Westcoast Tofino Wedding at The Wickaninnish Inn
Celine & Paul

April 15, 2015

Neither Katherine or I had been to Tofino since we were children and we were absolutely thrilled when the beautiful Celine contacted us from London asking us to photograph her wedding over the Easter weekend at The Wickaninnish Inn in April. It was storm watching season and the waves did not let us down; neither did the rain, but that’s expected when you visit the gorgeous Westcoast rainforests of Vancouver Island.

We started the day in Celine & Paul’s Canopy Suite at The Wick with panoramic views of Chesterman Beach.

Celine chose a Vivienne Westwood Gold Label Silk-taffeta and Tulle Dress (if you’re familiar with Carrie Bradshaw’s Sex and the City wedding gown, then you will notice the similarities as this is a slightly altered and shortened version of Carrie’s Vivienne Westwood wedding gown from, the movie). It’s subtle asymmetry and gorgeous overlapping layers of silk and tulle was both artful, decadent, and glamorous. Celine topped her outfit off with a custom birdcage headpiece and a Vivienne Westwood Bas Relief Choker complete with three rows of pearls. You can’t forget those Manolo Blahnik cobalt blue Hangisi Satin Pumps. Perfection head to toe!

A sweet letter from Celine’s heart was delivered to Paul setting the stage for their day. Then the antics started as it often does with groomsmen from bird watching to pouty lips in The Wicks trademark raincoats. Haha – love it!

The ceremony location they chose was the adorable little St. Columbia Church right in the heart of Tofino. This heritage church was one of the first buildings on the Tofino townsite back in 1913. It was decorated with 10 fresh cherry blossom trees, spring florals, and ferns brought in by Hilary Miles Flowers from Vancouver. This transformed the chapel into a magical spring forest and imparted a fresh outdoorsy feeling – so stunning!

I love sweet moments like these where you can catch an endearing and emotional look while listening to her husband-to-be’s vow’s.

There’s nothing more adorable than tears of love between sisters!

Since the heavy rain held us inside, we completed the family portraits on location. The moments between the formals are the ones that I really love!

Once last glance at those gorgeous cherry blossoms filling the vaulted ceilings of the little chapel before heading off to The Wickaninnish Inn‎ for their creative portraits and reception.

To keep Celine’s silk dress in beautiful condition for the reception, we opted to shoot portraits in their penthouse suite at The Wick, which didn’t disappoint. Who can pass up some extra time to cuddle and stay warm!

There was also a surprise gift from Paul to his beautiful bride – a diamond-studded Tiffany keychain. No girl can resist that blue box 🙂

On their way to their reception, the wedding couple was daring enough to spend a few moment in the stormy weather to get the perfect Westcoast portrait – complete with gumboots and raincoats.

Based on a rainforest version of an Easter theme their décor comprised of decadent white rose and hydrangea centerpieces with a base of ferns and birch bark. A surprise heart made of moss and ferns acted as a backdrop for their head table.

Emotion filled speeches and a meaningful gift from Celine’s grandfather made a memorable evening, while the Pointe restaurant provided an equally unforgettable four course meal.

The night ended off with the cutting of their magical tower cake decorated with flowers, feathers and a nest of eggs, but Paul could not escape the cake smash!

Celine and Paul were so generous to include us in all their festivities from their welcome dinner to their Easter breakfast the morning after their wedding.

Seeing the sun break the storm on the morning after their wedding, Celine decided to toss her bouquet on Chesterman beach.

Enjoying sometime alone on the beach together before heading off to create their new life together! Congratulations, Celine & Paul – we wish you an amazing life together filled with love and happiness!!!