Hannah and Chris are two of the happiest people I have ever met. They smile all the time, especially around each other. Chris’s dad said that they are always that way, and even more so when they are together. Nothing stopped their smiles, not even a storm on their wedding day.

Chris and Hannah came from England with 25 friends and family to celebrate their marriage. They chose Vancouver Island for their wedding after taking an Alaskan cruise that stopped here for a day a few years ago. Chris is fascinated by our whales and loves First Nations art. Hannah loves humming birds. Their colour and theme was based on a tie Chris found depicting a bear in First Nations style art. They wove the theme throughout their wedding, in their program, decor and even their wedding bands. And the natural beauty of Craidelonna Oceanedge Lodge was the perfect venue for their destination wedding.

They decided to keep things traditional and to not see each other before the wedding. Not an easy task in small quarters. All morning long Chris sent gifts to Hannah… A book of poetry he wrote for her, pearl necklace and bracelet with a humming-bird charm, homemade blueberry gin, autographed pictures from her favourite singer and actor, and homemade perfume. Yes, Chris made the perfume himself. And it was amazing!

Hannah and her mom made the bouquets themselves with flowers from Kenmar Flower Farm Chris found matching ties for his best man, his sister’s boyfriend and both fathers. The watch is a gift from Chris to his dad. The killer whale cufflinks are a gift from Hannah to Chris. As is tradition at Craidelonna, a flag is raised by the groom to signify a marriage is taking place there that day. Chris surprised Hannah with a ukulele player for their ceremony. She loves the ukulele. Thirty minutes before their ceremony was due to start, this storm thundered in. Literally. Thunder on Vancouver Island in April. I know. Weird. Luckily Hannah and Chris were ready. Ritchard Keir, Craidelonna’s caretaker, rallied everyone together to start the ceremony 10 minutes early. He knew we were running out of time. Just as Hannah walked down the aisle, the rain started, then hail and wind. Ritchard took charge and moved everyone to the cover of the lodge. He opened the french doors to one of the guest bedrooms. Most of the guests witnessed Chris and Hannah exchange their vows from the comfort of the bedroom, with Hannah and Chris under a 3 foot shelter on the patio. Me…well I was outside  in the storm praying my camera would survive the downpour as I photographed the  I do’s. I’ve never been so wet at a wedding.  After an hour, the storm passed and the sun came out again. But it was perfect really. You see, Hannah and Chris met in a storm, they got engaged in a storm, so it is perfect that they would be married in a storm. God does have a sense of humour.

We went down to the beach for portraits. The post storm light was beautiful.

Every table had a painting done by Chris to signify all the important places they have been together. And the button hearts were everywhere.  They each made their own cake topper. Hannah didn’t want hers put on top of the cake, beautifully made by The Lighthouse Cake Company,  until after they were married because she painted it to exactly match her dress, and didn’t want Chris to see it early. 

Thank you Hannah and Chris, and your amazing family for a perfect day. I am grateful to have been part of it.