, they’ve together created a lot of new memories there!
We arrived at Sun Peaks resort the day before the wedding, under a blanket of hazy clouds. Luckily, things turned around on the morning of the wedding. The skies cleared up and made way for the sun, making it almost look like Summer. But the chilly Fall temperatures urged the girls to wrap themselves in the cute scarfs Cait had given them as a bridesmaid gift. At one moment, the bridesmaids even used their collective body heat to warm Cait up, hahaha. They looked like an adorable group of penguins. ;) Such troopers!
The wedding ceremony
The wedding ceremony took place on the grand terrace of the Sun Peaks Grand with an amazing view on the mountains in the background. Unlike during the photo shoot, no heat-retaining scarfs were available. But all the more laughter, beautiful moments and cozy blankets (for the guests)!
Shortly before the reception, Cait and Matt snuck out with us for a few golden-hour photos! This was definitely my favorite part of the day, because we don’t always get this opportunity. Add to that the stunning views of Sun Peaks and the sweetest wedding couple! We were in photographer heaven. ;)
Party time
The guests of the bride and groom started the reception off with a bang! Or rather with a song. After the wedding couple had entered the ballroom of the Sun Peaks Grand, the crowd joined in a big serenade. I've NEVER seen a family sing that much during a wedding. I was fantastic! And whenever the guests wanted to see Cait and Matt kiss, they had to sing an additional song. And perform they did, with true conviction! :D
On a totally different note, I adored their reinvention of the wedding hashtag! Usually it seems that when couples create a wedding hashtag, only 3 people actually use it: the wedding couple, the wedding photographer (lol) and 1 enthusiastic guest. Well, Cait and Matt had the perfect remedy! During their reception, they invited their guests to take a selfie and post it on Instagram with their custom wedding hashtag. What a perfect plan to create a fun, easy memory of all your friends and family at the wedding reception!! And of course, use of imagination is highly encouraged, like a few guests proved, lol.
The dance party kept going until the wee hours, I'm sure! Which is why we were surprised to meet Cait and Matt while having breakfast the next morning. Jelger and I were having coffee before hitting the road when the couple walked into the same coffe shop!! What are the odds, but then again I told you they took over the town, haha.
Cait and Matt, thank you so much for having us join you and your family for your amazing wedding in Sun Peaks resort. We loved being a part of it!
PS: I usually don't share a lot of decor photos, but I just had to share their adorable table settings! It felt perfect for Thanksgiving, and the Winter season but without being "Christmassy". Also, the guest favours (amazing smelling soaps on a cute soap dish) were a team effort of Cait's family, who made everything by hand! <3
Sun Peaks wedding vendors:
- Officiant: Sandy Alexander
- Sun Peaks wedding ceremony venue: Sun Peaks Grand, the grand terrace
- Sun Peaks wedding reception venue + catering: Sun Peaks Grand
- Florist: Art Knapp
- Decor rentals: Aglow Bridal
- Calligrapher: Red Timber Creative
- Makeup artist + hair stylist: Styled by Muah
- Bridal dress designer: Rosa Clara
- Groom's and groomsmen's suits: Moore’s
- Bridesmaids' dresses: KF Bridal
- Bride's shoes: Bride’s shoes: Keds by Kate Spade
The Lions in North Vancouver
When you're looking at our beautiful North shore, the two Lions are such a typical Vancouver view. I simply can't imagine the mountain skyline without them. Thanks to our hiking adventure, they have an extra special meaning. When seeing The Lions, I'll forever think about my grandfather.
First of all, let’s talk about the Lions in case you have no clue what I’m referring to. The Lions are two mountain summits in the Coast Mountains of North Vancouver and West Vancouver. They’re not only an unmistakable part of the skyline, but also what the Vancouver Lions Gate Bridge is named after. Despite their visibility throughout the Lower Mainland, the Lions are quite hard to reach. Hidden away in the backcountry, you can only reach them with some serious hiking. Which is exactly what Jelger and I did this Last September.
The West Lion felt like the perfect spot to scatter a small portion of my grandfathers ashes. For as long as I’ve known him, he had an intense love for the mountains. Specifically the Swiss and Austrian Alps, of which he had an encyclopedic knowledge. He has organized a ton of guided tours to both countries. And until his sixties, he used to latch some skis on and hit the slopes as often as he could.
Even though I moved to Vancouver seven years ago, he never got to experience the beautiful British Columbia mountains in person. The 10-hour flight from Belgium would have been too much of a risk for his health. But he certainly was enthusiastic about the photos we shared. Which is why I chose The Lions as the spot for our final goodbye.
What I didn’t know, is how much the twin peaks look like the Swiss mountain where another part of my grandfather’s ashes were scattered. I showed my dad (it was his dad who passed away) a photo of the Lions and he honestly thought it was the European mountain. I like to think it’s no coincidence, and it made me even happier in my choice.
When you’re considering to hike to The Lions yourself, here’s some practical information. You can choose from two hiking trails. The most popular one, the Lions Binkert Trail, starts at sea level in Lions Bay (guess what the place is named after :)). Which is the one that Jelger and I did not take. We felt deterred by the thought of hiking up an entire mountain. So instead we picked the Howe Sound Crest Trail, which starts at the parking lot of Cypress Mountain Ski Resort. Big mistake, let me tell you. But hey, that’s how you learn. Next time I'm I’ll definitely start in Lions Bay. Because as it turns out, the headstart you gain by driving up Cypress mountain, is a joke compared to the additional challenges in distance and climbing. I remember wondering why there's hardly any information available about this route.
The Howe Sound Crest trail leads forces you to cross several (yes, plural) “in-between” mountains. From Cypress mountain, you ascend to Saint Marks Summit. Then comes a stretch of down-hill hiking, only to be followed by the arduous climb of Unnessary Mountain. And even though I now understand how this mountain got its name, I still think it’s silly. Hidden as Unnecessary Mountain is, it’s a glorious beast that deserves a lot more exposure ;). Finally, once you’ve ‘tamed’ that monster, the hike turns into some light scrambling across the ridgeline until you meet the Lions. Visually that is. Because you’re not there yet.
