Of course, I'm a sucker for weddings.  I live and breathe them all summer long, and never tire of telling the story of how two families become one - or, in this case, how two countries come together for one.  I had the absolute pleasure of photographing the groom's sister a couple years ago, and received the highest compliment when I was called back to capture Nathan and Cigdem's wedding.  The couple (and family, and friends) will soon head to Turkey, to celebrate again with the bride's family.

And the wedding?  The wedding was simple, elegant, lovely; hosted at a private residence that overlooks the water on a hot, blue-skied day.  Amazing.

After the ceremony, we ventured to the beach to get some lovely, west-coast images featuring the ocean - a vastly different landscape than the upcoming wedding in Turkey.  They literally get the best of both worlds!

And to top it off?  A beautiful, relaxed evening enjoyed with friends and family, a spectacular sunset and homemade wedding cake.

Thank you thank you thank you to the Waghorn family for inviting me back and treating me more like a guest than a photographer.  I feel very spoiled, and hope that you love the images as much as I loved creating them!  (And I can't wait to see take-two from Turkey!)

I am so fortunate that my photography allows me to meet such amazing people and gives me the honour of capturing life-changing moments for them.  Anisa and Kristian's day was dampened by (much-needed) rain, but not spirit - it was an intimate, low-key affair with all the brilliance, emotion and love of a big to-do.

I snuck over to AfterGlow Hair Lounge to get a couple shots of the girls getting ready, then later met them, and the boys, at the Desolation Sound Resort before the ceremony:

I took a photojournalistic approach - working to capture quiet details, moments of reflection and joy, and then took the new Mr. and Mrs. back into the historic Townsite to capture some formals (and escape the rain) at the Rodmay Heritage Hotel, where they so graciously welcomed us.

We were lucky enough to have a very brief break from the rain, so we headed back to Desolation Sound Provincial Park to capture some portraits in amongst the forest:

Both the ceremony and the reception took place at the Laughing Oyster Restaurant, and even through the grey skies and wet weather, the scenery of the Desolation Sound and the surrounding orchard were beautiful.

Anisa and Kristian: thank you so much for welcoming me along for your incredible day, and for rocking the rain.  I wish you both immense happiness.

Photography: Jennifer Kennedy, Kennedy Photografik
Hair: AfterGlow Hair Lounge
Flowers: by the bride
Ceremony & Reception: The Laughing Oyster

What a beautiful day.

Carl and Ashley married at Pebble Beach Farm, a privately-owned waterfront acreage here in Powell River.  It was one of the hottest wedding days I can remember, but the guests were all smiles to celebrate the union of these two gorgeous people.

The beautiful flowers were created my Maggie, the Groom's mother.

The view for the ceremony was breathtaking.  Just amazing.

A champagne toast to conclude the ceremony was a beautiful (and refreshing) addition.

Seriously - the Farm was amazing.  Ocean panorama, fields of hay, old trees... a photographer's dream!

The reception was simple, elegant; full of heart-warming toasts, tear-jerking speeches, and lots of dancing.  (And the cake?  DELISH!)

Thank you so much to Ashley, Carl and their families and friends for having me along for the day. XO

Photography: Jennifer Kennedy, Kennedy Photografik
Ceremony and portraits: Pebble Beach Farm (private residence)
Reception and catering: The Beach Gardens Resort 
Groom's attire: Indochino
Bridesmaids: J. Crew
Flowers: Maggie Hanson (mother of the Groom)
Cake: Jaymie Ollson (friend of the Bride)
Music: Tom Dowding, The Music Room

I've said it once, but I'll say it again - I love shooting weddings.  Especially friends' weddings.

It's not easier - no, not at all - mostly because I want to gift them amazing images that I would any client and to be honest, the pressure is higher.  I have to focus on blending the social with the professional and that can be a daunting task.  But the honour?  Amazing.  I wouldn't trade the ability to have that relationship on- and off-camera for anything.  Often, my friends are up for anything I put in front of them.

Holly is no different.

We've worked together for years professionally (we collaborate creatively on many shoots), and I knew what she wanted.  She picked a location to-die-for (hello, Ucluelet's Black Rock Resort!) and brought the party.  I brought my camera and this is what transpired.

Photography: Jennifer Kennedy, Kennedy Photografik
Location: Black Rock Resort, Ucluelet, BC
Hair & Makeup: AfterGlow Hair Lounge

So, this was one fantastic day.

Justine and Dennie got ready at her parents' amazing property South of Powell River, and opted for a first-look before their ceremony... a photographer's dream!  There are few things I love more than seeing the look on a groom's face when he sees his bride for the first time.  For reals.

After the first look, we shot portraits and family formals before continuing on to the majestic Herondell Bed & Breakfast for their late afternoon ceremony.  Here are just a small few of the images... reception to come! XO

Photography: Jennifer Kennedy, Kennedy Photografik
Hair & Makeup: AfterGlow Hair Lounge
Flowers: Stephanie Larkin, friend of the bride
Ceremony location: Herondell Bed & Breakfast
Officiant: Laura Kew