Snaefellnes Peninsula Iceland Elopement // Meagann & Neil

Meagann and Neil elope amongst basalt columns, waterfalls and lava fields in Iceland // Victoria Wedding Photographers

 

In our experience photographing three destination elopements in Iceland, on back to back days, we took away so many highlights to reminisce about.  We loved getting to know our couples' different personalities, how they met, and what their lives were like back home, away from this dreamland.  One thing we weren't (but should should have been) expecting was the way all three of our couples would plan and execute their elopement in their own special way.  It only magnified the romance factor of an already romantic way to marry, and we felt it gave us an even more intimate look into the couple's relationship dynamic.

If you read Jessika and Mack's elopement blog from the day before, you know that they had legally married in their home state of Colorado a few days before they left for Iceland.  They had exchanged their wedding rings, but saved their vows for their big day Iceland.  As well, Jessika's wedding dress made it all the way to Iceland without Mack seeing it, so they could get ready the traditional way; without the groom seeing the bride, even though they were going to be in the same apartment at the time!   

The following day we met with Meagann and Neil at their hotel to start the day at their Reykjavik hotel, where they'd get ready together to share the anticipation and excitement of the day.  We found it so romantic that Neil would be the person to help Meagann into her wedding gown (insert 100 heart-eyes emojis), before they looked each other up and down with huge smiles, and headed out the door.  Meagann and Neil also legally signed their marriage papers in their hometown in Ontario, where they had exchanged vows and wedding bands.  The unique twist that we love, is that while the two had their wedding bands, Meagann had not yet seen the beautiful custom sapphire engagement ring that Neil had made just for her.  What a treat for us to get to see her face as Neil opened the little wooden box for her during their ring exchange ceremony. And what better place than an isolated area of the Snaefellsnes Peninsula; at the foot of a waterfall, and overlooking an endless field of bright green, moss-blanketed lava, veined by a river speckled with swans.  The warm light shining through overhead clouds, and the misty wind that danced through Meagann's hair and gown only added more drama to an already dreamlike day.  After their ring exchange, we explored more of the Snaefellsnes peninsula area, that Meagann and Neil had fallen in love with their first few days in Iceland.  They showed us areas that we hadn't had the opportunity to explore on our first trip to the area, and it felt like casual day out adventuring with friends as Neil pointed out all the quaint homesteads he was for sure planning to retire to when it came time.  We took in the impressive basalt column cliffs, took a drive through the incredible Berserkjahraun (mad-man's lava field), and they finished the day with some beachside cuddles at Djupalonssandur (the black lava pearl beach).

Thank you Meagann and Neil for letting us be the ones to peer in and capture such an intimate and personal milestone in your life.  We had so much fun driving around an area of Iceland that meant so much to you, and hope these photos hold a life time of treasure for you! 

 

  

Westwood Plateau Wedding in Coquitlam // Kerri and Nik

Kerri and Nik's Modern and Regal Coquitlam Wedding at Westwood Plateau Golf Course // Vancouver Wedding Photographers

Remember Kerri and Nik’s winter engagement in Whistler?  While January may feel a long time ago, their session is still so fresh in our minds because of how awesome they were to photograph and hang out with on that chilly, bright, music-filled afternoon.  We had so much fun with them that we were counting down the days to their wedding, when we’d finally get to meet the friends and family they had talked so much about, and see more of their wicked dance moves.

The day finally arrived for their wedding at Westwood Plateau in Coquitlam, and we were practically bouncing!  With their black-tie attire, and their easy-going attitudes, the day went seamlessly and regally - from their traditional church ceremony, their portraits, right up until that very last, (very-cocktail-fueled) photobooth photo printed out.  Their whole bridal party, family, and group of friends seemed to burst with energy and love, and this wedding was jam packed with picture perfect, genuine human connection and moments. It was a celebration full of hugs, happy tears, outrageously funny stories, and even more outrageous laughing. We couldn’t get enough!

Thank you Kerri, Nik, and to your family and friends, for being so genuine, loving and well… a little wild!  We loved capturing these moments for you!

