Well, its been a year. A year filed with big juicy beautiful moments and weddings reimagined. After a 2020 that was full of ups and downs in the wedding industry, one thing was clear. Folks were ready to get married however they could this year.

And they did. With me.

I’ve compiled a few images from some pretty memorable moments of 2021. Unsure how to sum it all up really. It’s been a remarkable year.

What. A. Journey.

There were moments when I was barely holding on and others where I was literally on top of the world. A wild ride and a beautiful one for sure. Full of gratitude and for all the lessons this past year has brought. SO many lessons⭐️Through it all I’m so thankful to have such incredible clients to share it all with.

Years ago I changed from shooting a LOT of weddings in a year to shooting about 10-14 comfortably. Giving me time and space to take on some family sessions and enjoy life with my own kiddos and family. Enter 2020 cancelling/postponing most of my weddings. The 2021 season and wedding vendors had to try and squeeze everyone in. 2020 and 2021 clients. All rolled into a few months. I photographed 35ish weddings and elopements this year and to some who shoot more than that it may not seem like a lot but it certainly was a lot for me.

What is clear to me is that I love how my clients and the wedding industry has shifted towards elopements, intimate and insanely unique celebrations. I’ve had so many incredible opportunities and adventures because of folks getting creative! I’ve been on sea planes, float planes, boats, tiny airplanes that land on remote beaches and SO many helicopters. My clients have gotten married on glaciers and mountaintops, on farms filled with every conceivable barnyard creature, others said "I do" right in their own back yard or on rugged, breathtaking remote beaches .

They’ve done headstands on paddle boards and ran barefoot through west coast storms. They have braved the elements an ongoing global pandemic with ever changing restrictions and done it all with exquisite style, grace and joy. These quirky, inspired and love filled intimate celebrations are where it’s at for me.

2021, you weren’t without challenges… but you were, beautiful.

To all of my mind blowingly wonderful, flexible, gracious, patient, determined and glorious 2021 clients thank you for choosing me to share your moments with. I celebrate you all in these images.

And to all of the remarkable vendors who shared these clients with me, Thank YOU for being so rad. (there are more of you, I'll add!)

Gowlland Harbour Oceanfront Resort

Wildflower Beauty on Location

French Kiss Events

The Good Party - Creative Planning + Production

Bezaire Floral

The Good Wife Gourmet

Coastal Cake Company

Rook & Rose

Why should you elope on Vancouver Island?

The question is really why wouldn’t you? (of course waiting until our current travel restrictions loosen up)

But whats not to love?

We’ve learned to roll with a lot of change on the island, restrictions changing plans as quickly as the weather changes in the spring. Elaborate wedding celebrations whittled down to only the essentials. Creative, breath taking and remarkable decor turned into wildly epic vistas and romantic, intimate moments. Not entirely ideal for our industry, but we’re making the best of it here on Vancouver Island and if us islanders know how to do anything, it is celebrate immersed in the natural beauty that is literally around every corner here.

From the surrounding islands, to the remote beaches, sea caves and mountaintops. There truly is no limit to what magic you can create here. Come, elope with us. You’re in good hands. ox

Some of my favourite elopement places and vendors to help you create the island elopement of your dreams.

Transportation

Campbell River

49 North

Grizzly Helicopters

Tofino

Atleo River Air Service

Venues

Long Beach Lodge Tofino

Wickininnish Inn Tofino

Gowlland Harbour Quadra Island

Seabreeze Hornby Island