You might notice in the photos that the spot I chose wasn't the plateau right next to the Lions (the intended destination). Instead, it’s the edge of Unnecessary mountain, where it plunges down into the final ascent towards the Lions. We could have gone further, but we decided to stay there. We’d already covered a serious stretch of gruesome terrain and still had the long way back. Part of it would be in complete darkness. Despite it still being Summer, the sunsets had progressed to a considerable earlier time of day. And even though we carried head lamps, the darkness adds a burden on top of the terrain and fatigue. But more important, we chose to stay put, because it felt right.
This hike in particular, was a personal ritual to me. It was a final goodbye to my grandfather. The beautiful thing about creating a personal ritual, is that it’s personal. There are no rules. You can do anything that feels good or right to you.
In my case, I’d brought a dress in my backpack. That way I could change out of my mud-stained hiking gear, and feel more ceremonial. Jelger and I also shared some quality food, because my granddad definitely LOVED food. ;) It reminds me that he actually loved food so much, that he'd remember his vacations by the meals he’d enjoyed. At first I even thought about bringing a bottle of Cremant D'Alsace (like Champagne), which was his favourite festive beverage. But considering the extent of the hike, I decided against drinking alcohol. Not to mention the additional weight I’d have to carry.
Finally, I'm grateful for photography. The hike and scattering my grandfather’s ashes was a unique adventure. The photos of this experience help me remember and relive the experience.
Standing here, a tiny human, in this powerful nature. Saying thank you for this life.
The Lions and my grandfather
Helicopter elopement in Squamish: Florence + Evan
Today, I'm excited to share another helicopter elopement with you. Florence and Evan organized an intimate wedding ceremony on an epic Squamish mountain top. When I say intimate, I do mean very small scale. Our group counted 6 people: the happy couple, the officant, the pilot, Jelger and I.
First, let's talk about the planning part of this Squamish helicopter elopement. Florence and Evan had literally planned everything themselves. From the exact timing of the wedding (they chose to get married in the morning, because of the more flattering light for photos), to finding the right helicopter company, to creating their beautiful bouquet. Florence told me they'd handpicked flowers that looked pretty and assembled them herself! Impressive!!
Planning the location for a helicopter elopement
Next was planning a suitable location for the helicopter elopement. For helicopter flights, there are two important factors to keep in mind. First, there's the weather. Whether and where a helicopter can fly, is fully up to the weather. Wind, rain, fog, you name it, and it can cause a flight cancellation. Second, there's geography. Geography directly impacts the weather. For instance, in this case, the intimate elopement would be on a mountain top. And mountains can change the weather pattern with the flick of a switch. One moment it's sunny and warm, the next it turns to a freezing fog. So when you're planning a helicopter elopement, plan ahead. Pick several locations that vary in altitude (in case the helicopter can't fly higher) as well as one for the event of cancellation. Which is exactly what Florence and Eva had done.
The couple's ideal scenario, was to get married on top of a mountain in Squamish. However, as a secondary option, they lodged at the Tantalus View Retreat. Which could host the ceremony if needed. Luckily the weather cooperated, and the backup remained unnecessary. But I'm sure they enjoyed cabin life with a hot tub. I've added it to my vacation wish list! But I digress. ;)
The helicopter elopement on a mountain top
On the morning of the wedding, the weather couldn't be more picture-perfect! There we were, on top of a mountain, looking at a clear blue sky! And the best thing about helicopter elopements, is that we get to pick the ceremony spot. In this case, of course we went for the epic Serratus glacier as a backdrop! :D
What's more, thanks to her gorgeous outfit, Florence stood out perfectly against the ice and rocks! If that sounds weird to you, think about it! What if she'd be wearing an ice white wedding dress in an ice white environment! Right? ;) Instead, the deep purple draws your eyes right to her!
Once the I do's were finished, Jelger and I enjoyed taking photos with the married couple. Since they wore hiking boots, climbing on rocks and exploring the impressive environment went smoothly!
Florence gave me another great tip for your helicopter elopement. Wear warm leggings underneath your skirt or dress! Especially if you're getting married in a cold place. It'll make all the difference in your comfort ;)
Finally, we returned to the helicopter base. But the elopement wasn't over just yet. The officiant completed the marriage certificate. Jelger and I felt honoured to sign as the official witnesses.
I loved seeing the travel photos from their honeymoon in China (got to love Instagram!!!). So glad we crossed paths, guys. And thanks so much for trusting us with documenting your elopement!
Vendors:
Elopement helicopter company: Black Tusk Helicopter in Squamish
Elopement location: Serratus Glacier
Hair- and makeup artist: Dolly Makeup by Lidia
Wedding officiant: Antje Cavanagh (Squamish marriage commissioner)
Bridal skirt rental: Cindela Wedding
Groom suit rental: Moores
Planning your own helicopter elopement? Don't hesitate to get in touch with us, we'd love to be a part of it!
Riverway Clubhouse wedding: Debbie + Juan
Today, we're excited to share Debbie and Juan's Riverway Clubhouse wedding with you! But before continuing, this post needs some music to go with it!
Debbie and Juan are both big trance music fans. And they highlighted this during their amazing first dance (both in choice of music as in performance), as well as during Juan’s getting ready. Which Jelger totally loved (he’s been a big trance fan for as long as I’ve known him). For the rest of the day he couldn't stop talking about Juan's music choices ;). So, for the full experience, play their first dance song while enjoying this post.
In the morning, things started off very relaxed. Each of them got ready surrounded by their teams of bridesmaids and groomsmen. Next, they made their separate ways to the wedding venue (Riverway Clubhouse) for a traditional Chinese tea ceremony.
Although they’d already seen each other, they still had a first look. But not before Debbie had changed from her Chinese red dress into a beautiful white wedding gown. And my oh my, was it a beautiful moment. You know me by now, I’m a sucker for first looks. It’s without a doubt one of my favourite moments of the wedding day. ;)
From the first look, the wedding couple walked almost straight down the aisle. Thanks to the cooperating weather, the wedding ceremony could took place on the patio outside of Riverway Clubhouse. Probably the best background could you hope for while proclaiming your wedding vows!
