Blog | Vancouver Wedding Photographer

The Secret Garden at Ripples Winery is by far my favourite wedding venue that Abbotsford has to offer. Tucked quietly away in the Sumas Prairie on the border of Abbotsford & Chilliwack, this hidden gem in the Fraser Valley has everything you could want in a lush green wedding venue.

If I could sum up Jessica & Harman and their wedding day all together in one word I would say JOYFUL. It was just the most perfect day, from venue to weather to timing to people. It went off without a hitch and was such a gem of a wedding day, and Jessica was truly such a radiant joyful bride. It always adds an extra boost to my day as well when I get to see past wedding clients at weddings, some of which were in J&H’s bridal party so it was so nice to catch up and see familiar faces during this amazing day.

When I asked these two what is one dream they have for their future together they said travelling a lot and building a wood log cabin. That sounds like perfection to me. The older I get, the more I value the ability to be isolated in the quiet peaceful wilderness, soaking up being grounded by nature and away from the hecticness of every day life.

Catch up on these two & fall in love with them even more by reminiscing on their engagement session at sunset at Lighthouse Park in West Vancouver.

Secret Garden at Ripples Winery Wedding Photography Gallery:

Here’s a curated look at their joyful summer Secret Garden at Ripples Winery Wedding in Abbotsford, BC…

Wedding Ceremony:

Bridal Portraits:

Reception:

Sunset Portraits:

Reception cont.:

Vendor Love:

Venue/Decor: The Secret Garden at Ripples Winery

DJ: Wailin Dalen Entertainment

DOC: Bright Gray Events

Floral: Everbloom Designs

Cake: Reddy Made Cakes

Catering: Cookies Grill

Videography: FYA Media House Weddings

2nd: Marvin Herrera Photography

Dress: David’s Bridal

All Photos here by Meg Kristina Photography 📸

Loved this sweet summer wedding? You’ll adore Suzie & Stetson’s rainy June wedding day story 🌦

See their sweet Tulip festival engagement gallery here! 🌷

We’re crazy about this Okanagan backyard wedding! ☀️

authentic joyful adventurous

www.megkristina.com

Now Booking 2023 Weddings & beyond.. ✨

Secret Garden at Ripples Winery Wedding Photography

Engaged

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Any chance I can get to book an Alouette Lake Engagement Session, I will take! That is a guarantee! Located within Golden Ears Park in Maple Ridge, this spot has everything you could hope for in an engagement session! Water, trees, beautiful lush mossy greenery, mountains!! It’s no wonder this tops my list of favourite engagement session locations. Dan & Shawna had a perfect day for their Alouette Lake engagement session. The weather was so kind to us after I had recently shot many rainy sessions in a row.

We met for their session only a few short weeks prior to their mountain wedding escape at Big Sky in Pemberton (I absolutely *CANNOT WAIT* for that blog, I can’t wait to share more!!! EEK! If you can’t wait, there’s some previews on my Facebook page to tide you over!).

These two are adventurous spirits; in love with both the mountains and one another. After meeting through a mutual friend almost 10 years ago out east, these two have started building their life together now out west in beautiful British Columbia. I am so happy to have connected with them! Most of my couples come to me through a direct referral from past clients, especially since social media just isn’t my thing. These two were no different, and were sent my way from their friends Mark & Julia who were married last year! It was so nice getting to give these guys a hug & catch up at S&D’s wedding day a few weeks ago. While I can’t wait to share more from their wedding day, I’m SO excited to share some of their beautiful Alouette Lake engagement session photos with you now!

