Celebrating Love at HMSC Discovery Naval Reserve: Chris and Jake's Beautiful Wedding at Stanley Park

Love knows no bounds and it was evident in every moment of Chris and Jake's wedding at HMSC Discovery Naval Reserve on Stanley Park. This couple chose a stunning location to exchange their vows, amidst the tranquil beauty of Vancouver's largest natural park, Stanley Park. Capturing the essence of this wedding was a real privilege for me. From the "getting ready" photos at the Delta hotel downtown Vancouver to the magical sunset ceremony and reception at HMSC Discovery, every moment was filled with joy, laughter, and heartfelt emotions. I'm so excited to share the highlights of this beautiful wedding with you!

The preparations for the big day began at the Delta hotel in downtown Vancouver where Chris and Jake got ready with their closest friends. Both guys looked oh so handsome (just check out the photos!). I captured incredible moments of laughter, fun conversations, and excited moments between the two wedding parties.

Once the preparations were complete, we moved to Stanley Park for the ceremony and reception. As we walked through the Westcoast surroundings, the stunning HMSC Discovery Naval Reserve came into view.

Chris and Jake's ceremony at HMSC Discovery was a beautiful reflection of their love for each other. Surrounded by loved ones and nature, these two exchanged heartfelt vows that were teeming with love. So much love and joy between the family and friends as they witnessed the union of these two.

After the ceremony, we moved to the reception area, which was strategically placed to give a magnificent view of the city. The decors, the flowers, the speeches, and the music all combined to create an ambiance that was fitting for such a joyous occasion. There were tears of joy and emotion, laughter, and heartfelt embraces. Chris and Jake's wedding was indeed a celebration of love in its purest form, and every detail was meticulously planned to create a memorable experience.

As the sun set behind the Vancouver skyline, we captured some stunning photographs of the couple, with Downtown Vancouver in the background.

At the end of the day, Chris and Jake's wedding was truly an unforgettable experience, one that I'll will always cherish. The wedding was a testament to the fact that love knows no boundaries and that it can be celebrated in many ways. Celebrate your love, make it magical, and most importantly, make it your own. Thank you, Chris and Jake, for giving me the opportunity to capture your special moments!

Lindsay + Nick Helicopter Elopement | Sky Helicopter, Pitt Meadows

This elopement was one for the books for me as a photographer. It seriously doesn’t get any better than this! An epic elopement plan, a bride and groom so in love and a officiant and big brother who are just the best and made the day super memorable.

I got the call from Lindsay about a month before her elopement asking if I could photograph her big day. Her big wedding, like many others, had been cancelled due to Covid-19. She explained her plan to me; a helicopter would take her and Nick to the West Coast mountain tops to become man and wife! I immediately cleared my schedule to be available for her, this was an opportunity I couldn’t turn down.

I arrived at Sky Helicopter in Pitt Meadows early to check in, be weighed and wait for the limo that was bringing the wedding party which included the bride, groom, officiant and the brides brother, Brad. Lindsay looked gorgeous. Like, super super pretty, just look at the photos, you’ll see what I mean! We killed time waiting for the helicopter by taking photos in the lobby, which had super pretty lighting, not something I was expecting from a helicopter waiting room. The excitement was high when we all got on the helicopter; for most people it was their first time. When the helicopter took off it felt like you're in the eye of a bug soaring around. So weightless and free. The genuine expressions of awe made for beautiful photos. It was a beautiful ride to our location as we saw all of Vancouver’s Lower Mainland; the valley, waterfalls and untouched lakes. So much beauty at our doorstep. The location of the elopement was unknown to all of us as they would land wherever the weather allowed. Lucky for us, we had a sunny summer day so landing in a beautiful spot was no problem. As a wedding photographer, I’m very planned on my wedding days. I always check out the venue, find the best lighting and make a mental ‘game plan’ prior to the big day. This wedding however, I totally had to wing EVERYTHING. I ran out before the wedding party to check out the best spots and everywhere I turned it was just one beautiful backdrop after the other - perfect.

Lindsay and Nick were officiated by one of their best friends from the mountain tops with the world below them. During the ceremony and vows there were so many heartfelt words said and special moments. Words can’t describe, but take a look at the pictures and you’ll get a sense of how much love and laughter was going on.

We had just finished the officiation and we were told it was our 10 minute warning to get back to the helicopter already. Time had just flown. We had time left for a quick pop of champagne, a handful of photos and we were heading back to the helicopter with Lindsay as husband and wife!

Thank you L + N for inviting me on your helicopter elopement. It was amazing to be a part of your most special day.

xo P