After the wedding ceremony, the couple and party joined us for the photo shoot. And luckily we didn’t have to go far for it too. Just down the road of Riverway Clubhouse, you’ll find a beautiful park along the banks of the Fraser River. With the dramatic skies in the background, everything looked like a painting! Seriously, I've never seen light like that.
During the reception, the best man surprised Juan and Debbie with a very special surprise! He’d contacted Debbie’s favourite trance DJ (Above and Beyond) and told them the couple’s story. Debbie had introduced Juan to the world of trance. And the music became a shared passion. Which is why Juan proposed to Debbie at an Above and Beyond concert. After hearing the story, the trance DJ sent the couple (via their best man) a beautiful present: a handwritten congratulating card together with an autographed cd. Of course, Debbie and Juan were over the moon :).
Finally, there was that magical first dance. I’ve told you all the details earlier, so all I’ll add is this: look pictures and you'll know what I mean. :)
Debbie and Juan, what a party you two had! We're very grateful we got to celebrate with you!
Riverway Clubhouse wedding vendors:
- Day off coordination: Amanda Wilson from Amanda Marie Events
- Wedding ceremony and wedding reception venue: Riverway Clubhouse
- Wedding officiant: Lea Huusko
- Sylvie You Flower Arrangement Art and Bouquet
- Cake artist: Cakes N Sweets- Cassie
- Mark Reyes
- Jasmine Couture
- The tux store
- Boutique 1861
- Groomsmen's suits: The tux store
- Bride's shoes: Steve Madden
Are you getting married at the Riverway Clubhouse and looking for a wedding photographer? Don't hesitate to get in touch with us, right here!
Lunch wedding at Cecil Green: Vanessa + Thomas
Photographing a lunch wedding. It’s a rare opportunity on the menu. What is a lunch wedding? In Vanessa and Thomas’s case, it included all of the events you'd expect on a ‘full’ wedding day, except that the guests got to eat at noon! And I do mean all of the events, including speeches, cake cutting and an amazing bouquet toss. :) I always enjoy to experience how every couple creates a unique event.
Vanessa and Thomas chose Cecil Green Park House at UBC as their wedding venue for the entire day. After getting ready early in the morning, the two of them started the festivities with a beautiful ceremony on the terrace of the Park House. What I'll remember most about the ceremony is the absolutely adorable crew of flower girls! And especially their reaction during the first kiss, lol!
After the wedding ceremony, the couple headed to the adjacent (and very suitable) conservatory to honor their families with an intimitate tea ceremony.
Next, we sneaked out for a few portraits with the two of them (always one of our favourite moments of the day! :)). But not too long though, because lunch awaited us.
Finally, the reception was a total hit, with some very funny speeches (it's not because you have your wedding at noon, that there can't be some wine involved, hehe) and even a shoe game!
Vanessa and Thomas, thanks so much for having us and congratulations on your new family addition coming soon! :)
Cecil Green lunch wedding Vendors:
- Wedding venue: Cecil Green Park House
- Videographers: Capture Productions check out their sneak peek video here!
- Cake artist: Jenny Bakes
Are you interested in your own wedding at Cecil Green Park House? We're proud to call ourselves a preferred vendor and have photographed a couple of weddings there. All uniquely catered to our clients of course. :) Don't hesitate to get in touch here!
Adventurous hiking elopement tips
We're stoked to share this epic, styled, adventurous hiking elopement that Jelger and I photographed last June! Try saying "epic styled adventurous hiking elopement" tree times in a row, hahaha. I learned so much during this adventure and now I want to share some great tips with you!
The initial idea for the shoot came from a chat with Simon from Capture Productions, a fun hubby and wife videographer duo. He’s equally (if not more!) crazy about hiking as Jelger and I. And so we decided to combine our forces and hike up a mountain to create and document an elopement styled shoot at the peak. Check out their epic video at the bottom of this post!
We're also excited that Rocky Mountain Bride magazine has recently featured this shoot. Definitely check out the list of talented wedding vendors at the bottom of our post. Because this adventure certainly was a team effort!
Our main goal for the day was to convince couples that it is in fact an option to go for the ultimate adventurous elopement: venturing out to a remote mountain location and tie the knot in the intimate atmosphere of scenic nature.
As expected, a hike comes with a few practical challenges. But nothing that can’t be met. Here are some great tips to get started!
1. Choose your location wisely
When choosing the location for your adventurous hiking elopement, you’ll want to consider these aspects.
First, inform yourself on the weather as well as on the actual, recent condition of the trail. In the mountains, the weather can change in a heartbeat. This can impact not just the trail accessibility but also your physical wellbeing (imagine a sudden temperature drop and getting soaked in a wedding outfit). In our case, despite it already being close to Summer (mid June) a snow-laden hiking trail made our hike considerable harder.
In our case, I’d unfortunately relied on incorrect information: a person on Instagram had assured me the trail had no snow at all. Once we arrived, things looked surprisingly different. I can only suspect she must have erroneously referred to a different trail. Lesson learned, always check the official park/trail websites! And even then, hope for the best, but plan for the worst.
Second: know your physical skills, and your limits! Choose a spot that you feel is realistic to reach within a reasonable time frame for you. And consider that you’ll probably bring more weight than usually (such as a wedding outfit).
For our shoot, we’d picked the beautiful First Peak of Mt. Seymour Provincial Park. It’s a 7 km hike (round trip) with an elevation gain of 5oo m. Very doable at a leisurely pace in normal circumstances. But the snowed-under trail and considerable weight of gear and outfits for the shoot made things a whole lot more challenging. You may not have to carry any gear, but keep in mind that your wedding vendors do. And they might have different physical limits. Poor Jelger's backpack was about 23 kilos (50 pounds). Our fantastic couple Meghan en Drew were seasoned trail runners and literally ran down the mountain after finishing the shoot. But the we arrived a lot later, huffing and puffing ;).
2. Know about safety precautions
Never (ever!) skip the safety precautions you’d take in consideration when going out for a regular mountain hike! Bring plenty of water and food, more than you think you’ll need. Too many people skip on this!
Next, inform a friend or relative on your planned location and route, and agree on a time to check in when you’ve returned from your adventure. If you prefer to elope in secrecy, ask your wedding professionals to follow the same procedure.
Third, bring a survival kit (first aid kit and emergency/space blanket) and lots of warm layers. In the mountains a hot Summer’s day can change into a freezing Winter night in the blink of an eye.
Finally, Jelger and I were extremely happy about throwing a bottle of bug spray into our backpacks. There were A LOT of bugs on that mountain, and they were hungry! Luckily they were the only hungry critters that bothered us, but just in case, we always carry a bottle of bear spray.
3. What about your wedding dress/suit?
For wedding dresses it’s quite impressive how many fabrics don't wrinkle when you stuff them into a backpack! Especially knit fabrics, certain types of lace and crochet work well. Check with your dress store, or research before purchasing :).
For our shoot I decided not to stress test the wedding dress (The Corta from Laudae). So instead, for the ascent, I hung it (in a protective cover) on the outside of my backpack. And it arrived in pristine condition. That said, after the shoot I’d stuffed the dress in my backpack for our hike down the mountain, and still it came out wrinkle-free.
In addition to the dress, I also had the groom’s suit hanging on my the outside of my backpack. Again this was an unnecessary precaution, because the same rules of fabrics apply (wool is a groom’s best friend). Additionally, you can find find some great videos online on how to fold a suit and shirt for wrinkle-free packing!
Last but not least, there's always the option of not wearing your typical wedding attire during your adventure elopement. Instead, you can pick ANYTHING you like, as long as you've considered transportation :).
4. How to preserve your hair and makeup on the hike to your adventure elopement?
While you might find an active and enthusiastic makeup artist willing to join you on your venture, it's probably more likely you'll have to arrange your wedding hair and makeup beforehand.
For our shoot we relied on Amber from Blended By Amber, who had numerous amazing tricks up her sleeve to keep Meghan (and Drew!) looking "fresh" after a hike up a mountain.
The first concern was protection from the sun. In snowy mountains, sunburn happens a lot faster than you expect. For preventative care, Amber used a moisturizer with SPF50. If that wouldn’t suffice, she also provided us with Dermalogica UltraCalming mist, which actively reduces skin redness by 30% within 30 minutes of application. Additionally, she also prepared a little touchup kit for minor fixes that our bride could take care of herself.
Next we’d thrown our hair artist a true curveball: creating a beautiful wedding hairstyle that is both festive and hike-proof. But Amber loved the challenge and created a loose, low bun for Meghan. This hairstyle proved to be a perfect choice, because if strands of hair would come loose during the hike, the end result would still look as a deliberate, creative and beautiful whole.
In other words, what I’m saying is this: when hiking (especially in the mountains) aspects like the sun, wind and perspiration are inevitable. But you shouldn’t let them get in the way of realizing your dream mountain top elopement. Set your expectations appropriately, find a team of enthusiastic wedding vendors who are happy to take on the challenge and make it happen.
5. How about decoration and flowers?
Just because we felt brave enough to lug an entire set of decoration and florals up a mountain doesn’t mean you should feel the same. When it comes to your wedding or elopement, nothing is a ‘should’! If you don't feel like taking up flowers (or anything else), don't do it! That said, when you do decide to bring decoration (like we did) here are some lessons we learned from our experience.
First, delicate flowers don’t like exposure to harsh sun or hot temperatures. And hiking will usually extend how long the flowers are exposed to the elements. My best advice is to either have your bouquet made as freshly as possible (for instance on the morning of your wedding celebration) and to opt for a lot of greenery and succulents which are less likely to wilt.
Next a word about the boutonnière, and this goes for all weddings (not just a mountain elopement). Our florist made a gorgeous boutonnière for Drew with a double magnet system so he wouldn’t have to pin holes in his suit. Additionally, it makes for a fool-proof method of fixing the flower the suit. No special pinning knowledge or technique is required. Simply hold the boutonnière against the front of the lapel, and clip the magnets to the back of it. Done. Best of all, it excludes getting stabbed inadvertently (which shouldn’t happen anyways with a proper pinning technique, but that’s another story).
Finally, for the decoration, you’ll want to think twice about every object you take. While hiking, weight is your biggest concern, and once you pack it in, you’ll need to pack it out. Luckily, nature already offers you the best possible backdrop, and often lots of on-the-spot elements that you can bring to good use.
For our shoot, I’d planned to create a small rock circle for the ceremony site. Finding rocks on a mountain top is the easiest thing. Eventually the plan fell through because of time constraints, but the idea remains the same regardless of your chosen location. Get creative, and use whatever is available. And it’ll look all the better because they’re natural elements that belong in that environment.
6. How to make your adventure elopement more festive?
Keep it simple. What do you usually do on a break while hiking? Eating and drinking! So how about you bring a fun picnic! For our photo shoot, we had a cake designer create adorable mountain-shaped cookies, but you can do anything you like! Yummy foods are always a must in our book. ;)
Next up is the ceremony. Consider personalizing your vow books! Paper hardly weights anything and afterwards you’ll have a beautiful keepsake! I loved the sketch of the Mt. Seymour mountain range that our calligraphy artist created.
7. Should you hire an event planner?
The short answer is yes, if you can, and here’s why. Unless you already know exactly the where, how, what and with who of your elopement, you’ll quickly notice that organizing your wedding takes a lot of work. Let alone when you’re looking for wedding vendors who are up to the additional requirements of your adventure.
Most wedding coordinators offer smaller packages for elopements and can help you find the right vendors (for instance an officiant that is also an enthusiastic hiker) and the best location for your wedding ceremony. And thanks to their experience, they can help you hash out all the nitty-gritty wedding details that you didn’t even know about ;)
In our case, we relied on the priceless help of Natasha from Clearwater Events who helped bring our vision to life and gathered an amazing team of participating vendors. And that’s not even mentioning the countless emails she sent (and read) as well the hours of running running around to collect all the materials for the shoot!