Alouette Lake Engagement Photography Gallery:

Here’s a curated look at their Alouette Lake Engagement Session…

All Photos here by Meg Kristina Photography 📸

You do not want to miss this TO-DIE-FOR colourful Tulip Festival Engagement Session! 🌷

I’m obsessed with this backyard wedding in Surrey, BC! 🖼

Loved this sweet set of photos? You’ll LOVE this beach destination wedding in Cabo San Lucas! 🌊

authentic joyful adventurous 🌻

www.megkristina.com

Now Booking 2023 Weddings & beyond.. ✨

Alouette Lake Engagement Session

Weddings

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Wedding Day Story

S&S had a whirlwind of a wedding day for their Surrey backyard wedding to say the least! Torrential rains both the night prior and night of their wedding caused a ripple effect for their day as the vendor team jumped into action for damage control. You see, the wedding took place in an open field that had turned already wet grassy areas to absolutely water-soaked muddy fields overnight. The thing is, S&S are the most beautiful couple in the world. Nothing would & could ruin this day for them and nothing would take away from the beauty of the day that is their love & this union we were all there celebrating. While things ran anywhere from 1-2 hrs late, unannounced schedule/location changes, & last minute repairs to keep the reception tent & decor ok and the party going kept us all on our toes! Mine of which were thankfully covered in rubber boots; my poor 2nd on the other hand toughed it out in some mud-drenched Toms! Needless to say I think everyone was grateful for a warm bath at the end of the day (especially after dancing in the rain at the end of the night)!

Despite the craziness around us, there was some absolute real beauty taking place all day long – the beauty that is S&S & their genuine authentic crazy real love. As a natural observer & photographer, I love watching these two interact when I have them one on one for a session. They are so natural together. The rain even held off after the night before all the way up till about half way through their reception the next evening. It was a welcome reprieve and another little blessing on these two – plus they say rain on your wedding day is good luck!

Unfortunately, while I couldn’t sneak a moment alone with them on their day, these two still radiated joy all day long. Their ceremony had a very touching moment during the playing of the song Jireh. But really the whole venue was so touching. Located on the groom’s family home, the property was sold and would soon be vacated by the groom’s family that has long lived & cared for this land. It was a bittersweet event bidding farewell to a place that had cared for them as a family was raised over the years. It’s an honour to be a part of moments like these.

The fun didn’t stop there. From a choreographed father/daughter dance, amazing music & dances, to just a great group of people, it was a great way to went a crazy day! They also had some absolutely fantastic extra surprises that shocked and awed me & my team (😂 for my future couples, rest assured we do ask to know of surprises like the following ahead of time so we can ensure we are properly set up for these specific situations)! Fireworks, confetti cannons, oh and HELLO Dunkin Donuts! Wow!! You would’ve had me just at the donuts, because everyone knows food is the way to my heart! 😍

It was really quite a spectacular day that kept us on our toes. I absolutely loved seeing how many incredibly loyal, devoted, protective friends, family & community these two have around them. Their realtor even swung by their reception to surprise them with the keys to their first home a few days early as a wedding present! Safe to say, what could have been a wedding weather disaster turned into wedding magic.

Also, you absolutely have to check out their Tulip Engagement Session we did at the Chilliwack Tulip Festival for them, it’s definitely one of my top 2022 fav’s!

Surrey Backyard Wedding Photography Gallery:

Here’s a curated look at this Surrey Backyard Wedding…

All Photos here by Meg Kristina Photography 📸

Loved this sweet June wedding day? You’ll LOVE this beach destination wedding in Cabo San Lucas! 🌊

authentic joyful adventurous 🌻

www.megkristina.com

Now Booking 2023 Weddings & beyond.. ✨

Surrey Backyard Wedding

Weddings

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South Bonson Wedding Photography

I cannot believe it, time has flown by! These two have recently celebrated their one year wedding anniversary, and now have a baby on the way!! This South Bonson Wedding Photography Gallery is especially personal to me. Hannah & Tyler are near & dear to my heart, Hannah being my photog-bestie/business pal in the wedding photography industry. She’s been by my side from the start and I can’t imagine a wedding season without her. I’m honoured to be helping covering her maternity leave from her photography business for her in the fall and absolutely cannot freakin wait to meet their little one! Catch up on H&T and their engagement session (also in the Pitt Meadows area) over on The Blog in the link above.

Their wedding day was perfect. The weather was ideally warm & overcast, the location and venue were fantastic as always, and I had an absolutely amazing time with these two celebrating their wedding!

Since I poured my feelings out in their engagement session post linked above ^^, I really want to let the photos of their day speak for themselves. Here’s a curated gallery of H&T’s South Bonson Wedding Photography.