Deanne and Dylan got engaged in the gardens at Royal Roads. It was near closing time, and by the time Dylan popped the question, the gates had been locked and they had to use the ‘Emergency Use Only’ phone to call for help. On August 1st, they chose to have their wedding ceremony just around the corner from where she said ‘yes’. When I arrived at the Westin Bear Mountain to take some photos prior to the ceremony, I walked into a room of the most calm and organized group of women. Their reason? Teachers, they told me! Following the ceremony, we made our way in a champagne filled limo to Fort Rodd Hill for portraits and finished off the night at the Westin, with touching and comical speeches and lots of dancing (led by Dylan’s dad and his fabulous dance moves!).

Liz and Seamus were married on September 26th at Craidelonna Ocean Edge Lodge in Sooke, BC. The lodge was a beautiful setting for the entire wedding and situated high above the Pacific, the backdrop couldn’t have been more beautiful. Ritchard and his staff worked tirelessly and created a stunning ambiance for the day. I first met Liz at the beginning of the year, and she said she heard about my work from their friends, and my past clients Kristy and Jeff. When I first met Seamus on the wedding day, I asked him if he was at Kristy and Jeff’s wedding last summer and he replied nonchalantly, ‘No, I was actually over competing in the Olympics in Beijing.’ Turns out, humble Seamus is a two-time Mountain Bike Olympian. We had a good chat about that while he was getting ready that morning, and if anyone could battle a case of wedding day nerves, I’m positive it would have been Seamus. Liz was full of laughs while she was getting ready as we needed a collective effort to get her into her dress…I was shooting and helping to tie it up with her bridesmaid at the same time. One additional image from this wedding is featured over on the Photographer Network blog as Photo of the Week. A beautiful wedding, a genuine couple, and great guests.

Holly and Justin were married on September 12th in Beacon Hill Park. After a quick Harbour Ferry across the Inner Harbour to the Delta Ocean Pointe Resort, their reception followed with some great stories, cigar smoking, and dancing. Congratulations!

Carinna and Ivo were married on September 6th at Providence Farm in Duncan. Ivo’s family and friends traveled from Amsterdam, while Carinna’s family came from Toronto and both families provided sing-a-long entertainment during the reception. Everyone partied and danced as the rain poured down, quite typical of a West Coast September day.

Jane and Luke were married on August 29th, 2009 at Poet’s Cove Resort on Pender Island. It was my first trip to the Island and I couldn’t have asked for a happier occasion. Jane and Luke live and work in Africa and their wedding was a celebration and a reunion for their family and friends, many of whom traveled a great distance to attend. A big thanks to the talented Jenna Tye who came along and shot with me on the day.

What a wedding! Donna and Karri came from Arizona to get married at the Delta Ocean Point on July 5, 2009. They contacted me at the beginning of the year and we first met while I was shooting Chris and Rebecca’s nuptials the weekend prior to their wedding. I arrived to the hotel room excited as they had told me about their footwear and the friendly rivalry they have in regards to their sneaker loyalty! Karri wears Vans and Donna is a Chuck Taylor gal all the way….just like me! The ceremony and reception were a wonderful display of love and great storytelling and Donna and Karri were an absolute joy to photograph.

My cousin Bethany contacted me in the early spring to see if I’d like to come to Boston to shoot her wedding at Newton Presbyterian Church on May 30, 2009. Bethany recently graduated from photography school, has since started up her own business in the Boston area, and trusted me to document her day. It was a trip I couldn’t resist! Like many Maritimers, my grandmother’s sister Anna moved to Boston to work when she was young, married my Uncle Lester, and ever since my family in the ‘Boston States’ has been growing in size. I stayed the week with my cousin Rob and his wife Becky and was treated like gold the entire time. On the wedding day I was reunited with cousins I hadn’t seen for 20+ years and had a great time catching up on the years between frames.

Bethany and Jeff were entirely laid back. Bethany arrived back from having her hair done and fired up her espresso machine and began to make lattes for all the girls at her home as if it was any other day! They planned a ceilidh for the evening festivities and after I was finished shooting, my cousin Don and myself hopped in the square set and tore up the floor! A wonderful day full of wonderful people and I can’t wait to return. Congratulations Bethany and Jeff….thanks for including me in your day.

On 05.05.2009 Ashley, Sean and their daughter Gracie made it official at a small ceremony with family and friends at the Fairfield United Church! It was a very soggy Tuesday and we met up before their ceremony for some photos on the beach.