Keats Island Wedding from Pollen Floral Design
I was lucky enough to grow up just a three-hour drive south of the Canadian border; a hop, skip and a jump away from one of the world's most beautiful countries and a distance I took full advantage of with road trips to Alberta on a regular basis. Needless to say, I fell head over heels with all things Canada, and could imagine saying "I do" there in a heartbeat. So when I read that this darling duo chose to venture north for a spectacular Keats Island affair, I jumped on board wholeheartedly. Because what's better than a magical day filled with beautiful blooms from Pollen Floral Design and a whole lot of breathtaking BC scenery? Absolutely nothing. See so much more captured by Parker Fitzgerald and James Fitzgerald in the full gallery. It's amazing.
From the Bride... Luke and I met at Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA standing in line for our computers on the first day of school. I am from Portland, OR, a singer/songwriter, he is from Meridian, ID, a fiddle and guitar player. We became close friends and later in the first semester he asked me out in a teeny tiny practice room (very music school). Five years of dating later, on January 2, 2012, he asked me to be his wife, and I said yes! Now we play music together in our band, DEAN.
We got married on Keats Island in BC, Canada at a camp and retreat center called Barnabas Family Ministires. It’s the most beautiful little island in the Howe Sound. It was a weekend wedding celebration over Labor Day 2012. The actual wedding day was Sunday, September 2nd. People always ask us “Why Canada?” I grew up going to camp there starting at 6-years-old and Luke and I worked on staff together over a summer in 2008. It’s a truly magical place and having our closest friends and family stay with us there all weekend to celebrate was incredible! Everyone keeps asking me when we can all go back together!
Our absolute favorite band, Lake Street Dive, came to the island and played, we felt pretty darn lucky. Also, Jesse Harper, another friend and amazing musician came and played also. Luke and three of the the groomsman are in a band together called The Nandertys feat. Tiny Beats (which is Luke’s drummer name because he plays a children’s drum set). And, true to ourselves Luke sang a song to me “Higher and Higher” and I sang one to him at the reception. He surprised me with “Your Love Keeps Liftin’ Me” and I sang “Be My Baby” to him. We also had some of Luke’s friends he grew up with at fiddle contests play fiddle music for us!
Being sung down the aisle to by all the attendants was the most magical and emotional moment. I will never forget it – when I finally turned the corner to the aisle and saw him for the first time that day. We didn’t do a first look, so that was our first time seeing each other. Also, we impromptu sang “O when the saints go marching in” with all our attendants on the way down a long gravel pathway to the boat doc where we were doing a sparkler send off. That was pretty darn magical. It was like a mini parade.
The wedding dinner and dancing at the reception comes a close third place, eating, drinking and dancing outdoors with all our favorite people was really incredible. Serving the salad course to our guests alongside Luke and the bridal party at dinner was another one of my favorite moments. You think the bride and groom are the honored guests at the wedding but really it was them who made the day for us, serving them was so special.
Enjoy planning your wedding together – keep it SIMPLE and STRESS FREE! Have a wedding weekend, the time you get to spend with loved ones is worth every penny.
Wedding Photography: Parker Fitzgerald + James Fitzgerald | Floral Design: Pollen Floral Design | Catering: Chef Ruth Blake from Barnabas on Keats Island | Music: Lake Street Dive + Jesse Harper + The Nanderty's + DEAN (The Bride & Groom) | Wedding Venue: Barnabas Family Ministries in Keats Island, British Columbia, Canada | Wedding Dress: Tara Keely via Marcella's La Boutique in Seattle, WA (Straps Added) | Wedding Veil: Custom by Tiffani Saxton Designs | Brides Shoes: Kate Spade | Groomsmen's Suits: Zara | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Their Own | Groom's Suit: Custom by Duchess
We got married on Keats Island in BC, Canada at a camp and retreat center called Barnabas Family Ministires. It’s the most beautiful little island in the Howe Sound. It was a weekend wedding celebration over Labor Day 2012. The actual wedding day was Sunday, September 2nd. People always ask us “Why Canada?” I grew up going to camp there starting at 6-years-old and Luke and I worked on staff together over a summer in 2008. It’s a truly magical place and having our closest friends and family stay with us there all weekend to celebrate was incredible! Everyone keeps asking me when we can all go back together!
Our absolute favorite band, Lake Street Dive, came to the island and played, we felt pretty darn lucky. Also, Jesse Harper, another friend and amazing musician came and played also. Luke and three of the the groomsman are in a band together called The Nandertys feat. Tiny Beats (which is Luke’s drummer name because he plays a children’s drum set). And, true to ourselves Luke sang a song to me “Higher and Higher” and I sang one to him at the reception. He surprised me with “Your Love Keeps Liftin’ Me” and I sang “Be My Baby” to him. We also had some of Luke’s friends he grew up with at fiddle contests play fiddle music for us!
Being sung down the aisle to by all the attendants was the most magical and emotional moment. I will never forget it – when I finally turned the corner to the aisle and saw him for the first time that day. We didn’t do a first look, so that was our first time seeing each other. Also, we impromptu sang “O when the saints go marching in” with all our attendants on the way down a long gravel pathway to the boat doc where we were doing a sparkler send off. That was pretty darn magical. It was like a mini parade.
The wedding dinner and dancing at the reception comes a close third place, eating, drinking and dancing outdoors with all our favorite people was really incredible. Serving the salad course to our guests alongside Luke and the bridal party at dinner was another one of my favorite moments. You think the bride and groom are the honored guests at the wedding but really it was them who made the day for us, serving them was so special.
Enjoy planning your wedding together – keep it SIMPLE and STRESS FREE! Have a wedding weekend, the time you get to spend with loved ones is worth every penny.
Wedding Photography: Parker Fitzgerald + James Fitzgerald | Floral Design: Pollen Floral Design | Catering: Chef Ruth Blake from Barnabas on Keats Island | Music: Lake Street Dive + Jesse Harper + The Nanderty's + DEAN (The Bride & Groom) | Wedding Venue: Barnabas Family Ministries in Keats Island, British Columbia, Canada | Wedding Dress: Tara Keely via Marcella's La Boutique in Seattle, WA (Straps Added) | Wedding Veil: Custom by Tiffani Saxton Designs | Brides Shoes: Kate Spade | Groomsmen's Suits: Zara | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Their Own | Groom's Suit: Custom by Duchess