8. As always, have fun!
Because of the nature of an adventurous hiking elopement, there is a good chance things won’t go as planned. Embrace it, and make it part of the adventure! After all, what would an adventure be without the excitement for the unexpected.
Whether the hike gets too intense, the weather turns too harsh or other circumstances hold you from your envisioned goal, do your best to go with the flow and make the best out of it. In the end all that matters is that you're getting married to the love of your life, and that you’re sharing an amazing, unforgettable experience on which you can look back for the rest of your lives! And know that the best stories, came out of the wildest, most unexpected events.
Have fun!
Adventurous hiking elopement vendors at Mount Seymour
- Event Planner: Clearwater Events & Weddings
- Videography: Capture Productions (look at their amazing video here!)
- Stationery: The AYLA View
- Wedding dress: Laudae
- Cookies: The Cake and the Giraffe
- Florist: Bridal Beginnings
- Florist: Bridal Beginnings
- Accessories (necklace, earrings and wedding bands): Foe and Dear
- Cufflinks: Cabin and Cub
- Models and real couple: Meghan Robinson and Drew Powell
- Hair and Make-up artist: Beauty by Amber (Amber Rodan)
- Suit: Hugo Boss
- Location: Mount Seymour Provincial Park in North Vancouver
Considering an adventurous hiking elopement with us? Get in touch here and let's start planning!
Pipe Shop wedding in North Vancouver: Natalie + Hans
Natalie and Hans' Pipe Shop wedding had by far one of the most unique ceremonies I've ever witnessed! Going from their "flower girls" to the readings, to their friend who officiated while the two of them signed the documents later at night... They thought about everything and really made it their own. When thinking about it, I can actually say that about the entire wedding day! From the moment we met, they had a vision of a candid day, with as much spontaneity and candidness as possible!
I (Tanja) started in Gastown, where Natalie and her bridesmaids got ready in the couple's apartment. From there on, they walked to Waterfront Station where they took the SeaBus to North Vancouver and strolled to the venue. I'm pretty sure a bride in a wedding dress on the SeaBus is a rare sight, but so fun!!! Meanwhile Jelger stayed with Hans, who had a drink with his groomsmen.
The weather didn't cooperate, but the two of them and their wedding party braved the rain for some fun group photos. And Stephanie, their fabulous wedding planner, arranged a little blue hour shoot with just the two of them after dinner. You know how everyone is always raving about sunset? Well, there's also that magical little gap of time after sunset when everything looks blue, but not too dark yet. I'm so happy we got to walk out on the pier for that and capture Natalie and Hans in front of the gorgeous Vancouver skyline.
After the speeches, the couple's first dance was rather spectacular! Such a fun choreographed dance, super playful and unique, just like the two of them. And of course, as expected, the party afterwards had a full dance floor!
Thanks so much Natalie and Hans for having us at your big day!
The Pipe Shop wedding vendors:
- Stephanie from Sweetheart Events
- Friend of the couple
- Celsia Florist
- Bespoke Decor
- Smoke and Bones
- Makeup artist and hair stylist: Nadia Albano
- Cake designer/artist: Cake and the Giraffe
- DJ BFAD
- Kathryn Bass Bridal
- Indochino
- Balloons: Frankie and co.
- Bar tending services: Lavish Liquid
Considering your own Pipe Shop wedding in North Vancouver? Get in touch with us and let's chat about your vision!
Evans Peak hike: my first solo hike
With our wedding season slowing down, I remembered I never shared with you that I hiked up Evans Peak by myself this past June! To many of you adventurous souls, hiking by yourself might not seems a big deal. But I have to confess, to me it was! Especially since this difficult-rated hike needed quite a bit of time to complete! (Check out the hiking details here) I'd walk around in downtown Vancouver at 3am no problem. But the idea of walking in the forest by myself scared me a bit. The idea that I might run into a bear or get lost by myself... creepy.
So why did I go by myself? Well, my fear was obviously irrational. Bears don't randomly attack hikers, and for the unlikely event, I came prepared with a can of bear spray. I also made a lot of noise with my hiking poles to inform wildlife of my presence, more so on my descent when both the sun and occasional other hikers disappeared. As for getting lost? Well, I armed myself with with an app to keep track of my progress. And of course Jelger knew where I was going to be, so worst case scenario, he'd have come to find me.
With this solo hike, I learned a lot about myself. It took me a fair bit of time to get comfortable with the silence and being alone. I'm so used to always having company on hikes and in nature, that it felt like a great exercise to be on my own. After a while I got into the right mood and could enjoy everything at my own pace.
To summarize my experience, here are what I consider the pro's and cons of hiking by yourself.
Pro's of hiking alone:
- You can reach a meditative state where it's only about you and moving around in nature
- You can hike/rest at your own pace
- It's a mental challenge where nobody pushes you to "just do that last bit too"
- You learn to be comfortable by yourself
Cons of hiking alone:
- Sharing an experience can enhance it
- If you ever get in serious trouble (because of tripping, falling or other medical issues), it's safer to be in company who can assist or find help
- Nobody there to motivate you when the going gets tough
I hoped you enjoyed reading about my experience and I know for sure that I'll be doing this again! Evans Peak was just the beginning! Feel free to share with me how you liked your solo adventures and if you have any tips for me for future hikes!
PS: I didn't take a lot of photos, because I was grinding away, lol. Think of this hike as the Grouse Grind, but way, way longer, lol. ;) But I'm happy I at least took a selfie at the top!
Evans Peak hike photos
Seeing the peak from the parking lot... very motivating! ;)
The trail... Yup, lots of sand and slippery bits!
If you enjoyed this post, check out more hikes right here!
Brix and Mortar wedding: Emilie + Alex
It's always special when your friends hire you as their wedding photographer and that definitely was the case for Emilie and Alex's Brix and Mortar wedding!
