Creston, BC is easily one of my favourite small towns in the Kootenays. Luckily for me, I got to photograph a  handful of weddings there last wedding season. Each one was similar in it's laid back, family-and-friend-focused vibe, but unique in it's aesthetics and love story. 

Connie, Cody, and their dog Robbie Hart (Wedding Singer fans unite!) had the sort of 'backyard' wedding that I love-- set on a family member's sprawling acreage with stunning views of the surrounding hills and mountains. There was plenty of room for all of their guests to socialize and catch up following the ceremony, before heading over to Casey's Community House where the party was just getting started.

Vendors:
Hair – Danni Bond  Jessica Healey
Makeup – AmberMay Makeup
Flowers – Brittany's Flower Farm
Cake – Brits Cakes

Every so often I get to shoot a wedding that takes me to a corner of the Kootenays that I have yet to discover. Last summer that was Alison and Danilo's wedding. While I am no stranger to Creston BC weddings, I had never been to the small community just south of Creston called 'Lister'. This country paradise is packed full of rural, rustic charm. 

Alison and Dani said 'I Do' on her Family's sprawling homestead property, deep in the valley. Ali walked down the aisle arm-in-arm with her Mom and Dad, while serenaded by her brother and sister-in-law on the fiddle and banjo. It was the perfect, personal accompaniment to an absolutely touching moment in time.

Following the ceremony, guests headed north to Creston to celebrate in style (and out of the rain!) at Casey's Community House.  They sipped sparkling wine, noshed on some absolutely incredible charcuterie spreads, and nibbled delectable sweets from Luv at First Bite Desserts.

The perfect ending to a perfect day!

"We are both nervous and excited."

Words I hear from almost every single couple prior to their engagement session.

Most folks go into this session not knowing what to expect. They may consider themselves 'unphotogenic', or 'awkward'. They may have decades worth of terrible walmart-studio-style-family-photos experiences that they are still working through in therapy. Whatever the reason, it's safe to say that most folks aren't terribly thrilled about having their photos professionally taken. It's all too common and I have heard it all.

And this is exactly why I offer engagement sessions free-of-charge with all of my full-day wedding packages. Because it gives me a chance to show you how painless and fun a session with me will be! We are going to laugh, explore, get our feet and hands a bit dirty, and I am probably going to say a couple of swear words (... who am I kidding? I am most definitely going to say a couple of swear words!) 

The engagement session gives us a chance to break the ice, get to know each other, and have a bit of fun. Oh, and the icing on the cake is that you walk away with a few awesome photos to mark the 'engagement' period of your relationship. You have nothing to lose, and everything to gain by doing this important session with your Photographer prior to the most important day of your life.

Dayna, Zach, and I met at Syringa Creek Provincial Park on the shores of the beautiful Arrow Lakes for their late-afternoon engagement session. As the sun eased itself down behind the surrounding mountains, they danced, splashed, and climbed rocks-- making happy memories to last a life time. And I was there to capture it all.