Akane and Justin are my kind of humans. Their story is colourful, full of chance meetings and different countries. They traveled from their home in Romania to Tofino for their destination elopement. Their elopement, my kind of elopement. Her visions and priorities were her beautiful kids, family, Tofino beaches, dress, flowers, hair, and me. Laid back, love fuelled, beautiful event. If you think you need a million hours of coverage, just for the record... I was with them for a total of 2 hours of photography. I definitely can not do a big wedding in that amount of time, but an elopement with a few of your faves... I can do. I love Tofino elopements, Tofino anything really and it appears judging by the amount of time I spend on the west coast, it is a favourite of my amazing couples as well. The moment I set foot on the property I knew I was going to fall in love with their celebration. Akane was calm, sweet, caring and I absolutely fell in love with her energy and infectious laughter. I loved how she just carried on mothering her boys although it was for sure going to mess up her hair/makeup and dress... she laughed it all off. Thats when you know, you are onto something good at a wedding. When the little things are just that, the little things. Another thing I love at weddings is live music, like when your incredible sister in law has the voice of an angel and sings the bride down the isle. Makes everything more momentous and memorable. How beautiful. How grateful I am Akane and Justin to have shared it with you. ox
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}
Mandy from Headquarters Hair Studio
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
