Hey, I'm Meg, welcome to my little corner of the cybersphere!
I'm a Fraser Valley wedding & lifestyle photographer (est. 2014) based in Langley, just west of Vancouver BC.
Take a look around & I'd love to connect with you soon!
This sweet Maple Ridge backyard wedding & gallery really speak for itself – taking place on a perfect summer day a short wander away from Whonnock Lake. But how did we get here?
My journey with Katie & John started 2 years ago at Manning Park Resort. I was there to photograph Maria & Brad’s wedding day, Katie was a bridesmaid and she caught my eye right away. I could see, both in getting ready & throughout the day, how loyal caring & dedicated of a friend Katie was. Her genuine smile & joy for her friend was evident in every moment of the day. Naturally when Katie reached out to me me a little over a year later to say she was engaged, I was thrilled for her! I had such an amazing time with Katie & the entire bridal party that day in Manning Park – I knew that the man who stole Katie’s heart had to be just as amazing as well.
We met for coffee shortly after Katie’s message and right away I could see the strong connection between her and John. These two compliment each other SO well. I loved watching their interactions – the little glances at each other that said everything without a single word ever being said, and hearing their story of how they met & got engaged had me over the moon for them.
Their love story begins just over three years ago. After being introduced by a mutual friend (one of the groomsmen, naturally!) these two hit it off right away, sending Katie home after their first meeting swooning over John.
Fast forward to a year ago. It was one of the last long weekends of the summer, and John had made plans to steal Katie away on an adventure up the Sunshine Coast. As the weekend came to an end, they found themselves sitting on a bench overlooking the ocean when John suggested they play the childhood game where one person writes on the other’s back while the person blindly guesses what was written. As John’s turns came, he began to write “I love you”, followed by “you’re pretty”, both of which Katie guessed. On his last turn, he slowly but surely drew the words “will you marry me?” on Katie’s back.. The rest, as they say, is history.
Having grown up on her family’s gorgeous property in the area close to Whonnock Lake, a Maple Ridge backyard wedding was practically a foregone conclusion. Whether it seemed like the obvious choice or not, it could not have been a more perfect choice. From the first moment I walked into the getting ready room, Katie was beaming with joy. I’m hard-pressed to remember a bride who has been more joyful, radiant and excited to marry her man. It made the day that much better to be a part of. The joy was undeniable and shared amongst everyone present. You could tell the strong connection these two have with those around them and how much they value those close to them. Katie’s mom served as her maid of honour and, being very close to my mother as well, I loved watching these two together throughout the day! Family was a very important part of the entire day. From adorable nieces being a part of the bridal party & day to Katie arriving to the ceremony in the same classic car that had been in her family for years.
I honestly could write forever about their day. Their vows were beyond touching – I don’t think I’ve ever had so many people tear up during a ceremony (including this photographer over here – yup, me! And I am NOT a crier). Hearing Katie say how John isn’t everything she ever wanted; he’s so much more than that, and all the sweet moments in between left everyone reaching for kleenex. After that, their day was filled with contagious giggles, unending smiles, & an amazing outdoor reception that had.. wait for it.. a BREAKFAST-themed buffet (can ALL my couples do breakfast for dinner? YUM), the best yard games around, a too-good-to-be-true cookie table (ok, I’m sensing a theme.. food is the way to my heart), a killer dance party, and an epic Jenga battle.
I am so lucky to have met Katie at Brad & Maria’s mountain-top wedding a couple of summers ago. I have absolutely loved getting to know her & John more as well as their loved ones. (You can catch up on their engagement session by clicking here.)
Here’s a curated selection of some of my favourites from their Maple Ridge backyard wedding…
All Photos here by Meg Kristina Photography.
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Photography: Meg Kristina Photography
Second Shooter: Marvin Herrera
Florist: Westgate Florist
Bride’s Dress: Champagne & Lace
Officiant: Christina Stanley
Caterer: Design by Desire Catering
DJ/MC: Deejay Absolute
Bakery: TracyCakes
Wedding Planner: Tiffany Carrie/La Vista Events
Washroom Rentals: Full Moon Rentals
Bartender: Shelley’s Bartending
I first met Katie in the summer of 2016. It was the wedding of one of her closest friends, Maria & Brad at Manning Park that I was photographing, and even as I captured their getting ready moments the morning of, you could tell the bond between these two friends was strong. Katie seemed so sweet and her loyalty to those close to her was apparent from the start.
Fast forward a year to 2017, and just as summer started drawing to a close, I received an email from Katie. I could instantly sense her excitement as I read her words – she was recently engaged and couldn’t wait to embrace this stage in her relationship.
As soon as we got together for coffee and Katie introduced me to her fiancé John, the connection between these two was strong. I loved watching how they balance each other out. John possessed a quiet strength & sense of calmness that perfectly complimented Katie’s loving enthusiasm & detailed planning.
After rescheduling due to rain (I mean, it IS fall in the Lower Mainland – who doesn’t have to reschedule a session at least once during this time of year?!) I think we all ended up grateful for the reschedule because WOW, did the weather ever blow us away! Not only were the leaves at the peak of their colourful show, but clear skies left the warm sun shining which provided us with the MOST GORGEOUS golden hour. The sun truly showed off for us (I mean come on, just look at those stunning sun flares and that golden glowy haze – to die for!!).
These two were so playful & loving with each other during their entire session. We had so much fun exploring the park together and taking full advantage of the changing seasons (because really, who can resist a good leaf fight??) I am so excited to share a few of my favourites with you guys & am looking forward to seeing these two tie the knot at Whonnock Lake next summer.
All Photos by Meg Kristina Photography.
Booking Now for All 2018 & 2019 Weddings
www.megkristina.com
photographer for the authentic & adventurous
I’m happy to announce I’m bringing back my Mini Session Special this year now that I’m settled in Langley & with the option to upgrade to the full gallery! It can be so hard to narrow down the images from a session and pick your favourites, so now you can choose to upgrade to the entire gallery which includes all the edited digital images from your portrait session!
Mini Sessions are perfect for families – they’re short & sweet for the kids, or for couples just wanting to get a couple of new photos together. Sessions can be catered to you – maternity, family, children, couples – anniversary, engagement, in love!
Here’s all the details..
Family & Couple’s Winter/Christmas Mini Session’s
Historic Stewart Farm on Saturday, November 18, 2017.
25 minutes – 15 digital images – $150
Option to upgrade to entire gallery for $75
The perfect opportunity to update your family or couple photos in time for Christmas. Only 8 Spots Available!! (The times below may not be reflective of actual bookings, please Contact Meg for current availability)
10:00 am
10:45 am
11:30 am
12:15 pm
1:00 pm
1:45 pm
2:30 pm – BOOKED
3:15 pm
Message Meg at info@megkristina.com or via the Contact page at www.megkristina.com with your preferred time slot & 1 back-up time.
$50 Retainer & Signed Contract are required to book. Your session time is not confirmed until these are received. Booking must be finalized a minimum of 24 hours before time of session.
**These are outdoor lifestyle sessions, not posed set up with decorations & props (although you’re more than welcome to bring your own!) 🙂 . If you are interested in a studio session that’s posed with a set, please let me know. If I have enough interest I can run an in studio mini session day, otherwise I can accommodate you at another time. 🙂
Can’t wait to see you all soon!