SEPTEMBER 2023
Chelsea & Jeff

modern & bright north vancouver backyard wedding



If you weren't convinced on a backyard wedding by Dani & Ryan's big day, prepare to be sold– Chelsea & Jeff's gorgeous backyard affair was full on one of my favourite ever!
Our day started at Cleveland Dam in North Vancouver with a memorable first look. Jeff had one of the sweetest most genuine reactions to seeing Chelsea. Can't blame him, she looked jaw-droppingly gorgeous in her unique floral gown. These two seriously had style - Jeff's sharp blue 3-piece suit was perfectly offset by his whimsical bowtie and a beautiful boutonniere, and Chelsea's pristine monochrome palette between gown, hair and veil accented by bright pops of colour in her bouquet, shoes, and that bold deep red lip. Honestly I can't get over the effect of her snow-white hair and that lip - so good!!
First look done, we went right into round 1 of couples portraits. These two were a total dream to work with - full of fun and affection, just so genuinely happy for their big day, and it shows in their pics. Honestly I could have spent all day just taking portraits and wouldn't have run out of fuel or inspiration with these two. But all day we did not have, so it was right into wedding party photos! Did I mention these two had style? Just take a look at that wedding party. I'm obsessed with the mix & match bridesmaid dresses that paired SO pretty with their florals. I've genuinely never seen that specific mix of reds and I still can't get over how gorgeous it turned out - red is a rare wedding colour outside of winter weddings, but these are def going front and centre on my inspo board for future clients!!
Portraits in the bag, it was a short drive over to Chelsea's parents' home at the foot of Grouse Mountain. Those beautiful modern florals carried out through the decor with charming vintage-inspired touches, striking a perfect balance between old and new. In the backyard, the ceremony played out against lush gardens and the towering backdrop of mountain pines. The ceremony itself, officiated by a friend, was kept light-hearted and fun. Example? Rock-Paper-Scissors over who read their vows first. Heartfelt personalised vows brought plenty of laughs along with a few tears, and all of it punctuated at the end with a shower of brightly coloured dried flowers and wildflower seeds over the happy couple.
As the guests mingled for a post-ceremony cocktail hour with plenty of drinks and finger-foods, we snuck our newlyweds down the back stairs into the most gorgeous forest spot, not even 50 feet from their I-Do's, for a few more sun-dappled portraits. Love when your variable round 2 ends up being the show-stealer setting!
Their intimate guest list packed inside for a lovely reception which kicked off with speeches as the catering team put the finishing touches on a truly amazing meal. More laughs, a few more tears, and a lot of good vibes.
Dinner down the hatch, we filtered back outside where a perfect late-summer night was getting going with music and more drinks under the charming twinkle of strings of fairy lights. Dozens of pals arrived on scene for the party, which after some immediate post-meal-mingling was kicked off with a sweet-turned-silly first dance before luring friends and family onto the makeshift dancefloor til there was nary a space to turn around.
This one was truly one for the books, I wish I could go back and do it all again!
Associate Shot for Nomad by NK

