Here's a few highlights from the Photobooth!

East Sooke Park Engagement Photos with Lindsey and Brent (and Willow!)

Lindsey, Brent, and Willow romp around the fields, cliffs, and beach at Aylard Farms in East Sooke Park during their engagement photos // Victoria Wedding Photographers

East Sooke park is the first place the two of us visited that made us fall in love with, and eventually move to Sooke.  After talking to Brent and Lindsey about their upcoming Church and State wedding, we got to talking about all the areas they really love around here.  We weren't surprised in the least when Lindsay and Brent told us that East Sooke was one of their favourite places, and that they'd love to do their engagement session there, near Aylard Farms.  It also happened to be a first-hike-together place for them, as Lindsey puts it: her and Willow, her dog, were going for a hike date together, and invited Brent along. They hit it off, evidently!!

The day of the engagement session came and we all romped around the park talking about their upcoming Church and State Winery wedding, summer and travel plans, and laughing at all Willows silly antics.  Lindsey and Brent finished off the evening with some good old stick-toss into the ocean for Willow, and stuck around long enough to catch a couple curious seals swim by. 

Thanks to Lindsey and Brent for hiking around the park for us during your engagement session, we had loads of fun! We're excited about your wedding!!

Beach House Restaurant Wedding in Victoria - Tamara and Mike

Tamara and Mike's Sunny Outdoor Beach House Wedding on Vancouver Island // Victoria Wedding Photographers

When couples plan their summer wedding on a beach, they are usually dreaming of sunny days, warmth, gorgeous blue waters that stretch on forever, and being surrounded by friends and family who are excited to have a good time. That’s exactly what Tamara and Mike got on their big day. We all know how gorgeous Victoria can be in the summer time, and that's exactly the kind of wedding day they had. The sun couldn’t have been brighter, the weather couldn’t have been warmer, and the ocean in front of The Beach House Restaurant where they married, could not have been more breathtaking!  

Surrounded by their eager and excited wedding party, Mike and Tamara had their suspenseful and emotional first look on the rooftop of their hotel overlooking Victoria.  After that, we journeyed to a cliffside park for some gravity defying pre-ceremony photos on the rocky edges of the shore – special kudos to Tamara who gracefully maneuvered the cliffs in 6 inch heels!

Tamara and Mike’s beachfront lawn ceremony was followed immediately by a delicious summer dinner in The Beach House Restaurant just north of Victoria, hilarious speeches from friends, heartfelt stories from family, and of course, outrageous partying.

Thank you for checking out our wedding photography.  If you'd like to know more about our lives in BC, or as Pebble and Pine Photography, Creative and Modern Victoria and Vancouver Island wedding photographers, you can read About Us.

Church and State Winery Wedding in Victoria - Lindsay and Darren

Lindsay and Darren's First Look at Brentwood Bay Resort, Photos at Woodwynn Farms, and Wedding at Church and State Winery // Victoria Wedding Photographers

When we met up with Lindsay and Darren for their engagement shoot this spring, we could tell their big day was going to be a special one.  Having brought along a few props to use during their engagement photos, it was clear that Lindsay and Darren not only had an eye for detail, but a knack for making details very personal.  We could NOT wait for their wedding at Church and State in Brentwood Bay.   It has to be one of the very best wedding venues in Victoria, probably one of the best wedding venues on Vancouver Island!

 When their big day arrived, that part of Lindsay and Darren’s personalities shone from start to finish; with how they prepared their day, their use of personal items, thoughtful tokens from and for their loved ones, personal typer-writer note cards, their unique vows, their silliness, and how they hosted their friends and family.  They truly did everything they could to make sure their guests felt comfortable, welcome, and excited.  That’s what we think weddings are all about.

The morning of their wedding day, every shade of blue painted the horizon.  The sun peeked through the clouds, but the rain was threatening.  Little did anyone know, a record-breaking windstorm was headed our direction, and the power would go out at their ceremony and reception site at Church and State Winery.  By the time Lindsay and Darren were ready for their first look, the rain had started and the wind picked up.  The moment Darren turned around to see Lindsay, and both their faces lit up, everyone forgot about the weather.

