Tofino wedding dreams

There is a reason people from all over the world fall in love with Tofino and the west coast of Vancouver Island.  It is remarkable.  Even if  you don't believe in magic, you'll still find yourself holding hands at sunset, standing in awe at the fog rolling in and staring in amazement up at the vast canopy of  lush green rainforest all around you.  Tofino has the uncanny ability to charm even the coldest of hearts on seemingly ordinary days.  Yes, it's a long windy road to get there... but, it is always worth it.  

These two, their wedding.... oozed effortless elegance.  

Tucked in a rustic coastal paradise {aka Middle Beach Lodge}on Vancouver Island,  Decima and Mario had a wedding that perfectly depicted their beautiful and tangible connection.  The breathtaking west coast shoreline this set the scene for a remarkable celebration with two glorious souls.  They are both... truly special beings.  They are kind, so kind.  Stylish, sweet and incredibly thoughtful.  The details were all thought out with love, care and incredible taste.  The lodge, the stunning Truvelle gown, the seemingly simplistic yet lovely attention to detail in the most relaxed and authentic way.  The bride lovingly included the most soulful touches in memory of her cherished sister.  It was all just so heartfelt and beautiful.  Months later, it has still left impressions on my heart and today, I just felt like sharing.  

Weddings are truly whatever you want them to be.  What I love is celebrating love, and being able to capture those precious moments for you to continue celebrating long after they've past.  Celebrating connection, family, joy.  Bringing people together in ceremony to honour something as ancient as life itself.  May we always choose to celebrate all the beautiful moments that create our story.  How dull life would be without these beautiful ceremonies.  Plan on beautiful people.  Create the wedding of your dreams.  It doesn't have to break the bank, it can be as sweet and intimate or as grand and wild as you can imagine.  But whatever it is, it will be yours.  xo 

Amazing vendors that will make your life and planning easier, and way more beautiful.... {Decima and Mario's dream team}

Middle Beach Lodge

Shaesby jewellery

Truvelle 

Celsia Florist 

Mandy from Headquarters Hair Studio

Black Rock Resort Wedding

Adeline and Francis were married on the hauntingly majestic West Coast of Vancouver Island, at Black Rock Resort in Ucluelet BC.  It's a bit of a mission to get there, a long winding narrow road (not for the faint of hearts) however... if you can do it.... your wedding is sure to be full of incredible memories for all.  Adeline and Francis are two of the most passionate, loving and wonderfully in love people I've ever met.  Every moment was completely infused with an elegant beauty... it was literally dripping with love.  A traditional tea ceremony, followed by a non traditional first look on the beach then emotional ceremony overlooking the sea.  Truly a dream to be a part of.  

xo 

Tofino wedding featured

Fall behind in time change...equals a little less sleep, and I didn't even notice because I was so happy to have a wedding chosen for a feature on the ever popular "Ruffled" wedding blog. So honoured to have been Steph and Scott's chosen photographer, and so thrilled to have been a part of this truly dreamy west coast wedding. You can check out the full feature HERE. ox

Michelle and Martin.

At times I feel like it's incredibly hard to put into words what it means to me to be a part of such intimate, personal moments in people's lives. I just feel so deeply honored. Especially during an elopement. THEY CHOSE ME. And, virtually no one else. WOW. I mean. Wow. So so so honored.

I put a lot out into the world. Personal stuff. Emotional stuff. Things that make me a little vulnerable and sometimes just downright uncomfortable. Why. Well, ideally...I do it to connect with and attract the perfect clients for me. Clients who, when I first meet them, feels like I've known them forever. Emails between us seem like they are between old friends, not complete strangers.

My photography business is not just a way to make a living. I view it as my profession, yes and I am so grateful to make a living from it. But, 'work' is also 'life' and my life. I value my time. My time here on earth, my time away from my family. If my time at 'work' is more meaningful, more beautiful and spent with people who 'get' me, and love me before even meeting me. Well, then I'm onto something really incredible.

If, in the whole process, I can capture something meaningful. Something magical. Something precious... for my clients. Then, that is just remarkable. I felt an INSTANT connection to Michelle and her desire for an incredibly intimate Tofino, British Columbia elopement. On the beach. Just them. LOVE IT. LOVE THEM.

On a private beach, with not a soul in sight... they shared heartfelt vows, laughed, cried and even pinky swore. It was absolutely inspiring and lovely. I was swept off my feet. To top everything off... we headed to "Tacofino" a mexican food truck just outside of Tofino. BEST. IDEA. EVER. Seriously. Seriously. Best. If I were to say how I wanted my eventual "wedding" to be... this, is likely it.

If you were interested in what amazing things Michelle said to me after viewing a gallery of my favorites from our time together.... check out HERE. I hope you are swept off your feet by them as much as I was....am. ox

Magic and Light.

There are rare occasions when the universe offers you moments like these, LIGHT like this.

When sunlight is offered to you bursting through an incredible storm, amidst a downpour of rain, you take it. Quietly. Humbly. (not that I was either) You take it, and then you take your bride and groom out from under their umbrellas and tell them excitedly to "LOOK AT THE LIGHT". I was totally overwhelmed by this remarkable gift. It wasn't for long, I believe it was 10 minutes of no rain, and pure magic, but it was enough. Enough to remind me that, we are certainly surrounded by something sublime, surreal and powerful.

Appreciative, Grateful, and Awestruck. That's me.

When Jeremy and Tabitha originally contacted me to photograph their wild west coast wedding, I was instantly inspired, but had already booked a birthday party for the same day... Luckily I had some wonderful clients who even moved their daughters first birthday party to the day before, to enable me to capture these wedding images for Tabitha and Jeremy. I am so honored, moved and grateful to have been at the Wickaninnish Inn with you all, (all eleven of you) It truly restored my faith in believing that small, intimate weddings are possible on Vancouver Island!

These images... this light... Tofino, British Columbia, are all, very special to me.

I hope your week is full of amazing light.