We love a turn-of-the-season wedding! 

I think September might be my favourite month for weddings. Here in BC we're still reliably hot, or warm at the very least, the days still are long, but there's that undeniable hint in the air of incoming autumn. Maybe it's just the way the light hits in September... but I'm here for it!

End-of-summer was definitely the vibe for Ariele & Jon's simple but sweet nuptials at the newly built South Bonson Centre sitting bankside along the Fraser River.

My solo day started with Ariele and her gals across the river as they put the final touches on hair and makeup. The day started right away with a surprise as Ariele had swapped out the vintage-inspired 50s tea-length dress all her bridesmaids had seen her in for fittings, having fallen in love with a gown with a totally different, super glam vibe during her final fitting, that happened to only need minor alterations! She kept it a secret from everyone, and the girls' reactions when she came down from the loft to reveal the full look was so frickin' sweet! Visible double takes, and more than one "...Wait....!!!"! 

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We stopped riverside along the rocky banks on our way to the ceremony to get some solo portraits of Ariele, who braved the beach-goers packing in one last warm weekend in the water like a champ, set on those water shots. (We also love a bride who knows what she wants - Ariele has a background in planning and I've never seen a weddings sans-coordination run so smooth and be so perfect!)

As Ariele hid away inside while guests filtered to the ceremony site set up on the lawn overlooking the river, it was truly a perfect bluebird day. Not a cloud in the sky, and the perfect temperature so the guests were comfortable in all that ample sunlight. Lenny Pallerstein was on-the-move through the guests serenading everyone with some beautiful acoustic guitar while the last stragglers found their way to their seats. Jon positioned at the alter, music flowing, the wedding party - boys jacket-less in classic black and white and girls in forest green - came in twos, followed by a trio of ringbearers and Ariele & Jon's baby daughter Evie towed in a cart (looking insanely cute with those lil' antennae-pigtails!!). Ariele was brought to the top of the aisle by both her mum and dad together on either side of her, before carrying up the aisle just the two of them, leaving her to walk the aisle solo. LOVE this way of doing it, for those who want to buck tradition and have the best of both (3??) worlds.

The ceremony was sweet and sunny, full of emotion and laughs, and sealed with a kiss before we knew it! It was right into family photos to take advantage of the infant-factor, and then time to corral a wedding party that was definitely ready to put the party in wedding party down the path for some group photos. Gotta say, I love the contrast of the warm end-of-summer toned foliage with the deeper cooler forest green Ariele chose for her gals - it worked so well to give a classic but modern look paired with the sharp black and white of the guys. And it really helped Ariele's gorgeous multicolour bouquet majorly stand out as THE pop of colour! 

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Powering right through, it was onto portraits as we weaved in and out of the trees along the riverside path, stopping at the mini-piers dotting the walk (and to greet a few wandering guests taking advantage of the beautiful park). These two were so cute, so affectionate and happy - those big smiles giving the sun a run for her money! And so relaxed? Seriously, Ariele might be something other than human - bride, planner, and mom to a baby all at the same time!

Joining the guests for the tail end of cocktail hour where Lenny was still playin' up a storm, lawn games were on-the-go, and coolers of bevvies had been cracked and well-enjoyed, Ariele and John stayed out to mingle and bask in the congratulations while I headed inside to get the reception details before guests headed in as well shortly after. A quick-and-dirty grand entrance was capped with a big toast, and the reception was off with a bang! As mingling continued, catering - in the form of a near-endless amount of stone-fired Neapolitan pizzas in every flavour imaginable - arrived and were quickly descended upon.

As the sun set, I snuck Ariele and John out for a few last solo portraits and a good 'ol champagne pop. (YES it had been sitting and getting hot in my car where I forgot it all afternoon, YES it gave an extra-vigorous pop, and YES they drank that luke-warm questionable-quality-meant-just-for-photos-$12-champagne... props!!!)


Back inside, it was speeches, of course, and then a classic shoe game interlude that lead straight into their first dance, which in turn lead to welcoming all their loved ones to join them in cutting loose and getting their party on. Such a great day, fuss-free and simple, and proving you really can DIY!