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Ready to spend some time reminiscing with me about this Abbotsford wedding in the Secret Garden? I promise you’re going to love it. It has all the elements you need for a perfect story. Long-time friends, secret gardens, stolen glances… Okay, let me get on with the story. 

Before the Abbotsford wedding

I met Alyssa at her sister’s wedding. You might remember seeing Amanda and John on my blog. They were married at the Golden Eagle Golf Club the winter before. I was thrilled to see Alyssa’s inquiry come in a few months later, and I couldn’t wait to be part of another special moment for this family. 

The love story 

Alyssa and Jeremy were the sweetest couple. They met when they were 16 at a birthday party, and have been sweethearts ever since. 

It’s something special when you grow up together like Alyssa and Jeremy. You really get to know each other and see the evolution of your partner through many early phases of your lives. And when I looked at Alyssa and Jeremy, all I could see was unending love. 

They’re so in sync. Which, I guess, is suiting since they’ve been essentially attached at the hip since high school!

They got engaged in 2023 in one of their favourite places in Langley – Campbell Valley Park. It was one of the first places they really called their own when they first started dating in 2015. Which makes it absolutely fitting that they start the next phase of their lives there too. 

What was the Abbotsford wedding in the Secret Garden like? 

Alright, let’s get to the good part. 

Alyssa and Jeremy had the prettiest Abbotsford wedding at the Secret Garden at Ripples Winery. If you’ve never been there, you’re in for a treat with these photos. The Secret Garden is this amazing little tucked-away nook at Ripples Winery. Being there feels magical. It’s just surrounded by plants and flowers, making it feel like you’re in a world all of your own making. 

You feel secluded, and it lends an intimate setting for your event. Which was also the perfect place for these two. 

While we’re talking about perfect things, I’m a sucker for perfect moments. As a photographer, I see quite a few of them, and they’re all special. But with Alyssa and Jeremy, it felt like every moment was perfect. It was like they knew exactly what to expect from each other and the day because they were marrying their best friend. If only everything could be so effortless and easy. 

Still, the look on Jeremy’s face when he first saw Alyssa coming down the aisle is going to stick with me for a long time to come. It was this beautiful mix of adoration and happiness. A small smile, just for her and the moment 

The wedding was simple and elegant, but the energy in the room and among the guests was profound. Everyone in attendance was bursting with joy at these two tying the knot. 

And it was awesome to be part of their big day. 

Now, since you’re here for the pictures, let’s get to it! Here’s a selection of some of my favourites. I hope you like them as much as I do.

Shot by MKP Associate Jocelyn, Edit & Creative Lead by MKP

As a Langley photographer, I get the chance to hear so many love stories. It’s one of the most rewarding parts of what I do. One of the recent weddings I photographed was for Jade and Matt. They got married at Redwoods Golf Course in Langley, which is always such a gem of a venue and one I love to shoot at for local Langley weddings. 

Jade and Matt’s love story started before they even knew it. And I think that’s maybe one of the most beautiful parts – you know about fated love and being meant to be. In 2016, Jade was working as a server at Brown’s and served Matt. And while that might not have been when they fell in love, it was an encounter that stayed with Matt for years to come. 

Fast forward to 2020, and Jade was home early, having lived abroad for some time. Covid restrictions were easing come summer, and socializing in small groups was back. Jade was spending time with some friends in the park, and through an act of serendipity, met Matt through mutual friends, and the rest of their history is writing itself.

Meant to be, right? 

As I got to know my clients, I quickly decided that Matt is a romantic. He proposed on Clark Island during a fun little weekend boat adventure with her family. He popped the question overlooking the ocean with spectacular views of Mt Baker. Jade was surprised but thrilled. 

Getting ready for our day at Redwoods Golf Course

The Redwoods Golf Course is a beautiful venue for weddings. It offers a mix of rustic country, forest backdrops, scenic boardwalks, and picturesque moss-covered buildings that add a dreamy, magical feeling to the moment. 

Getting ready is one of my favourite parts to photograph. It sets the stage for the rest of the day, and with Jade, you could feel the anticipation and excitement in the room. Everything from the quiet moments with her mother to the laughs with her bridesmaids was perfect. 

And the big reveal moment! Oh gosh, I was happy to be holding a camera because I wanted to swoon with how breath-taken Matt was when he first saw Jade in her dress. 

All in a Langley Wedding Photographer’s Day

Capturing these moments is what makes my job so rewarding. The subtlety in a smile, the whisper of love with a glance. 

The scenery, of course, added to the wonder of the day. And Redwoods Golf Course was the perfect backdrop for Jade and Matt’s elegant Langley wedding.

There is a lot to be said about the ambiance that your photos have when you’re working with the afternoon light filtering through tall trees and dancing off the dresses. With brightly lit lawns and a gentle breeze. 

Saying I loved how these photos turned out would be an understatement. Redwoods Golf Course has so much scenery to offer. Add in a celebratory white tent with twinkling lights, and festivities, and you’ve got yourself a perfect setup. 

Now, without further ado, have a look through this beautiful Langley wedding.  

You might not automatically know where I’m talking about when I say this next wedding was at the Sandpiper Resort – but you might know it better as Rowena’s Inn on the River. In either case, this wedding venue in Harrison Mills has got to be one of the most amazing places that I get the privilege to shoot. 

A bit about the Sandpiper Resort

Before I dive into the wedding itself – which, you know I’m dying to do! – I wanted to share a little about this venue and what I love so much about it. 

The Sandpiper Resort has this understated elegance. It’s on the river, and tucked in out of the way from the real world. I almost feel like I get transported to a different place when I shoot here. 