That’s the beautiful thing about love, and about weddings.  It’s natural to fret a little about the skies beforehand, but when the day arrives, the weather pales in comparison to the moments you’ll share with the company you have.   Lindsay and Darren’s wedding was a perfect example of that.  You couldn’t hear the wind over laughter.  You couldn’t feel the rain amongst the warmth of friends. You didn’t notice the loss of electricity when you were surrounded by intimate candle light. Their day was truly spectacular!

Congratulations Lindsay and Darren. Thank you for having us there to photograph your day. “We’re so glad you chose us.” ;)

Lindsay and Darren incorporated so many great, hard working local Vancouver wedding vendors, and Vancouver Island wedding vendors in their day, and we’d love to give a shout out to a bunch of them featured!
Venues: Church and State Winery, Woodwynn Farms
Florist: Rook and Rose
Cake: Coastal Cake Company
Hair and Makeup: Ma-Luxe
Gown: Truvelle gown, from The White Peony
Jewellry: Catherine Hartley
Groomsmen Ties: Beauxties
Officiant: Bobbi Salkeld of ‘Young, Hip and Married’
Music: Cole Schmidt

Thanks so much for having a look at Lindsay and Darren’s Vancouver Island Wedding at Church and State Wines. If you’d like to see more of our photos,  follow us on Facebook, and check out our feed on Instagram.

Thank you for checking out our wedding photography.  If you'd like to know more about our lives in BC, or as Pebble and Pine Photography, Creative and Modern Victoria and Vancouver Island wedding photographers, you can read About Us.

Outdoor Kitimat Wedding at the Rod and Gun Club - Darlene and Rob

Rob and Darlene's Kitimat Wedding and Second Day Photo Shoot // BC Wedding Photographers

If you saw our last blog post, you know we went up to Kitimat for a couple weddings, and to visit Matt’s hometown.  Darlene and Rob were first on our list.  We love shooting weddings where we get to run into familiar faces, and catch up with the couples of weddings we’ve photographed in the past.  Rob is the brother of Mike, of Mike and Lindsey, who got married in Sooke 3 years ago.  He’s also the cousin of Philip, of Philip and Crystal, who had their wedding in Whistler last year.  I guess you can say that we love ‘Keeping Up with the Campbells!’  If Darlene and Rob’s wedding was going to be anything like their kins’, we were in for a treat.  They did not disappoint!

Darlene and Rob hosted their intimate, outdoor ceremony along the Kitimat River, at the Kitimat Rod and Gun Club.  The early-evening light, and the views of the mountains and riverbed really set the mood.  We love when couples involve their children in their ceremonies, and we have to say they their son Riley was an incredibly dapper, dinosaur-clad ring bearer, and little brother Casey made a wonderful supervisor-of-the-ceremony-events.

After the ceremony, it was straight into dinner and dancing with their guests – partying late into the night and creating some pretty raucous memories in our PebbleBooth.

We got to do a fun and intimate second-day shoot with Darlene and Rob.  We still can not get over how gorgeous the two of them looked that day – two lovers, on a mountain, amongst the trees, overlooking the ocean at sunset.

Thank you for checking out our wedding photography.  If you'd like to know more about our lives in BC, or as Pebble and Pine Photography, Creative and Modern Victoria and Vancouver Island wedding photographers, you can read About Us.

Merridale Cidery Wedding - Heather and Kyle

Heather and Kyle's Wedding At Merridale CiderWorks on Vancouver Island // Victoria Wedding Photographers

We got the opportunity to shoot at lovely Merridale Ciderworks again this season, and we were just as excited the second time around!  Heather and Kyle came from Calgary to host a colourful, intimate, and personalized wedding on Vancouver Island in Cobble Hill.