Emilie is from Belgium, like Jelger and me. A few years ago, we met her through a group of friends with Belgian connections that somehow had randomly stumbled upon each other. I'm grateful to have these people in my life because of the fun times they always bring. It's also great to see how every person in that group has grown and evolved over time. Not to mention "Canadianized". Is that a word? ;)
When you say Belgium and wedding in one sentence, it guarantees excellent food! Just ask any Belgian (although we're hard to find in Vancouver)! We're truly a culture of "bon-vivants". And given this reputation, Emilie and Alex's case delivered wonderfully. Not only with a fabulous meal, but with a dessert bar that you couldn't imagine in your wildest dreams: a selection of the best quality Belgian pralines (chocolates), homemade pies, desserts and an amazing donut wall.Yes, please!!
But I digress, lol, I haven't even talked about the wedding and I'm already talking about the food (another Belgian trait). Before the wedding, Emilie showed me a photo of her dress, so I knew she'd turn heads! To this day she's the first bride I've seen showing off a striped dress! (and believe me, I've seen my share of wedding dresses). It fit her absolutely perfectly! Initially, she felt hesitant about it because it was such a big eye-catcher. But by the end of the night, she was rocking it like a pro! :D
Some of my favourite moments of their day were their first look, which happened in their own bedroom. I loved that so much! Maybe it'll bring back memories whenever they're in there. Another beautiful moment in the morning happened when Emilie shared a very Canadian shot of fireball with her bridesmaids (who flew in from Belgium). Always hilarious to see people's faces that try this for the first time! ;)
During the morning of the wedding, the rain poured down. Now that I think of it, it was raining so hard we'd consider moving the portraits to an indoor location. But by the time we started the photo shoot with the two of them, the sky decided to cooperate! Everything worked out perfectly!
For the formal portraits, Emilie and Alex had decided to schedule all of them before the wedding ceremony, so they could enjoy more time with their guests during the cocktail hour. And in Brix and Mortar, that always starts off with a giant champagne toast! I love that!
The two of them had put a lot of work into making sure their guests had a good time! One of the most fun things they did was provide a little photo printer to their guests. That way, everyone could print a photo on the spot and glue it into the guestbook! So fun! Their seating chart, which consisted of photos of them and their guests was also very unique! Kudos to them for collecting all those photos! When I think about projects like that, I already get tired before even starting. ;) Their guests certainly all felt extra special!
On a different subject, one of my favourite photographic moments was the first dance. I had a beautiful creative shot in mind, and the couple was totally on board with it (and kindly asked their guests to stay clear from certain areas). I'm stocked that this worked out totally worked out!
Emilie and Alex, your wedding was absolutely fantastic and we felt 100% part of the experience! Thank you so much for trusting us with your day!
PS: I'm looking forward to our off-season! We'll be able to resurface from our editing cave and actually join you guys at social events. ;)
Brix and Mortar wedding vendors:
- The Brix and Mortar
- Wedding reception venue + catering: The Brix and Mortar wedding venue
- Makeup artist and hair stylist: Lisa Skachkova Makeup & Hair
- Blooming Buds
- Cake Conspiracy
- My Friend the DJ
- Morilee via The Bridal Gallery
- Bride's accessories: The Bridal Gallery
- Bride's shoes: Kate Spade from Keds
- Tip Top Tailors
- Groom's accessories: Tip Top Tailors
- Steve Madden
Considering your own Brix and Mortar wedding in downtown Vancouver? Don't hesitate to get in touch with us here. We'd love to hear all about it!
Helicopter wedding in Squamish: Colleen + Brice
A few months ago, Colleen and Brice invited us to be a part of their helicopter wedding in Squamish. Hard to say no to that :)! It would be the first time for Jelger and I photographing a helicopter elopement together! You might remember my adventure two years ago, where the couple and I (Tanja) did get to fly, but had to land due to the bad weather. Well, this time around we experienced a whole new dimension of "adventurous", thanks to our amazing company.
In the days leading up to the wedding things remained uncertain. The weather would change by the hour, going from rain to clouds to fog and back. But luckily, on the wedding day the pilot gave us a go-ahead, and all of us sped to the Squamish airport. Destination: mountain top, for one hell of an epic wedding ceremony.
Let me tell you some more about the couple and their plan. Colleen and Brice are avid mountaineers and for their wedding they wanted to do something special. Next-level special. First, they wanted to get married on the peak of a mountain. But instead of heading right back down again, they'd stay there in a cozy little mountain cabin to explore nature and get some amazing climbs in! Did I mention these two were the next level of adventurous?
Of course, as avid climbers they knew all too well how fickle the mountain weather can get, so they took their precautions. Instead of hoping they'd make it to their one envisioned location, they booked cabins in several areas of the mountain. So that in case the weather turns sour, they can simply fly to one of the backup locations. And it's good they did too, because we did end up flying to a "plan B" spot, because of foggy conditions. But what a plan B it was!
After an impromptu first look (planned literally at the last moment) the two of them could barely hold their excitement and started "playing helicopter" on the heli pad before take off. But for sure the best part were their lit-up faces as the helicopter flew within 'touching' distance of the impressive mountains and glaciers. Fun detail, Jelger too looked like a kid on Christmas, just one BIG smile. But I didn't capture that, lol, I was too focused on photographing our clients, hehe
After landing, all of us walked to Lake Lovely Water. What an appropriate name! Once there, we chose a ceremony spot together, that looked absolutely wild and gorgeous! I mean, just look at it! ;) And next Jeremy, the officiant, lead a beautiful ceremony. First he gave some perfectly fitting adventure inspired advice. Then the couple read heartfelt personal vows. If I wasn't too busy trying not to fall into the lake, I'd for sure have cried a bit. Between you and me, I did get emotional picking photos afterwards. It was one of those moments that'll stay with me. These two inspired me! But back t the elopement.
After enjoying a short photo shoot (where we hijacked a canoe, how could we not!), we quickly had to say our goodbyes (the helicopter was on the clock). Colleen and Brice changed into hiking outfits, and handed over their wedding outfits, which we took back to the helicopter base. No need to carry redundant weight during their hiking adventures! And as they waved us goodbye, they slowly faded into tiny dots on top of a mountain next to a gorgeous lake.
Colleen and Brice, thank you so much for trusting us to capture your epic adventure! It was an experience we'll never forget!
Helicopter wedding in Squamish vendors:
Wedding location: Lake Lovely Water in Squamish and the Tantalus Hut
Officiant (+ planning!): Jeremy, the Whistler Wedding Pastor
Helicopter wedding company: Black Comb Helicopters
Florist: Senka Florist
Considering your own helicopter wedding? Don't hesitate to get in touch with us, we'd love to join you and are glad to help you find amazing vendors! :)
Check out the magazine feature of their wedding in Luxe Mountain Weddings!
Kelowna wedding: Jaclyn + Jeff
Three days before Jaclyn and Jeff's Kelowna wedding, we received a surprise phone call from their then-wedding photographers. Sleep-deprived, they told us how in the past night their baby had come a few weeks early. They desperately needed someone to take the wheel from them, and luck would have it that in fact, it was the only Saturday in September we still had available! Road trip to Kelowna to spend a Saturday with a kick-ass fun couple? Sign us up!
Jelger and I love road trips, especially spontaneous ones (woohoo!). And of course, the Okanagan is an absolutely stunning region. I love the stretches of desert, filled with rock formations and yellow grasses. It always blows my mind how British Columbia hosts a variety of completely different natural environments.
But let's get back to Jaclyn and Jeff's wedding. Before starting that Saturday, we scouted the West Kelowna area for a few photogenic spots. First, we went to the Gellately Nut Farm which offers both lush greens as well as the shores of Okanagan Lake. I definitely wanted to create some wedding portraits with both the couple and their wedding party there. Then we scoured the area for the perfect patch of desert, and found it along a random road. Best of all, we noticed that all the previous locations were less than 10 minutes away from each other, and of the the reception venue. Which meant we could check off every item on our location wish list :) How cool is that! Thank you West Kelowna! But before I start sounding like a travel guide (seriously, go visit all those places), let's once again get back to the wedding!
We started the morning with getting ready photos at Jaclyn's parent's place. Jaclyn herself was (impressively :)) relaxed and made the whole day about having a good time! She told me that Jeff and she are currently living in Calgary, but both of them love her childhood hometown Kelowna.
After getting ready, Jaclyn's dad drove her to the ceremony site in his beautiful vintage truck. I loved that they got to spend that time together before he walked her to the aisle. He looked so proud at her, it got me a little teary eyed. ;)
The ceremony too was an emotional event. First, the look on Jeff's face when Jaclyn approached him on the aisle. And then the couple exchanged personal and heartfelt wedding vows. It always makes me happy when couples take the time to write their personal vows. These are the moments to remember forever.
After the portrait time, the party started quickly at their reception venue. And on that note, I want to add how much I LOVED the DJ they chose. DJ Invizible killed it with the best 90's music. So good! And this crowd was very much into dancing! I'm sure they kept going until closing time. ;)
Thank you sooo much, Jaclyn and Jeff, for trusting us to swoop on such short notice! We loved everything about your day!
Kelowna wedding Vendors:
- Ceremony location: Happily Ever After Wedding Ceremonies at the Glenrosa acreage in West Kelowna
- Florist: Passionate Blooms
- Wedding dress: Lillian Wild
- Groom suit: Tip Top Tailors
- Bridesmaids' dresses: Lulus
- Kelowna wedding reception venue: Westbank Lions Community Centre in West Kelowna
- Caterer: Catering by Paola Fedow
- Makeup artist and hair stylist: the hubby and wife team of West K hair salon
- Pies: Davison Orchards
- DJ: DJ Invizible (Kevin Moore)
- Decor: DIY by Denise Stapleton
Interested in your own wedding in the Kelowna? Get in touch with us!
Stanley Park Pavilion wedding: Mere + Mike
A beautiful Stanley Park Pavilion wedding with a group of people that knows how to have fun? Yes please! ;) The day started with me hanging out with the girls and Jelger meeting up with the guys. It's always fun for me to see the photographs afterwards and discover what Jelger was up to in the morning. ;) In this case, it meant seeing Mike's adorable cat pop up in photos here and there, hehe. Right before Jelger arrived, Mike even went dirt biking with his groomsmen! Risky business, lol, but they pulled it off. ;)
When I think back at Mere and Mike's wedding day, the first thing that comes to mind is how important the bridal party was for both of them. And it quickly became obvious why! This group was hilarious! Including random photobombs and just the best DJ-ing in the party bus that drove them around Stanley Park. They also told us they wanted to "throw a big party for everyone". Well, mission accomplished. From start to finish, a big party it was!!
Mike's dad's speech was the most hilarious speech I've heard at a wedding to date. I seriously hope someone writes it out, hahaha, because I'd gladly share it with you. Pretty sure some guests peed their pants a little. ;)
After their amazing first dance (way to go Mike for that twirl!!) the party kept going and I'm sure it must have gone on for a long time!
Thank you so much for having us as your photographers!
We had a great time! <3
PS: As enthusiastic foodies we LOVED their guest favours! Mini bottles of garlic infused olive oil, balsamic oil with fig or olive oil with ginger... yes, please!! ;)
Stanley Park Pavilion wedding vendors
- Getting ready hotel for the bride: The Westin Bayshore (This is so close to Stanley Park! Super convenient!)
- Wedding ceremony and reception venue: Stanley Park Pavilion
- Florist: Hilary Miles Flowers
- Ann Moore
- Catering: Stanley Park Pavilion
- Prép Beauty Parlour
- Jeff Bryant (guitar and vocals)
- sottero & midgley dress purchased at the Novelle Bridal Shop in Edmonton
- Guest favours: Evoolution
UBC engagement photos: Amy + Sian
Two unique things stood out in Amy and Sian's UBC engagement photos! First, they were taken a few months after their wedding day. Instead of trying to squeeze their engagement shoot into the hustle and bustle before their wedding, they opted for a post-wedding shoot. It was extra fun to meet up like this afterwards! And second, they took us on a trip through memory lane, in every aspect imaginable: outfits, accessories, locations and memories. Top of the bill, the entire shoot took place at night!
