Erin Wallis Photography Blog

Why not get married on Vancouver Island!?! Vancouver Island is amazing place with countless wedding venues. I’ve been a part of many weddings all over Vancouver Island and have fallen in love with a few locations for various different reasons. I think it’s about time I shared. Here are my favorite Vancouver Island Wedding Venues. (Click on the resort/venue name to take you directly to their website)

Of Course, Dolphins Resort in Campbell River (images below). I’ve posted about it countless times, but it is truly warm, rustic and charming. Cozy little cabins, breathtaking views and delicious food… not to mention a staff that are excited to make your wedding dreams come true.
Shelter Point Whiskey Distillery has recently started catering to weddings and it is an amazing and unique venue for a Vancouver Island wedding.

How about a backyard of a historic Heritage house along the Campbell River? Haig Brown House might be more your style.

You may like another heritage site in the beautiful Comox Valley, The Filberg Heritage Lodge and Park where deer roam freely, and the quiet beauty of the park will immediately make you feel at home.

You may be looking for something more raw. More wild. More remote. Another favorite is The Black Rock Resort in Ucluelet. It’s beautiful setting overlooking the wild west coast waters makes this venue somewhere I always look forward to visiting and shooting. It’s cliff side hiking trails, beach access and beautiful rooms make me happy!

Maybe you want to go to Hornby Island? The Seabreeze Lodge might just steal your heart. Private and picturesque bring all of your favorite people here and celebrate all weekend long. Maybe you want your wedding photos at one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been?? Helliwell Park.

Another gem is Strathcona Park Lodge, just outside of Campbell River. I love the rustic setting, the countless outdoor adventures the beautiful light and the incredibly sweet old Barn that can be seen here set up for a reception.

Love the mountains? Get married at Mt.Washington. Getting married on what a mountain top has never been better.

I had never been here until this year, but then had the great fortune of photographing two weddings here. Hatley Castle is simply divine. Get married in a castle??? on in Victoria, Vancouver Island??? OK.

She works in the logging industry as a log scaler, and said she’d never marry a faller. Doug works in the logging industry as a faller. They say you should never say never.

She looked impossibly stunning when I arrived and not to mention calm. Her bridesmaids buzzing around the house, her dad looking on lovingly. Doug was smiling and ready, surrounded by his handsome fellas and gorgeous flower girls. It was a beautiful day in Campbell River and they were ready to finally “tie the knot”.

They had a vision of big trees for her wedding images. So, where else should we venture, but Elk Falls just moments outside of Campbell River. Although I’ve shot there many times before, I’d never shot a wedding there. I LOVE that it was so well suited for Karla and Doug, and I love the results.
Wishing you both, nothing but love.

The flowers were all by the infamous “Amy” at the Willows Market in Campbell River. She’s the best!
The decor rentals were by The All in One Party Shop.
And decorating services by Krylea Creative Solutions.

She oozes sweetness.
He is caring and kind.
They gently moved with their day and soaked in all of their moments. Together.
They met 9 years ago to the day. They were married at one of my favorite venues. Anna’s Vancouver Island Beach House. The sun was shining, the sea was calm. The beach house buzzing with anticipation of a beautiful wedding. Everyone involved, emotional, happy, excited and exactly as they should be on the wedding day of two people they cherish.

Cara and Murray invited me into their moments and shared such genuine moments with me.
My favorite part of their wedding? Photographing Cara and Murray getting ready, and hearing Cara’s brother signing so beautifully in the sunshine, with the cool breeze carrying his voice through open windows and hearts…

“It’s a little bit funny this feeling inside
I’m not one of those who can easily hide
I don’t have much money but boy if I did
I’d buy a big house where we both could live

If I was a sculptor, but then again, no
Or a man who makes potions in a travelling show
I know it’s not much but it’s the best I can do
My gift is my song and this one’s for you

And you can tell everybody this is your song
It may be quite simple but now that it’s done
I hope you don’t mind
I hope you don’t mind that I put down in words
How wonderful life is while you’re in the world

I sat on the roof and kicked off the moss
Well a few of the verses well they’ve got me quite cross
But the sun’s been quite kind while I wrote this song
It’s for people like you that keep it turned on

So excuse me forgetting but these things I do
You see I’ve forgotten if they’re green or they’re blue
Anyway the thing is what I really mean
Yours are the sweetest eyes I’ve ever seen.”
-Elton John

A memory that I will cherish always.
Thank you all for being so warm and wonderful and for sharing so much of you, with me.
(as a side note… the morning before photographing Cara and Murray’s beautiful wedding I came across THIS and therefore couldn’t help but smile when the song was being lovingly sung for Cara and Murray. Life.Is.Beautiful.)

She was composed, calm and serene. “Ready and excited to marry Chris” she said.
He was ready and nervous, being harassed by his groomsmen who were all wishing they had printed their speeches earlier (when they had a printer around).
“I’m going to cry” he said.

I was inspired before I even got to them, and was so excited to create images with them. “We get to make art today” I told Sara. It’s a beautiful thing.
He watched her walk down the isle with tears in his eyes and they exchanged heartfelt, emotional vows in front of all of the people who love them the most.
Vertical blinds leaking light, a rose garden, beautiful home, amazing old cars and big full dark rain clouds that waited to release the rain until my last portrait was taken (last one in series here).

In one word. Magic.
It was the perfect day for Sara and Chris to be married.
It just was..
May you two be surrounded by blessings, always.

