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I can’t believe the day is here that I get to share Sam & Dan’s beautiful Bragg Creek wedding day with you. I love these two – both as a couple and as dear friends to me now. They are the best kind of people and I am so grateful I was able to be there for their special day.

The day prior I had flown into Calgary, picked up my car rental, checked in with S&D and got settled into the hotel. I excitedly prepped my gear for the following day. We had been planning and anticipating this weekend for what felt like years (it was!)! The following morning was wedding day. I excitedly awoke and ran to look out the window to see wildfire smoke I thought I had left behind in BC. What was a clear forecast just hours ago was now covered in a layer of thick smoke. While I was a little disappointed for S&D as it would limit mountain views on their day, it also creates some beautiful warm hues for the day so we couldn’t be mad!

I quickly loaded up the car to head out from Calgary to their getting ready location at Folk Tree Lodge. It was such a perfect intimate warm venue for them to stay at in the days surrounding the wedding. After getting ready was complete, we went straight into their first look. We snuck some quick portraits on the grounds before we headed back to a familiar spot for more photos. Returning to stop #1 from their engagement session in September the year prior, it felt so good to be back. It was so interesting to see how much of a difference some smoke & autumn colours can make! If you haven’t already, you really should check out their epic Rocky Mountain engagement session from last year!

After we were done, we headed over to Easter Seals Alberta’s Camp Horizon which was the venue of choice to host the wedding day festivities. Sam has meticulously planned, DIY’d and decorated their entire wedding day. Her creativity and attention to detail showed through and absolutely paid off! I loved seeing her touches in everything throughout their whole day.

After their wedding ceremony, they hosted a cocktail hour for their guests while family photos were taken prior to their reception starting. Their reception felt so intimate and you could feel the love from everyone there for these two! Sam & Dan are so similar to me – we’re all kindred spirits. We love the same things and that rings true especially when we’re talking about our dogs and our love of food. Both of these aspects were strongly incorporated into their wedding day. The food was in the form of an amazing cocktail hour and incredible dinner buffet from their caterers. And their pups were on hand all day, decked out in fashionable attire, apart of the bridal party and roaming the grounds of the reception. Just another reason why I love these guys so much.

I’m so grateful I was able to fly out to Calgary and be a part of their celebration. It meant the world to me getting to hug these two congratulations on their wedding day and I wish them an absolutely amazing future together! I can’t wait to see them again soon. ♥️

Bragg Creek Wedding Photography Gallery:

Here’s a curated selection of my favourite moments from S&D’s September long weekend Bragg Creek Wedding at Camp Horizon outside of Calgary, Alberta…

Getting Ready:

First Look:

Portraits:

Ceremony:

Reception:

All Photos here by Meg Kristina Photography 

authentic joyful adventurous 

www.megkristina.com

Now Booking 2023 Weddings & beyond.. ✨

Loved this summer wedding? You’re absolutely going to love this wedding at the Secret Garden at Ripples Winery.

See this sweet Tulip festival engagement gallery here! 

We’re crazy about this Okanagan backyard wedding! 

Vendor Love for this Bragg Creek Wedding:

Venue: Easter Seals’ Camp Horizon

Bride’s Dress: The Bridal Centre – Calgary

Groom’s Suit: Thomas Jeffery

Dog Outfits: DogDog Goose

Florals: Primrose Lane Farm Florist

Caterer: Fork + Farm Catered Events

HMUA: Artistry by Bobi | French Braiding

Dog Sitter/Wedding Attendant: Suns out Paws Out YYC

This was my first time attending an event at the Eco-Dairy in Abbotsford BC for S&J’s Bakerview Farm wedding. Bakerview Farms is the wedding & event venue rental services provided by Eco-Dairy’s operators and I was really impressed by the team working the venue as well as the setting & options that this spot provides. Sharing it’s grounds with the Eco-Dairy itself, it has lots of room for guests to roam, kids to play & meet the animals, and to take in the beauty of Mt Baker in the background. There’s lots of options on-site for photos and nearby parks provide an alternative spot – both of which we absolutely decided to take advantage of.

J&S opted for a First Look to start their day, helping us start their wedding day off with portraits so they could relax and enjoy the party later on after the ceremony. We tucked away to a quiet and shady area in the park as it was bright & blinding in the midday sun before heading for their venue. While they didn’t have a full day photography package for coverage, I could’ve easily stayed the whole day with these two. They are so sweet and kind-hearted and it radiated from them more than ever on this day. J looked absolutely stunning in her dress, angelic even with the fluttering shoulder/sleeve details on her dress and her perfectly curled hair sweeping across her face. S was equally striking, looking suave in his suit and a classy boutonnière completing his look.

