Who says a backyard wedding can't be glam AF?

​

Case and point: Leena & Rumi's riverside nuptials! This spectacular property belongs to Leena's parents, and honestly why look any further afield than your own backyard when it looks like that?!

​

Incidentally, I was actually very familiar with this property as it is adjacent to the sneaky little path next to the bridge that hosts one of my favourite swimming holes/cool down spots. Imagine my surprise heading that very familiar route only to end up at the house presiding over that oft-haunted spot! I'll tell you, after a long hot day of wedding photography, it took all my will power not to strip off and jump in as soon as my time was up haha!

The day started more muted though, myself downtown in the beautiful high-rise belonging to the groom's brother where he and his crew were getting reading. Cloudy skies or no, you cannot deny that that is one of THE quintessential Vancouver views, holy heck! After getting dressed (how sharp are those modern light tan suits- so summery and lightweight while still being appropriately luxe) and Rumi sitting down to write out his vows, a quick toast and they were out the door! As the sun came out behind the clouds, Leena and her girls were busy getting ready with Kerstin (always a pleasure to work with my favourite Nomad by NK gals), and I got to join in on the fun. What an GORGEOUS house holy smokes. 

​

The most gorgeous side-path I've ever seen alongside the home played host to our couples' first look, and Rumi was appropriately gobsmacked by how incredible Leena looked all done up to the nines in her beautiful mermaid gown with its long lacy train and sequinned & beaded bodice. The two of them looked so stylish, modern, and classy together. And the whole wedding party only added to it, with the guys' aforementioned suits paired with the girls in those slinky silky slip dresses that are so popular right now! They all looked a-may-zing!

​

A few simple portraits before guests arrived, and then it was back inside to hide away til the ceremony started. The ceremony set-up could not have been prettier, the perspex clear seating truly letting the gorgeous setting shine, and the lushly draped and be-flowered arch looked so pretty under the towering cedar right beside the river and nestled into the garden. The ceremony itself was beautiful, their heartfelt vows bringing many a tear to many an eye (including their own... and mine!!). You could really tell that these two were absolutely over the moon for each other, and the very best versions of themselves with each other.

​

A quick round of post-ceremony family photos over, the couple wanted a little break to mingle with guests on that gorgeous big deck and socialise and indulge in a drink or two while the planning team got to work flipping the backyard for the reception. As it came together, it was truly special- SO pretty with all the big trees absolutely festooned with twinkling fairy lights. Sufficiently hydrated, we headed around the front of the property to the adjacent bridge for some wedding party portraits, keeping things short and sweet and fun. 

​

Reception and dinner was beautiful, drenched in that golden early evening light, everything looked truly heavenly. The food was amazing, the drinks refreshing, the speeches hilarious, and the vibes impeccable.

​

If only I could have jumped in the river.... sigh!!!

​

(2nd shooting for Nomad by NK)