And how could I not, it’s got this beautiful English-style manor, with a blend of stonework and woodwork. Weddings here almost feel like they’re trapped in time. 

Also, it has great accommodations. There are cottages for your guests and RV sites if you need them, and it has all the charm a country wedding deserves.

But you’re not here to listen to me gush over this estate, you’re here to see pictures! 

So, without further ado, let’s get to S and C, who got married at the Sandpiper Resort. 

Sandpiper Resort wedding sessions 

I usually spend a lot of time talking about the couple I’m photographing, but I wanted to change things up a little bit with this piece because I truly love this venue and it’s important for you to know what kind of beauty there is here. Especially if the Sandpiper Resort is on your list of options!

Now, one of my favourite features of the Sandpiper Resort is the manor—more specifically, the amazing light that pours through the windows. You can see this in one of the photos in the gallery—you know the one. S was a stunning bride, and the picture of her standing in front of the patio windows will forever be ingrained in my mind. 

I know they are just windows, but if you look closely at the pictures, you can feel the elegance and magnificence of the moment. And I am telling you, that the lighting in this room is responsible for this. 

The other really amazing feature is the chandelier and the arched windows. I mean, the woodwork and craftsmanship in the Sandpiper are beautiful on their own, but add the warmth of love and happiness of a wedding, and its magic. 

Alright, S and C were also such a stunning couple, that no matter what they’d look amazing. 

Scenery for every moment

Believe it or not, I can talk about the interior of the Sandpiper Resort and the manor itself forever. So let me shift gears and talk about the scenery. 

One thing I love about the Pacific Northwest is our forests. Especially the tall, mature trees that aren’t really thick at the base, so you get this amazing light that filters in. You’ll see this a lot in my galleries, and S and C wedding is no different! 

I snapped these beautiful pictures of the bridal party with the backdrop of trees and I am in love. 

But the Sandpiper Resort has it all when it comes to scenery. There are mountains in the background, the river, the grass field, and the stunning interior. 

The wedding gallery

Alright, you’re probably thinking I’m in love with the Sandpiper Resort – I totally am! But you’re here to see this stunning couple on their big day. 

Feel free to browse the gallery below. You’ll feel the love & connection in each photo, with every glance between S and C. It was an absolute pleasure to be part of their big day. 

Congrats, you two!

I want to acknowledge the simple, understated elegance that was Carlie and Freddy’s Manning Park wedding. It was classy and absolute perfection. I cannot say enough about this venue and this beautiful couple. 

But I’m going to try anyway. 

For anyone who likes being outdoors, I’m sure you’ve been to Manning Park. Now, Manning is only a few hour’s drive away from Vancouver. Yet, it offers so many awesome adventure possibilities – beautiful lakes, camping, hiking, and cute little cottages that make the perfect weekend wedding getaway. 

Carlie and Freddy’s wedding was exactly that. A perfect getaway. 

What to expect from a Manning Park Wedding? 

Good questions, I’m glad I asked. 

As I mentioned, there are so many visual aspects to take advantage of in Manning Park, that I tried to get as many in as I possibly could with Carlie and Freddy.

Let’s start with the getting ready part of the day. Carlie and Freddy were staying at the resort. The cottages are simple and a little rustic, which actually makes them a wonderful blank canvas to be elevated by the moment. 

The decor is simple and clean, which meant that Carlie’s dress, her shoes, the tender moments with your mother, and her bridesmaids were given this unobstructed presence. You can see it so clearly in the image, that the background of the cottage doesn’t distract from what’s happening. 

If anything, it adds a natural vibe to the whole album. That, and the amazing light that filtered in the morning on the balcony, made for such spectacular photos. 

What I loved about Carlie was her smile. I don’t know that there was a moment when she wasn’t beaming with joy. It was infectious to be around. Everyone around her couldn’t help but smile too. 

At the Manning Park Resort

Now, back to what you get at a Manning Park wedding: 

Cute cabins and plenty of room to stay → check! 

Up next, we have lush, mature, forested trails. 

Alright, the photographer in me loves forest photography. I can’t help it. The lighting can be utterly magical, especially with the added drama & warm glow from the wildfire smoke (welcome to BC!). And who doesn’t want a magical feeling to their already magical day? 

Manning Park has this simple network of trails that are suitable for any skill level. If you’re thinking your wedding needs to be at the top of a mountain – we can do that hike. Or, like Carlie and Freddy, we can take advantage of the secluded wonder of the trails, and the breathtaking streams of light that elevated their first look moment. 

It’s a good thing that I got these pictures out of the way before the wedding. It was such a sweet moment that I teared up! 

And we don’t want that! 

In any case, the look on Freddy’s face when he saw Carlie. The moment their fingers touched before he turned around. I get chills just thinking about the love shining in his eyes. 

I was really happy to be able to take these precious pictures in the forest. It gave a more intimate feeling to the moment, which was exactly the feeling that I was going for. 

We did end up taking advantage of the other views, with some beautiful lakeside photos for the ceremony and the family portraits. 

What I loved most about shooting at Manning Park was that Manning Park is busy in the summer. Yet, you would never know that. Given its size, you wouldn’t expect how well set up Manning Park is. Or that hosting your wedding here makes it feel like it’s just for you. A piece of wild paradise just waiting for your big day. 

Photo gallery time! 

Well, with that, I think it’s time that you get to see that happy couple in action. I had an amazing time photographing Carlie and Freddy and being part of their Manning Park wedding adventure. 

Enjoy the pictures of this great day!