If you read our blog consistently, you'll know that most of the time, we photograph wedding and engagement portraits in big nature and during daytime! But since this couple already experienced that on their wedding day, they decided to change things up, and revisit their student days.
Amy and Sian met (again, because they knew each other from childhood) at the UBC Faculty Of Medicine. They bonded over countless hours of studying and hanging out. And to our surprise, kept some items from those days, like their cute outfits and even their 'UBC graduation gift' backpack!
Additionally, Sian managed to arrange after-hours access for us to the their meaningful locations (like the medical building). Apparently the faculty building is a favored for the film industry. And after having photographed there, I can totally see why! The inside space is huge!! It was a one-of-a-kind experience to be out there all by ourselves (thanks to the help of a friendly night guard). ;)
After visiting the building, we took a walk outside along the streets of UBC Campus, where Jelger was especially excited about a puddle he found in just the right spot. See if you can find it in the photos! ;) I on the other hand preferred the giant whale skeleton on our journey. I guess that's what happens when you go for a walk with photographers. It always takes us quite a while to reach our destination, because we get overly squealy (is that even a word?) when I see interesting visual elements. Well, maybe I'm the one squealing, Jelger not so much, lol.
We ended our night at the dramatic looking Iona Building. Doesn't it look like a castle?! I didn't expect it to look like that at all at night!
Thanks so much Amy and Sian for taking us on a tour filled with surprises! We had a great time and wish you all the best with the future!
UBC engagement photos
Considering your own UBC engagement photos? Don't hesitate to get in touch and let's explore the campus or the surrounding nature together!
Alouette Lake engagement photos: Emilie + Alex
Although we've visited Golden Ears Park several times this year, this time would be a first with a smoky Alouette Lake. It was late August, and the forest fires were still raging ahead in the interior of BC. It covered pretty much all of the Lower Mainland in a thick curtain of smoke. The haze combined with the wind makes it hard to predict what things will look like. But luckily, Emilie and Alex bravely decided to go ahead with their engagement shoot. And I’m glad they did too because the mist transformed the South Beach of Alouette Lake into an incredibly dreamy and mysterious scenery. It blows my mind how different this lake looks, every time we visit.
Before going to the lake we started off at the Spirea Nature trail. The pathway leads you through a gorgeous piece of the forest! So far, we hadn’t hiked there, let alone set up a photo shoot. Funny detail, we didn’t make it out much further than a 100 metres (even though the photos don’t show it). Excitement about EVERYTHING took a hold of me, hahaha. But rest assured, I’ve already added the location to my bucket for the off-season. In Fall, I’ll return for hopefully some fog-on-a-rainy-day photos.
But I digress, more about the engagement shoot. Emilie and Alex are longtime friends of us. Actually from the days when we just started our wedding photography business. When friends hire us, it’s a fantastic feeling. Because it shows how much they trust us to create their engagement and wedding photos. On a totally different note (that’s how my brain works :)), I saw a photo of Emilie’s wedding dress and I'm SO EXCITED to see her in it. :D
When you first meet Emilie and Alex, you might think they're a little shy. But don’t let first impressions fool you! ;) When these two are on a roll, they’re super funny. And they’ve experienced some pretty epic adventures in the past few years! They‘ve built a beautiful life together and the wedding will be the cherry on top of it!
Last but not least, I love that Emilie's Belgian family and friends are flying out here to join the celebration!
While I'm posting this blog, the two of them are in the very last stages before their wedding! Emilie and Alex, thank you so much again and we're pumped for Sunday! Wooohooo! :D
Spirea Trail and Alouette Lake engagement photos
Eagle Valley Retreat wedding: Maureen + Alex
Maureen and Alex' Eagle Valley Retreat wedding was one for the books! It's not every day that we photograph an elopement wedding where the couple, their family and most guests drove all the way from Colorado to Squamish! Maureen, Alex and their three children drove out here while camping and adventuring along the way. No doubt an experience to remember!
When it comes to locations Squamish has a lot of hidden gems, like the beautiful Eagle Valley Retreat. Until the couple contacted us, we hadn’t heard of this gorgeous place despite having driven by it numerous times! It literally is a hidden gem, showing no more than a small driveway surrounded by lush, green bushes. Can you imagine staying here with your closest people and celebrating? Despite living abroad, the couple arranged the entire wedding masterfully. With a clear vision and a lot of creativity, they made things come true in no time. For the reception, they set up a big tent and decorated the tables with adorable mountain-themed elements. And on top of that, Alex built the bar himself, on the spot! Say what?! Yep, took him only a few pieces of wood and some time. Talk about dedication ;).
Since their wedding was all about having a great time, they surprised their guests with a good selection of lawn games. And thanks to the sunny weather, the guests had a blast playing bean bag toss (aka cornhole), spikeball and croquet.
Speaking of having a good time, I should probably mention that the entire area has no cell phone reception. I believe this is an amazing bonus because it practically guarantees that your guests are more present.
While we ended our night with a fun sparkler moment, I'm sure they continued dancing the night away! We drove away in the twilight, with the music fading out, thinking about how fantastic it is to party like this. Time and time again, I come back to the fact that life is all about the experiences we have with the people that matter to us.
Thank you guys for having us tag along for your adventure for a couple of hours!
PS: The adorable little boy in the black and white photo, is their son. He was way too cute during the entire ceremony. ;)
Eagle Valley Retreat wedding vendors
- Venue: Eagle Valley Retreat in Squamish
- Officiant: the fabulous Kristen Olynick from Young, Hip & Married, we had the pleasure of working with her at another Squamish wedding last June!
- DJ: DJ SamFX
Planning your own Eagle Valley Retreat wedding or intimate wedding in Squamish? Don't hesitate to get in touch with us as we'd love to be a part of it!