(Images Above… Kate and Sean. Gracefully easing me back into shooting a wedding not even three months after giving birth to Maisie Lu. No one’s wedding would have been a more perfect beginning to 2010)

This. Was. NOT. Easy.
Instead of doing a “Best of 2010″. I decided to do a “Favorites of 2010″ instead. This truly was not an easy task for me. I’ve chosen a selection from each of my 2010 wedding couples.

They are MY favorites. For a variety of reasons. My favorite characters, moments, smiles, tears, hugs, emotions and light. Going back through each and every wedding, I am quickly reminded of what I saw, who I connected with… what my 2010 was all about.

I’ve sat here speechless for the past few days looking through all of my 2010 wedding images. I remember what I was thinking when I drove up to each and every one. I remember where Maisie was. (Hotel rooms, with Bryce at the wedding, with Bryce at home, at grandparents etc) I remember it all.

Yes. There is something beautiful about being in the moment and looking to the future, but at times equally as profound can be reflecting on where you’ve come from.

Who’s touched your life, and who’s life you may have touched. What moments I’ve recorded. Witnessed. Shared.
The decision was solidified.

I give you my favorite wedding moments of 2010.

Heidi and Danen.
We laughed, and laughed, and at one point, I even told Danen that I should be paying him for his “artistic direction”. Heidi saw my new mommy face and being the seasoned professional of two babies herself, she said… “call. Go ahead, call all you like, I don’t mind. Just call and make sure she’s ok” I didn’t call… but I did text. Heidi, you are wonderful! I miss you guys!!!

Jeremy and Bridget.
Ultimate confession time!!! Their wedding wasn’t blogged. Yes, I know… amazing friends, beautiful wedding… no blog??? Urg! I HAD A NEWBORN BABY!!! Please, go easy on me! I wasn’t sleeping!!! There are so many images from their incredible day that I am so in love with. Being the amazing friends that they are, I was hoping they’d understand my trying to balance a baby and a wedding season. They did. I love them for it. But, I am thrilled to now, share a few of my favorites from their day.

Alicia and Mark.
Cape Mudge on Quadra Island was a perfect venue for these truly sweet souls. I loved being a part of your moments, and feeling all of the emotions right along with you all. Such an exquisite day.

Ana and Aaron
A wedding out of my Vancouver Island element, in Stanley Park, Vancouver… proved to be one of the most beautiful steps out of my comfort zone. Thank you both, for trusting and believing in me.

Leah and Mike
A wild crew, a fast tide, and a whole lot of fun. The highlight for me was Leah, without question leading her bridesmaids into the sea for me.

Natalie and Mike
A gorgeous Cortes Island wedding full of favorite images. But, Natalie and Mike’s twins were truly the highlight for me. Their spirits light, sweet and brilliant. I am always honored to watch children witness their parents be married.

Jeanine and Bryce
I also didn’t get a chance to blog this beautiful wedding at Dolphins Resort in Campbell River this year. The venue stunning, the wedding party perfect and the babies adorable! I loved watching Jeanine’s mom and dad (who I’ve known forever) gaze lovingly and proudly at their baby girl getting married.

Shevaun and Rod
I would never pass up an opportunity to re-visit the Bird residence on Quadra Island. A perfect setting for another love infused day. My favorite part of their day was seeing the connection between them, and seeing them smile all day long.

Crystal and Evan
A rainy Quadra morning was the perfect day for Crystal and Evan to get married. Crystals grandpa might just be the best guy you’ve ever run across. He and I engaged in a ceremony ‘shoot off’ was definitely a favorite moment of mine. Full of meaning and thought, and inspiration, this wedding… was a highlight of my entire summer.

Michelle and Jeff
Seeing a new mom and dad with their little baby… heaven. I loved watching the love spiral between this gorgeous bunch.

Cathy and David.
It was just them. It was another highlight for me. Quiet. Serene and oozing with magic, I was honored to be a witness.

Mel and Larry.
So much can be said. I LOVE YOU MEL. As if you aren’t the most wild, caring, thoughtful, WILD, awesome gal ever. I showed up to photograph her wedding and she had a gift for my baby… “um… HI.. I’m about to spoil you rotten with wedding photos”. Now that’s a way to make your photographer step it up a notch! All joking aside, she has contagious enthusiasm and just makes you want to give her anything, and more!

Meg and Troy
My baby cousin and her wonderful fella. The light was perfect, the couple blindingly in love, and everyone there was GORGEOUS. An amazing Victoria wedding. Love you guys.

Heather and Andy
Their Mayan Riviera wedding couldn’t have been an ounce more perfect, or more them. It was exactly as they wanted it to be, and I am always honored to share such intimate moments with such important people in my life.

Cherie and Jamie
I always love weddings at The Black Rock Resort in Ucluelet, but this one was incredible. I instantly fell in love with Cherie, and her boundless spirit and ability to light up an entire room with her smile and laugh. It was full of awesome (and my sidekick Thelma, and our dogs came for a mini getaway to the resort, always a bonus).

Stacey and Eddie
The perfect ending to an amazing 2010 wedding season. For me, it wasn’t just a wedding season though. It was all intertwined with my memories of being a first time momma. All of it was challenging, but all of you, my cherished wedding couples and clients and friends, made it all extraordinary. A perfect end to it all, of course is in Maui, with Stacey my pregnancy buddy, and Eddie.

I can only hope that 2011 will be as amazing.
Thank you all for joining me on the ride.