Marina and Travis live in Florida, but took a chance on an October wedding in Canada anyway. Her family is from Alberta, but I’m pretty sure most of his Southern US guests were a bit chilly by the reception. Luckily, the sun really came out that day, actually making for a bit of a challenge with the tented ceremony. But oh, the near-sunset light for the portraits was worth it.
The couple did a no-look first look at the door of the yurt before the ceremony. They held hands and giggled and were adorable while their wedding party and parents looked on. Marina handed Travis a note she wrote and as he was reading it, she slipped back into the yurt to talk to someone. He started talking to her around the door and turned to me, “She’s not there anymore, is she?”
I always love the little personal touches and departures from tradition in modern weddings and this wedding had its share. They had old photos of their grandparents displayed on their guestbook table and a fruitcake made by her mother and her best friends. Travis had his family’s tartan kilt, while the groomsmen had less flashy grey kilts. They seemed to enjoy showing off their knees (and Marina’s brother’s garter – not sure how that happened). Instead of throwing the bouquet, Marina gave it to her grandmother, who was super excited about it. Travis’s dad taught a bunch of the guests the Florida gator chomp, which was enthusiastically received by the southern guests. And I really enjoyed photographing all of the amazing dance moves by a lively crowd.
I have to give a huge thank you to Veronique Gagnon for stepping in last minute and driving up from Victoria as an emergency came up for my second shooter.
Venue: Merridale Cidery
DJ: Soundworks Entertainment
Florist: Night Song Farm
Hair: Adorn Hair by Amanda Johnson
Makeup: Erica Harris
Cake: Anica, Louise, and Hazel (bride’s mother and friends)
Officiant: Lura McCallum
Dress: Oleg Cassini from David’s Bridal
Kilt: Claymore Imports and Kilt Rentals USA
