A crowd gathers on the porch of the lodge and looks towards the darkening sky: two planets are aligning. And in view of this natural wonder in the growing darkness, they party on.

We love photographing the celebrations that pull people away from the pace of city life and invite them to go on morning walks to the water’s edge, to put their cell phones away because the service is spotty, to bask in the glow of the late afternoon sun, to dance until all the stars come out or just sit with friends and chat over well made cocktails and craft beers and good wine because there’s nowhere they have to go and no rush to get there.

Arabelle & Leonard chose to celebrate their love in this way. It was marvelous.

Bodega Ridge on Galiano Island is one of our favourite wedding venues, ever. That’s saying a lot, because we have been to many places for weddings. If we’d known about this gem when we were married, you can bet we would have had our wedding celebrations here. The natural beauty here is next to none and Jesse, who runs the retreat is a top notch human being. If you’re looking for a no-stess weekend with your favourite people ever and a wedding day marked by beauty, connection, and amazing food, head there.

She grew up on the west coast of Canada, him on the east. “You would love it there!” Amanda exclaimed to us a few days before their wedding as we chatted about Michael’s home. “You know that commercial about Newfoundland?” she continued, “That is Fogo Island-whales! Jumping everywhere! It’s the most beautiful place.”

Amanda is enthusiastic about everything and that small snippet of a conversation is just one example. When we first talked with Amanda & Michael about their wedding at Cecil Green Park House in Vancouver we just couldn’t believe our luck-that we’d get to photograph this incredible and electric couple who were just so excited about their wedding and bringing all their people together and so excited that we’d be there to document it. There’s nothing better than photographing a couple who feels this connection with us.

And their wedding didn’t disappoint. By then, we’d already shared in an adventure to Gambier Island (see it HERE) and we knew the day was going to be legendary. Not only are Amanda and Michael two of the kindest, most genuine people ever, but they had families to match. The sign of a great wedding day to me is when I’m hugging the mother of the bride at the end of the night as if she was my own mom. Graeme & I felt like members of the family.

A wedding day is a collection of people, of moments, of looks of love, and of tears rolling down cheeks. And, in Amanda & Michael’s case: of rainbow confetti being thrown and wearing mom’s Cheongsam (giving Grandpa quite the surprise) and a cake topped with a family heirloom tiny bride & groom and having a real Newfie Screech In at the end of the night.

How do we even begin to describe the honour we felt at being invited to photograph Jules’s and Wenz’s wedding celebration in Switzerland?

We remember being picked up at the train station as a light drizzle fell in Bern. We piled into their marvellous ketchup red and mustard yellow wedding van and they drove us to their home and fed us dinner and we slept. We woke up and Wenz had put together a gourmet Swiss breakfast for all of us. We loaded up on soft boiled eggs and cakey bread and then hiked up the Niederhorn.

Two days later we were in Zürich and it was the day.

Julia & Wenz. Married in the Swiss countryside & celebrated in the heart of Zürich. They got ready at Wenz’s childhood home, drove around in a vintage van, had post-ceremony ceremony après with all their loves, and danced on a dock by the river to an incredible balkan/gypsy band as the moon appeared and disappeared behind the moving clouds. An after party followed in Zürich’s Viaduckt area and later that morning, a photo popped up on Instagram of the two of them walking hand in hand to their hotel as the sun rose. Goodness from start to finish. Joy overflowing.

We were also delighted to create a stop-motion film of Julia & Wenz’s amazing day. Enjoy!

 

Meaghan & Jason were married in the mountains. Their guests stayed in cabins that were scattered among tall pines and wildflowers. The day started with a dip in the river and ended around a bonfire under a cloudy sky. And there were a few mosquitoes, and a drinking game in the field, and venison sausage, and pet dogs sitting by their owners’ sides, and two very boisterous emcees.

I want to see mountains again, Gandalf, mountains, and then find somewhere where I can rest. In peace and quiet… I might find somewhere where I can finish my book. I have thought of a nice ending for it: and he lived happily ever after to the end of this days. - J.R.R. Tolkien

Amanda writes a note to the love of her life while her bridesmaids put the finishing touches on the flowers while her mom snaps a sneaky pic of her getting her makeup done.