Having only Skyped with this pair of nurses prior to the wedding day, we were beyond eager to meet them face-to-face by the time the wedding had arrived – an we were immediately taken by them!  We started the day off with a private first look in the orchard, just the couple and some apple trees. What a perfect opening to our day with them. It turned out to be one of the most sentimental and genuine first look reactions we could have imagined.  That sentimental and genuine theme carried on throughout the day with their personalized ceremony, and their reception – complete with touching tribute table to Kyle’s brother, a selfie-station area for guests to enjoy, both hilarious and touching speeches, and of course, much dancing, laughing, smiling and kissing.

Congratulations to Heather and Kyle on your beautiful marriage!

Thank you for checking out our wedding photography.  If you'd like to know more about our lives in BC, or as Pebble and Pine Photography, Creative and Modern Victoria and Vancouver Island wedding photographers, you can read About Us.

Merridale Ciderworks Wedding - Tarilyn and Joel

Joel and Tarilyn's Summer Orchard Wedding at Merridale Ciderworks on Vancouver Island // Victoria Wedding Photographers

Man, we sure love a wedding on Vancouver Island.  Merridale Ciderworks is one of Vancouver Island's best outdoor wedding venues.  It's private, it's remote feeling, it's beautiful, it's intimate. It has delightful food, and guests, and couples rave about the times they have there.

The day of their wedding took place on Tarilyn’s grandma’s 67nd wedding anniversary, and was very sentimental. It was easy to see how celebrated Joel and Tarilyn’s relationship is, and how happy their wedding guests were.  Family and friends were all participants during the ceremony events, and were a constant mob of hugs, smiles, and tearfully joyous congratulations throughout the afternoon and evening.  Their glasses were raised high following all of the heartfelt speeches, and clinked often for eventful newlywed kissing – which, of course was followed by a chorus of Ooh’ing and Ahh’ing!   Bride and Groom, in similar fashion to their engagement photo session, could not keep their eyes off each other.  Whether they were dancing, jumping in the photobooth, talking to guests, or across the room from each other, Tarilyn and Joel’s eyes were glued to one another the whole day.  After sneaking them away from friends and family to do a few more portraits among the twinkle lights, we left the couple to dance all through the night together.

Thanks so much Tarilyn and Joel, for inviting us to be part of this very very special day.

Joel and Tarilyn had a lot of amazing, local vendors!  If you’re planning a wedding on Vancouver Island, be sure to check out their work:

Venue: Merridale Estate Cidery / Merridale Ciderworks  //  Florist: Daisy Chain Florists //  Hair: Rosa Harris  //  Wedding Gown/Shoes: Lisa’s Bridal  //  Bridesmaids: Everything But The Groom  //  Wedding Favours: Sweet Little Things Bakery  //  DJ: HiWay Productions – Ron Larson //  Officiant: Barbara Densmore

Thank you for reading! For more of our work, please visit our facebook page!

Thank you for stopping by to check out our wedding photography. If you'd like to know more about our lives in BC, or as Pebble and Pine Photography, Creative and Modern Victoria and Vancouver Island wedding photographers, you can read About Us

Craidelonna Lodge Wedding in Sooke - Lindsey and Mike

Lindsey and Mike's Outdoor Beach Wedding at Craidelonna Ocean Edge Lodge in Sooke BC // Victoria Wedding Photographers

I love travelling for my photography, and jump at pretty much every opportunity that I get to do it. When Mike and Lindsey contacted me about shooting their wedding at the Craidelonna Oceanside Lodge, I was pretty excited because it looked like just an amazing location on the water.  Located near Sooke, BC it was a great opportunity to go spend some time on Vancouver Island. I love coastal BC!

When I got to the lodge I was immediately stoked on the location!  It was so picturesque and well landscaped.  My excitement over photographing this wedding was compounded again when I saw the care that had gone into the decor of the wedding. Lindsey’s attention to detail with her place settings and general decor was amazing, and matched the overall flavour of the lodge so well.  Combined with the natural beauty of the surroundings, we were able to get some beautiful shots.  Hope you enjoy them!

Thank you for stopping by to check out our wedding photography. If you'd like to know more about our lives in BC, or as Pebble and Pine Photography, Creative and Modern Victoria and Vancouver Island wedding photographers, you can read About Us.