The Team

Venue: Red Trees Farm

Florals: Flowers & Company Langley

Officiant: Kevin Fatkin

Hair: Make Up by Dwija

Make Up: Andrea Salazar

Catering: 5 Star Catering

Stationary: Greenvelope

DJ: That Awesome DJ Guy

Dress: Calla Blanche

Boutique: The Bridal Gallery

Groom's Attire: Moore's

Bridesmaids' Attire: David's Bridal

Groomsmen's Attire: Moore's

Rings: People's

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This is a real special one for me!! 

It's always a treat to get to work with people that I already know and love to capture their big day. I've known Dylan for over a decade now, having met in the music program we both attended in university. Back then, music was my primary career and photography, especially music photography natch, was just a hobby. Fast-forward over a decade and script has flipped! We caught up a couple years back through a portrait session for Dylan, where I also met his new fiancée Toni, and I could tell right away these two were meant for each other. When they asked me to photograph their July 2023 wedding I was absolutely honoured to say yes!

The big day dawned bright and sunny and perfect. I joined Toni at their townhouse where she was getting ready with her gals before zipping over to Red Trees Farm– pro tip: when your high school teachers also own a Christmas Tree farm, you work that venue connection!! Everything was set up and looking perfect on arrival- simple and rustic decor in their "forest cathedral" ceremony space let the beautiful trees do the talking. I got Dylan into place for their first look before doubling back to bring Toni in as she and the girls arrived in their limo. Well.... almost...!! More like the limo suddenly broke down halfway down the road approaching the farm! But it was John the owner to the rescue, hooking his ATV up to the bright little trolley carriage the farm uses for the winter holidays for visiting children. Talk about arriving in style...!

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A sweet first look later (how incredible does Toni look in that stunning Calla Blanche dress and the perfectly paired old hollywood glam hair and makeup!?), a cheeky swig from Dylan's handy monogrammed flask down the hatch, it was off with the wedding party (in the now-fixed limo) to Campbell Valley Park for portraits. It was HOT, folks. But I think these two must be built different than lil' old me because they 100% kept their cool on this scorcher of a day, AND when I enlisted them a few weeks later for a styled shoot on what ended up being the hottest day of the summer by FAR (keep your eyes out for it coming soon to the blog!). The couple and their wedding party were so much fun to work with, no heat-grumpiness to be found, just good vibes. Eventually the wedding party retreated back to the limo's AC and some cool drinks while we continued solo portraits looping around the rustic heritage farm buildings (a familiar spot as we used it for Dylan's aforementioned portrait session as well). One champagne pop later, it was back to the vehicles and back to the farm.

 

The ceremony was beautiful and heartfelt, a real tearjerker, even for me! I'll get weepy over a decently written set of vows no problem, but when it's two people who you genuinely love and care for... phew! My viewfinder was mistin' up!  Their officiant, Kevin—a familiar face to many wedding photographers in the area—also happened to be an old teacher of these two, and whose personal connection to them really made for a special ceremony. 

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Knot tied, family photos in the can, Toni & Dylan finally got to relax and mingle for a bit, lawn games aplenty and the bar open serving pre-dinner cocktails and ice cold brews. Rustic decor touches carried over from the ceremony space into the reception with custom wood signs and sweet hand-made details. The evening flowed seamlessly into a delicious buffet dinner punctuated with sweet and funny speeches and toasts from friends and family. As Toni and Dylan themselves took to the podium to thank their loved ones, some special guests arrived on the scene to steal the show! See if you can spot these curious neighbours in the gallery below!

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Probably my favourite part of the day was stealing the happy couple away for a quickie golden hour portrait session between the rows of growing trees. That light.... sublime! 9 times out of 10 these sunset photos always end up being my faves, and this was no exception. I know the couple especially love them as well.

After checking in with those curious furry visitors, it was time to cut the cake (made by Dylan's brother- how sweet is that?!), throw the bouquet, and cut a rug. The only downside to photographing your own friends' wedding: being too pooped to party the night away afterwards!!