I couldn’t say more about these two. They are just genuine and kind souls & I wish them absolutely nothing but the best in building their future together! I can’t thank them enough for having me capture their beautiful Bakerview Farm wedding for them.

Bakerview Farm Wedding Photography Gallery:

Here’s a curated look at my favourite moments from S&J’s summer Bakerview Farm Wedding in Abbotsford, BC…

First Look & Bridal Portraits:

Wedding Ceremony:

Portraits continued…

Reception & Candids:

Sunset Portraits at Bakerview Farms:

All Photos here by Meg Kristina Photography 

authentic joyful adventurous 

www.megkristina.com

Now Booking 2023 Weddings & beyond.. ✨

Vendor Love:

Venue: Bakerview Farm | EcoDairy

Decor & Co-ordinating: Valley Weddings

HMUA: SIUGO Makeup l Hairstyle

Bride’s Dress: Champagne & Lace

Florals: Dogwood Designs

Catering: Sugar Mountain Catering

Cake: TracyCakes

DJ: Steel Productions DJ and MC Workshops

Bartending: Roaming Spirits Mobile Bartending

Loved this summer wedding? You’re absolutely going to love this wedding at the Secret Garden at Ripples Winery.

See this sweet Tulip festival engagement gallery here! 

We’re crazy about this Okanagan backyard wedding! 

You know what? I thought I would change up my usual content today with a lifestyle newborn session for you to enjoy. Actually, I don’t usually share much of my portrait or family & lifestyle work, but honestly, I can’t help but share this sweet in-home lifestyle newborn session in Abbotsford from earlier in 2022. And let me tell you, I adore this family so much! In fact, I had the pleasure of capturing them the year prior, before their new addition, during my spring mini’s. Naturally, I loved getting to capture them again in their cozy condo, especially since they moved into their new townhome recently just in time for baby’s first month here.

Speaking of my approach, my lifestyle newborn sessions tend to be very documentary-candid style. Of course, they are laid back and relaxed and not focused on posing – instead, we focus on capturing your interactions together while following baby’s time & mood for the day. And you know what I love most about these? They’re one of the few sessions I shoot that are slow-paced. This means, ultimately, I get to spend some extra quality time visiting with you & baby!

Without more delay, the baby pictures!

Here’s some of my favourite moments from their in-home lifestyle newborn session…

All Photos here by Meg Kristina Photography.

Check out our Family & Lifestyle Page here: http://lifestyle.megkristina.com

See another sweet family’s session on The Blog here.

authentic joyful adventurous

www.megkristina.com

Books Open for 2023

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If you’ve poked around my website, there’s a chance you may have found your way over to my social media pages (Facebook & Instagram specifically for the intents & purposes of this blog). If you were there, you may have noticed I’m not exactly your typical representation of a photography social media page. You see, you won’t find me actively posting with witty captions & engaging reels.

In fact, sometimes I go three to six months without posting on Instagram whether that be a photo on the feed or in stories. Really, I don’t have anything against social media. I do see the benefit of it. But at the same time, especially in the wedding & photography industry, it is overwhelming and can quickly turn toxic. The content, keeping up with the fads, with the crowd, keeping your engagement up, commenting and liking everyone’s posts, etc is just a game that seems inherently disingenuous to this soft-hearted introvert. It’s a game and a hustle I strongly respect for those who choose to engage with it, but it’s a game that’s overall not for me. I’ve tried keeping up consistently with it but I continually feel inauthentic in action.

That being said, that is not to say you won’t find me posting here or there on the platforms. There is a time and a place for everything and that includes social media. And sometimes, there isn’t a rhyme or reason and I just feel like sharing some amazing photos with you – that is what this all used to be about anyway. But you won’t find me being regularly engaging on these platforms as I steer my business model towards in-person consults & connection through our website inquiry/contact form. 

In the meantime, not posting doesn’t mean not working, not operating, or not in business by any means. After 9 years in business, I work primarily through referrals. Still, many clients find me through Google and social media, despite my minimal online presence. This freedom from constant social posting aligns perfectly with my preference for close, in-person client relationships.

I connect with clients through detailed email communication throughout their planning process. They receive exclusive access to my Wedding & Engagement Guide websites, plus my ongoing support. And while I prefer personal connection, I still love sharing wedding sneak peeks during the summer season.

But don’t worry! You’ll see in my highlights years of behind the scenes moments at weddings and these are memories I also hold dear in my heart. Just a small glimpse into this amazing career I am so grateful to continue building. I can’t wait to see who else we connect with this year! 

All Photos here by Meg Kristina Photography.

authentic joyful adventurous 

www.megkristina.com

Books Open for 2023 & beyond ✨