Your Guide to Getting Married on VANCOUVER ISLAND

THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO GETTING MARRIED ON VANCOUVER ISLAND

Planning a wedding is NO JOKE. Which is why I’ve created a guide for you to reference that has a ton of helpful info you might need while you plan for the best party of your life.

Here’s what we’ll cover:

wedding timelines
Lighting
What to do if it rains
Portrait Locations
Vendor recos

Bridal boutiques
Men’s attire
Wedding venues
Where to stay

My PHOTOGRAPHY Style

I admire people who aren’t afraid to go against the grain -The unconventional.
My favourite weddings incorporate unique rituals that reflect the personalities of the couple.

My photography approach is easy-going, documenting the day as it unfolds with a watchful eye for details & candid moments.
I know how important my family & friends are to me, so I will photograph your loved ones as if they were my own.

When it comes to your Portraits, I will there to guide you the entire time. I keep prompts fun & light-hearted, hoping to catch those in-between moments of laughter where you forget the camera is even there. I also mix in some more cinematic & artistic imagery, usually influenced by pretty light & gorgeous scenery.

I want you to be able to reflect on your wedding day in a way that feels real, raw & full of emotion.

Planning Your TIMELINE

I personally assist every couple I work with in crafting the perfect timeline to ensure we include all the most important elements of your day.

I also have a complimentary wedding timeline guide i send to all my clients!

My ideal timeline is around 8 hours. If we’re at the same location for the full day, We can document all the major events in 8 hours without feeling rushed and still giving you time to enjoy your celebration.

I suggest for you to google the sunset on your wedding day and work backwards from there. Not to sound dramatic, but lighting is *everything* and makes a huge difference in the quality of your images.

Example 8 Hour Timeline:

13:00 - photography coverage begins, head to first getting ready location
13:30 - head to second getting ready location
14:30 - first look
15:00 - bridal party photos
16:00 - ceremony
16:45 - family photos
17:00 - cocktail hour + guest candids
18:00 - dinner + speeches
20:00 - couple’s sunset portraits
20:30 - first dance/cake cutting/party photos
21:00 - photography coverage ends

Lighting

Guaranteed no one thinks about this as much as the photographer, because light can be the difference between an amazing photo and a terrible one.

Try to avoid having your ceremony in the middle of the day if you can, pushing everything closer to late afternoon will make for amazing light and a more comfortable experience for everyone. No one wants to deal with sweat stains in their beautiful wedding attire.

Finding/creating shade is the best option for you & your bridal party during the ceremony. Everyone will be in even light, no one will be squinty or having to deal with the heat of a summer’s day. If shade is not an option, I suggest having the sun behind the officiant - backlighting is best in full sun.

And make sure you reserve some time in your schedule near sunset so we can capture some of that golden hour goodness. They don’t call it magic hour for nothing!

bride and groom walk on beach in the rain

What To Do if It Rains

We live in a West Coast rainforest - spontaneous weather happens. I always urge my couples to not stress about it because it’s ultimately out of our control. The weather is just another beautiful element of your story, so treat it as such. I suggest collecting a few clear umbrellas for you and your bridal party if rain is in the forecast. If we are venturing out into the wilderness, bringing a few towels and garbage bags to keep things safe and dry is recommended. If possible, have a backup location for your ceremony. Ultimately, just embrace what you’re given and trust the professionals to deliver rain or shine.

Portrait Locations

Switching up the location for your couples portraits is always recommended. Let’s wander through the city, hit up a park or head to the ocean if we’re nearby. This helps to provide some diversity to your wedding gallery and gives you two a chance to escape, just the two of you, to reflect on your wedding celebrations thus far. I always do location scouting before weddings and have a reserve of epic portrait locations up my sleeve.

Victoria Wedding Planners

The SINGLE BEST way to minimize stress on your wedding day is to hire a professional to help you stay organized before and on the day of your event. Here is a list of my most recommended planners in Victoria: