Melanie + Karen | Tofino, Vancouver Island Weddings

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Yes…I finally got married!  After nearly 10 years with my partner, Karen, and 6 years of engagement with mutually no desire to plan a wedding, we decided that a beach elopement was so “us”!  Having fallen in love with Tofino on vacation a few years back, we knew that it was the perfect setting for us to say “I do”.  Already in British Columbia for my sister’s wedding in Whistler, we prolonged our stay and married just 6 days after her nuptials.  We rented an amazing beach house on Chesterman’s Beach in Tofino, which backed directly onto the sand with the ocean at our feet…the perfect location for a quaint ceremony.  Instead of a traditional white dress, I chose a flowy, beachy turquoise green dress that I absolutely loved from BCBG Max Azria. My hair and makeup was done by Jessica of “Salty Dolls” and the beautiful bouquet and accent flowers were created by the talented Heather of “Heathers The Flowershop” in Gastown, Vancouver, assisted by my sister, Ashleigh, who works and apprentices at the shop.  Our ceremony was short, sweet and perfect.  I walked out to meet Karen on the beach while our friends Elaine and Marife serenaded our small group of eleven with their ukuleles, which added to the ambiance and intimacy.  Following the ceremony, Karen and I hit the beach with Krista to take advantage of the breathless scenery surrounding us.  The sun peaked out just in time for our photos while the rest of the group relaxed and started preparations for our dinner. Here are some of the amazing highlights from our special day.  It was a day I will never forget.

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An amazing BBQ dinner was cooked up by the guys while our photos were being taken on the beach.  The menu included grilled fresh salmon with mango chutney, filet mignon,  baked potatoes, and caesar salad.  The ladies pitched in to help create the beautiful beach inspired table setting with some DIY details I put together before the wedding. My sister Ashleigh surprised us with a little wedding cake, which she and her boyfriend Hayden sourced out from the Wickaninnish Inn down the road (they were kind enough to give her the top of a cake they had prepared for another wedding, happening the next day, knowing they had time to replace it.  Thank you Wickaninnish Inn!).  Extra flowers were used to adorn the chocolate mousse cake which helped tie it in with our other details.  Everything came together so beautifully and so perfectly, we couldn’t have planned it any better if we did it months ahead of time.  Then, just prior to dinner, Karen and I had a HUGE announcement to make…a secret we had been holding for three and a half months…

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After dinner, we all changed into more comfortable clothes for a group outing on the beach.  We walked, we laughed, and we wrote messages in the sand.  Collectively we watched the sun set over the ocean as the tide rolled in on this most amazing wedding day.  To our wonderful family and friends who unfortunately were not present with us, we thank you for your continued love and support and we wish we could have shared this day with you all.

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Another special thanks to all those who helped make this day so special.

Firstly, Krista, my Verve Photo Co. business partner and friend, for her amazing photography,  and for helping to make my vision a photographic reality!  Heather of Heather’s The Flower Shop for her beautiful artistic floral design, and for going above and beyond all expectation!  Jessica of Salty Dolls for making me feel beautiful with her hair and makeup services.  Our Wedding Officiant Gael Duchene for performing our beautiful beach wedding ceremony.Snippet and Ink: Daily Wedding Inspiration for featuring my wedding on their fabulous blog.  And lastly the Wickaninnish Inn for the most delicious wedding cake I have ever tasted!

January 14, 2011 - 9:05 am

Kawania (Kay) Wooten - It looks like you had an amazing day! Everything was filled with so many blessings.

Congratulations.

Love and Soul Always, Kay

January 14, 2011 - 9:38 am

PJ - The love comes pouring out of the photographs! Gorgeous and soul-filled!

January 14, 2011 - 10:49 am

Margaret Van Damme - I love your wedding. I caught it on Snippet and Ink this morning. These photographs are beautiful and your day is a perfect example of how a small intimate wedding can be (and is) Stunning, Congratulations!

January 14, 2011 - 10:52 am

Patty Ruggiero - I still weep every time I see the photos. Seriously guys, so incredibly happy for you all!!! Looking forward to seeing the baby soon!!

January 14, 2011 - 11:54 am

Katie W - Congratulations Karen and Melanie! Your wedding was beautiful and I hope someday I have one as playful and special! Good luck and best of health for all three of you!

January 14, 2011 - 1:53 pm

Celia - beautiful!!!! I love love love these photos – the details are amazing. I can’t believe you put everything together in only a few days! Most of all though is the sense of joy and love that comes through in these images.

January 14, 2011 - 5:38 pm

Jessica - Beautiful!!

January 14, 2011 - 8:22 pm

Jessica Wong - You both look so brilliant and shiny and amazing! A wonderful wedding and such marvelous images, as always! LOVE it all!

January 19, 2011 - 12:47 am

auntie kathy - Dear Mel and Karen: Of all the pictures posted, the last one in the sand “Karen Melanie + Baby makes me cry. I love both of you VERY MUCH, and look forward to being a great aunt soon> Love Auntie Kathy and Uncle Gary. XOXOXOXO

January 21, 2011 - 11:50 am

Ashlee Vennettilli-Locke - CONGRATS!!! You’re wedding was beautiful, you two look so happy and in love!

January 22, 2011 - 11:35 am

Willow Bond - Well, i’m quite sure i’ve never seen such beauty, the setting, scenery…joy, love and happiness. Every photo holds so much.
Love to all…a wish for every blessing…to you and your little one to be…all the days~

January 23, 2011 - 2:42 pm

Janette - Congratulations Melanie & Karen!!!! I am so happy for you both – the wedding looked beautiful, you both looked amazing & of course, the pictures turned out to be jaw-dropping (as usual)!

Another congrats is deserved for the new addition to-be! I can’t wait to see a photo shoot with the little one – I’ll keep checking in for it 🙂

January 24, 2011 - 9:39 am

Melanie & Karen - Thank you everyone for your wonderful comments and wishes! We are truly blessed with amazing family, friends and clients. We are looking forward to the arrival of our little one in the next 2 months and photos will definitely follow soon!

January 26, 2011 - 3:05 pm

Jackie - Absolutely amazing! Congrats Melanie! Love your green dress!

February 2, 2011 - 4:41 pm

Emilie - Double Congratulation Mel & Karen!! Thank you for sharing your wedding and such beautiful pictures. We wish you all the best.
love Emilie&Matthew

February 14, 2011 - 3:01 pm

melia - Wow! Double congratulations!! What a beautiful day it must have been.

March 6, 2011 - 2:04 am

Nazar Melconian - The news and photographs ALL made me smile…very happy for you THREE!!!!!!!! Congratulations!!!!!

NAZ

March 18, 2011 - 5:17 am

Vancouver wedding photographer Tamea Burd - What a beautiful day you had! Tofino is so wonderful and these lovely photos show so clearly that your wedding was all about sharing, appreciation, the simple things, and of course, lots of love!

April 6, 2011 - 11:39 am

Michelle & Sandro - Congratulations!! Beautiful pictures:) Wishing you all the best! xo

December 6, 2011 - 6:41 pm

T - Beautiful. Would love to do something similar. Can you tell me which beach house you used?

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