This couple got it right. They picked a beyond gorgeous venue that needed very little decor. They chose a phenomenal photographer, mk Photography, to capture their day right. And they each married their best friend. That part you can tell from the looks they give each other. The sweet little glances at their newly wed, the meaningful eye contact that only two people in love can have. All I have to say is, good thing mk Photography was on hand to capture those sweet looks, because now they have a full, emotion-filled account of the day. See what I mean in the gallery!
We first met each other in August 2008 on a rock climbing day trip organized by a mutual friend. We small talked a bit, but I don’t think either of us guessed then that we would end up dating each other. We crossed paths again a couple months later when a second rock climbing trip fell through at the last minute. I asked Evan if he instead wanted to go for a hike at Great Falls, just outside of Washington, DC, where we were both living at the time. We had a great time together and pretty much started dating right after that.
At that time, Evan was in the process of applying to graduate schools out west. Only a few months later, when it came time for him to decide which school to enroll in, I had just gotten laid off from my job at an architecture firm and was up for the adventure of moving to a new city. We decided on Vancouver together and in August 2009 packed everything we owned into a Penske truck and drove across and out of the country!
Our relationship has grown so strong since we have been here, and on the first day of spring in 2010, Evan packed a surprise picnic and took me to Lighthouse Park in West Vancouver, where we hiked and picnicked on a rock outcropping just like we did on the day at Great Falls. He proposed there with a gorgeous ring that he designed himself and had made by a local artisan. It was perfect! We watched the sun set over the beautiful Strait of Georgia, which also meant hiking back in the dark (very funny, and a little scary!).
We originally wanted to have a small wedding out here in Vancouver, but realized it would be much easier on our families to have it close to home. We happened to make that decision while we were in Pennsylvania visiting, so in just a day or two, we ran around to look at different venues. Greenville was a no-brainer. It is beautiful and we are both so outdoorsy that we knew we wanted an outdoor wedding.
We couldn’t afford to fly back east again before the wedding, so all the rest of the planning was done from afar. We used vendor recommendations from Greenville to find the rest of our vendors. We asked our Pastor from when we lived in Washington, DC if he would preside at the wedding. He had gotten to know us a bit while we were in DC and was able to add the most wonderful personal touch to our ceremony.
My mom and aunt flew out here to take me wedding dress shopping, which was extremely nice of them! We stuck with only our siblings in our bridal party, and I asked my sisters to pick out their own dresses (they coordinated them on their own) and Evan’s brother wore a suit he already had. Evan and I were fairly laid back about the planning. While as designers we had a general look that we were going for, we had no desire to get caught up in the details.
I think we really understood that it was a day to celebrate our commitment with each other, and our families and friends. Not a work project to be designed or perfected. I think that worked well for us because we had such a great day, even with the record-breaking heat! Everyone was worried about it,except for us. Perhaps living so far away in a rainy cold climate, we were happy for a sweaty hot day surrounded by family and friends!
Bride’s Dress: Paloma Blanca from Isabelle’s Bridal / Brides Hair Flower: Isabella’s Bridal / Shoes: Nine West / Bridesmaids Dresses: Alfred Angelo / Flower girl: Alfred Angelo / Photography: mk Photography