Intimate Wedding at Wild Renfrew and Botanical Beach in Port Renfrew // Holly and Alessandro

Holly and Alessandro host their nearest and dearest at Wild Renfrew for their wild and intimate Botany Beach Wedding Ceremony // Victoria Wedding Photographers

Since moving to Sooke on Vancouver Island a couple years , Port Renfrew quickly became one of our (if not our most) very favourite places.  A quiet, rugged, wild, and mysterious pocket of coast line takes the breath away of every visitor. Winter storms are dramatic, wildlife is abundant, and the landscape is humbling. Our first trip there was a cold and grey November day as huge green waves crashed against layers of black angular lava rock. Like liquid glass colliding against a book of razors. We could only stand there and stare, mouths agape. Just around a bend from there, a short hike through twisted cedars, sitkas and firs, is a smooth refuge of flat beach, sheltered from ocean winds and pock marked by tide pools that teem with sea life.  One doesn't need to wonder why Holly and Alessandro, geologists, would choose this on all places to host their family for their intimate wedding. 

Holly and Ale got ready for their day at the Wild Renfrew cabins, overlooking the Port of San Juan, and mountains filled with new and ancient growth forests.  As a small group, their friends and family walked down to Botany Bay and gathered closely for their ceremony officiated by an inviting and humourous  Port Renfrew local Reet Buckler.  Eagles soared overhead, sea lions played in the kelp bed, and waves crashed rhythmically on the rocks.  After the ceremony and champagne, we stole away with Holly and Ale to explore the coast more for some adventurous portraits.

Thank Holly and Ale for having us there to be a part of your beautiful, natural, an intimate day. We hope you love the photos!

Stanley Park Engagement Session // Jane & Joseph

Jane and Joseph stroll the Seawall and explore the Stanley Park Gardens in Vancouver // Victoria Wedding Photographers

Wowee! Spring was fabulous, but summer has made a booming arrival!  What gorgeous weather we've been having. On days like these, we love to stroll somewhat aimlessly, check out the sights, play tourist, and take in the long days. That's just what we did with Jane and Joseph during their Stanley Park engagement photos! he park was abuzz with tourists and locals like, as we wandered from the Aquarium, to the gardens, and then the Seawall. It was a perfect day for people watching and flower gazing as we stopped to admire the rhododendrons, azaleas, roses, and alliums all around the park. All the while we chatted, giggled (and twirled!!) with Jane and Joseph, and took the opportunity to chat about them, their upcoming wedding and their excitement for their big day! 

Thank you Jane and Joseph for taking a easy breezy Saturday stroll with us during your engagement photos, we had a blast!

Metchosin Engagement Photos at Devonian Regional Park // Jessica and Jordan

Jessica and Jordan explore the forest and beach at Devonian Regional Park in Metchosin // Victoria Wedding Photographers

Jessica and Jordan have a busy few months ahead of them as they plan their Mount Washington wedding from their home in Calgary. That's why we were so excited when they let us know they'd be on Vancouver Island visiting family, and that they'd have some time to meet up with us to do some engagement photos!  When they said they liked places that would fit their love for the west coast forests, and the beaches, we knew a place that would tick all the boxes! Tall evergreens? Check. Tangly, mossy garry oaks? Check. Beautiful beach? Check! For a little added bonus, we had the whole place to ourselves which is always great when photographing an engagement or a wedding.

We always love to photograph couples in places they love, doing things they love, but we also have a blast when we get to tell people about a cool place that they've never been before.  We had so much fun taking Jessica and Jordan through the trails to explore the beaches and rock formations. 

Thanks Jessica and Jordan, we can't wait to see you again at your Mount Washington wedding!

Pender Island Engagement Photos at Magic Lake // Hilary and Chris

Hilary and Chris have a wine picnic at Medicine Beach on Pender Island and hang around their cabin during their sunny springy engagement photos // Victoria Wedding Photographers

One of our favourite goals we've made over the past couple years is to do a lot of island hopping of the Gulf Islands, for fun and for work so we can explore more of island life.  We've seen and photographed weddings and engagements on Salt Spring, Thetis, Galiano, and now Pender, thanks to Hilary and Chris who invited us there to their cabin to explore and do their engagement photos.

We couldn't wait! We met Hilary and Chris at their cabin on Magic Lake, which really was magical! The crisp air, shining sun, lime green willow buds, and lakeside cabin had made us feel right at home and dreaming of spring! After hanging out on the dock with their pup, Lazlo, and cat, Earl, Hilary and Chris took us over to Medicine beach to show us the views and to pop out a wine picnic on the driftwood covered beach! What a perfect way to spend a sunday!

Thanks so much, Hilary and Chris, we had a blast! We can't wait for your May wedding in Stanley Park!

New Westminster Engagement Photos // Cathryn and Robert

We explore New Westminster's board walk and back alleys during Cathryn and Robert's engagement photo session // Victoria Wedding Photographers

Winter and spring are often chalk full of engagement sessions for us, and we've been riding the dizzying high we've gotten as we jump from one to the next!  It's an exciting whirlwind for us, and a huge moment for our couples as they plan their weddings whether their wedding is quickly approaching, or over a year away!  New Years Eve may seem like a long way off to some, but for Cathryn and Robert, who are hosting their Brix and Mortar wedding that day, we're sure it feels like it can't come fast enough!  Hosting an urban wedding at one of the most unique and romantic wedding venues in downtown Vancouver, an urban engagement session seemed very fitting for the theme! What a better place to do it than right in Cathryn and Robert's hood in New Westminster!

We met up with C + R on a sunny saturday evening, with clear blue skies and golden sunlight and they took us on a tour as we snapped pictures! We strolled through the brick alleyways, counted all the new and trendy cafes, and explored the boardwalk near the River Market for sunset. 

Thanks so much Cathryn and Robert for showing us a great time and so many of New West's new gems! We can't wait for your wedding

Victoria BC Sunset Engagement Photos // Jane and Nick (and Scout and Randall, of course!)

Jane and Nick's sunset engagement on their ocean property in Victoria // Victoria Wedding Photographers

You know us, we love any excuse to hang out with awesome people with awesome dogs to enjoy an awesome sunset.  It's even better when work involves all of the above!  Jane and Nick came up to Victoria from Seattle last week to enjoy a visit with family, and we stole them away for a glorious engagement session.  We didn't need to go far to embrace some epic Victoria vibes: we found the perfect romantic sunset setting right in the backyard!  

Last year we met Nick and Jane via Skype to talk about their upcoming wedding at Victoria Golf Club this year, and we couldn't wait to meet them and their pooches in person.  We were greeted with huge smiles from Jane and Nick, and lots of tail wagging from Randall and Scout. After some puppy play on the lawn, we headed over to relax on the adirandack chairs for a beautiful sunset.   Throughout the whole evening we were blown away by the natural, effortless connection and chemistry between Jane and Nick, and it was made all the more dramatic with the ocean breeze and warm sunset light.  We can't wait to see these two get married!