Niallan & Brett's Keating Farm Wedding

I'm Back!!!

Did you miss me?! Did you notice I was gone?! lol. I took a couple of weeks of of posting wedding blogs as my personal and professional life were just too jam packed with good stuff to find the time to sit and type. Sometimes my priorities are dragged where they need to be. Family, editing, emails, the garden, running... the list goes on! To be honest, there's something I really want to know. Are you reading my blog posts? I can tell a bit from website analytics but I am not sure EXACTLY who these posts reach and if you are reading the stories and looking at the images. So can we try something together? If you read this, can you DM me? Let me know what you thought of this blog entry and anything else you might like to see? Because really everything that comes out here is just my pouring the inner workings of my brain onto a page. And if you are here, these posts are for you. So here I sit, quickly typing away on my keyboard imagining myself like that Jim Carrey meme where he's like typing so fast with one hand and drinking coffee. I think it's from Bruce Almighty. That's me lol. OK, enough about that while I work to get this done during my tiny girls nap. Can she make it happen? We shall see! :)

Well anyway its May and I am working my way through posting last years weddings. Only a handful left to share! This method is so fun because it allows me to relive it and look at a full gallery again examining all the little details, and there are so many good ones. Sometimes I question myself sending SO many images in a wedding gallery but honestly, I wouldn't have it any other way. There are so many cool and special moments that just need to be shared and this wedding day was not short on those.

Niallan & Brett reached out to me and we got to planning the photography details of their very special day! Another wedding with Blue Lily events on staff and I knew we were in good hands. A good planner makes the WORLD of a difference. Takes all those little day of logistics off your plate and just allows you to relax. They also make my job more photography focused. When there isn't a planner, the photographer kind of assumes that roll in some ways. Keeping the timeline in check and reviewing details with you to ensure everything is ready. I truly don't mind that AT ALL, but I also enjoy the extra space for creative freedom when I am relieved of that duty. I'm always going to be there for my clients and in tune with the timeline and details no matter what, but there is alwayssss something to be said for a planner.

OK SO, I met these two for their engagement session at a local beach that I love and it was so fun. We explored and played in all the best spots and I got a feel for how they would feel on their big day. Engagement sessions are perfect for soaking in that fleeting time of being engaged and having memories to look back on before the wedding. They are also the perfect experience to get comfortable in front of the camera and get to know your wedding photographer! Having someone you already know on the day of is just another way to make your day extra special.

These two planned their day at Keating Farm in the Cowichan Valley. If you haven't been, let me tell you! OMG this place is incredible. It's a stunning historical venue with almost 30 acres of goodness. Fields, animals, orchards, barns and stunning buildings. If you are looking for something rustic but elegant and charming, look no further. This one checks ALL the boxes.

I started their coverage with getting ready and detail photos in the bridal suite before moving on to getting ready photos with the groomsmen. The energy was light, excited, filled with laughter and easy going. I remember it was a warm day already, summer still in the air even though it was September.

Next up was their first look. We planned this moment in the quiet orchard where they would have space, shade and time to just soak it in. Niallan looked absolutely stunning in her dress, a total natural beauty. After their first look we captured portraits in the orchard and in and around the beautiful buildings close by.

Before it was time for guests to arrive, we needed to make the wedding party photos happen! Their group was so great, positive energy, ready and willing to make the moments happen for these two. It was smiles all around as we started this incredible day. We moved through the orchard and then the field to make the most of our time and all the beautiful scenery.

It was time to prepare for the ceremony! This beautiful celebration was going to take place under the gorgeous tree set in the field. They had a stunning floral swag installed and the sweeping views were perfection. Did I mention I love this place?

Post ceremony we snuck away to the stunning farmhouse which is honestly so beautiful from the outside but the inside is just breathtaking. There is so much to see, and a history you can feel. We explored a little while they soaked up those just married vibes before heading back to the field for family photos.

Once we wrapped up with family, it was time for them to join cocktail hour! One of the many advantages of having a first look and capturing portraits before your ceremony. I wandered around capturing candids of the events and then to the reception space for details- WOW! This one was stunning. When it was time, the amazing staff of Blue Lily let us know they could have a sneak peek of the reception space before the guests entered. I LOVE when couples do this. It's a chance for them to quietly connect again and see all of their dreams, colours, patterns and plans come together. It's fun, it's romantic- so why not?

The reception began with the Bride & Groom as the first two in the room. Dinner was incredible (as it always is with Mensch) and the speeches were funny & heartfelt. Everything about it was just fantastic. When things were finishing up, we moved to the farmhouse for cake cutting and a sneak away moment before returning to start first dances where their coverage was soon coming to a close. I remember this day like it was yesterday, my camera harness creaking in the wind (LOL IYKYK)

Loved the couple, loved the venue, the vendors. Loved everything about this incredible celebration.