Tristan and Julie had the most spectacular wedding this past July at Cherry Creek Estate nestled in the Rocky Mountains in Cranbrook BC.

The weekend started off with a bit of panic. Due to a HUGE accident on the highway, I came within minutes of missing my plane. MINUTES. I RAN. Didn’t have time to check my bag, and was the last person to board. But I made it.

My amazing second shooter for the wedding, Stephanie, picked me up at the airport, and we headed out for a brief tour of Cranbrook. I instantly fell in love.

We headed to Tristan’s parents house for the rehearsal dinner, and never before in my life have I felt more welcomed by strangers. There were hugs, and laughs and story sharing. It was amazing. They included us in the meal prep which was one of the most unique and fun methods I have EVER seen! They cooked an entire dinner in old fashioned milk tins! They loaded it up with potatoes, carrots, turnips, onions, corn and sausage, hammered the lids on, lifted them up over a burner and let them steam while the family relaxed around the backyard. It was one of the most amazing meals I have ever had!

The next day we headed out to Cherry Creek Estate. This by far, may be, one of my most favourite weddings ever!! Tristan and Julie are both adventurous and sentimental and I loved connecting with them on both those aspects! Tristan and Julie did something so remarkable! They planned their ENTIRE wedding from China. They moved there two years ago to teach English, and made the decision to go within a few days, and left a few days after that. Listening to their stories, and reading their blog over the course of their time there, it was an adventure!

Tristan’s reaction when he saw Julie walking down the aisle towards him is by far the most emotional, and moving reactions I have ever witnessed. Tears rolled down his face and he just kept saying WOW over and over again. Not gonna lie I was a teary mess behind my camera! The emotion between these two as they said their vows was amazing to see!

Listening to the speeches from their parents was the most touching part of the day for me. Tristan’s Dad said something that stuck with me so much. He believes that a persons life is a compilation of moments where you connect with other people. And every relationship you have, builds you into the person you are…makes your life what it is. He then thanked everyone at the wedding for having such an important part in helping Tristan and Julie build their lives. I loved that. I so strongly believe that too and it was obvious by everyone we met at the wedding and got the chance to talk to, they had surrounded themselves with people filled with SO MUCH LOVE.

I could go on and on for many more paragraphs about how much this wedding meant to me! Having known Julie and Tristan since college, and then getting to share in this special day with them was beyond amazing. THANK YOU so much for including me, for flying me up there to be a part of it, for making us feel SO welcome, and for taking us on an adventure with you! I will never forget it!

Love you guys so much!

After their ceremony, one of the owners of Cherry Creek loaded us up in his truck and took us to the first of the photo locations. An abandoned ranch sitting on just over 350 acres, overlooking the Rocky Mountains. To say I was in heaven would be an understatement. I had to take a moment just to stop, slowly spin around with my mouth slightly open and take it all in. I believe I said at numerous points during the day “how is this real life?!”

From there we headed up to the second spot. A small hill in the back of Cherry Creek’s property that overlooks the valley below, the Rocky Mountains, the forest and just everything amazing you could possibly imagine. I still have no words to explain how gorgeous and peaceful it was to be out there. I dream to live in a house one day with this view.

They decorated their reception with lanterns they bought in Bali while travelling there, their wine box was made of wood from Julie’s parents barn, the wooden frames were from Tristan’s Grandparents first house in Saskatoon, the tea was from a student of Tristan’s while they were both teaching in China and their guest book was a photobook of their years of adventures.

Tristan broke down at the end of his Dad’s speech, when he grabbed his guitar and his Mom and brother sang a song about finally having a girl in the family and how much it meant to them to be able to welcome Julie into their family. I don’t think there was a dry eye in the hall. 

 

Comments

comments