Zoey and Nate’s intimate wedding at Rockwater Secret Cove Resort felt like a slow exhale. Tucked along the coastline of the Sunshine Coast, their day unfolded without pressure or strict timelines, leaving space for emotion, laughter, and the people they love most (including their dog Dude! And yes, how adorable is that name!!)

Documented with a blend of digital and 35mm film photography, their wedding was filled with emotional moments, editorial inspired portraits, and the kind of fun, relaxed energy that makes intimate weddings so meaningful to photograph.

A Relaxed Wedding Weekend on the Sunshine Coast

One of my favourite parts about photographing weddings at Rockwater Secret Cove Resort is that it truly feels like a getaway experience rather than just a venue. I stayed at the resort for two nights with my gal pal pup Rue, and from the moment we arrived, the entire property felt calm, welcoming, and tucked away from the noise of everyday life. Between the treetop style accommodations, oceanfront views, poolside afternoons, and incredible food from the on site restaurant, it created the perfect atmosphere for a slow and intentional wedding weekend on the Sunshine Coast.

The staff at Rockwater were incredibly kind and helpful throughout the entire experience, and every part of the property felt thoughtfully designed to embrace the natural beauty surrounding it.

From a Freezing Cold Engagement Session to Their Wedding Day

What made this wedding even more special to document was the history we already shared together. I first met Zoey and Nate two years earlier after they reached out to me through a model call I had posted on Instagram. We ended up photographing their engagement session during a freezing cold February sunrise, and despite barely being able to feel our hands by the end of it, we instantly connected.

Fast forward two years later, and getting invited to photograph their intimate wedding weekend on the Sunshine Coast felt incredibly meaningful. By the time the wedding day arrived, it genuinely felt like spending the weekend with old friends.

Private Vows on the Rocks at Sunrise

Before the wedding day officially began, Zoey and Nate exchanged private vows together along the rocky shoreline with their dog, Dude, by their side. They wore casual clothes that felt comfortable and true to who they are, and in the morning light overlooking the ocean, they read handwritten vows to each other while tears streamed down both of their faces. It was hard holding back my own.

It was emotional in the most grounded and honest way. No audience, no pressure. Just the two of them with Dude, the sound of crashing waves, and one of the most meaningful parts of the entire weekend.

Moments like these are a huge part of why I love intimate weddings so much. There’s room to slow down and actually experience what the day feels like instead of rushing from one moment to the next.

Why I Love Intimate Weddings

There was something so incredibly refreshing about the pace of Zoey and Nate’s wedding day. Nothing felt rushed or overly structured. There were no impossible timelines or pressure to fit everything into a perfectly curated schedule. Instead, the day unfolded naturally, leaving room for rest, connection, laughter, and genuine moments with the people they love most.

Intimate weddings allow couples to focus on what actually matters to them. Whether that’s spending extra time with family, reading private vows together at sunrise, bringing their dog along for the entire day, or simply being fully present with each other, smaller weddings create space for experiences that feel personal and intentional.

As a film-focused documentary wedding photographer, those are always the moments I’m most drawn to capturing.

A Coastal Ceremony Overlooking the Water

Later that afternoon, guests gathered on the oceanfront sundeck overlooking the coastline for the ceremony. The weather literally could not have been more perfect, with sunshine coming across the water and the most beautiful coastal backdrop surrounding everyone.

The ceremony itself felt vibrant and genuinely fun. Everyone was laughing, and one of the most memorable moments was Dude peacefully sleeping directly on the train of Zoey’s dress throughout the entirety of the ceremony while guests quietly tried not to laugh watching him make himself comfortable.

It was one of those perfectly imperfect moments that made the day feel even more like them.

Film, Flash, and Editorial Portraits

Throughout the wedding day, we leaned into a mix of documentary moments and more editorial inspired portraits. The decor inside the reception space was minimal but elegant, filled with vibrant green tones, fruit details, vintage frames, and a beautifully styled vintage couch that became the perfect backdrop for some playful flash photography later in the afternoon.

We experimented a lot creatively during portraits, incorporating direct flash, movement, film photography, and playful posing that felt more inspired by fashion editorials than traditional wedding portraits. At one point, Zoey and Nate were upside down on the couch with their feet on the wall laughing hysterically while I photographed everything. I’m pretty sure Nate was starting to feel the blood rushing to his head but it was all worth it in the end ha!

That balance of artful direction and honest connection is such a huge part of the way I photograph weddings. I love blending editorial inspired posing with documentary style storytelling so nothing ever feels too stiff or overly traditional. My approach leaves space for movement, personality, and real moments to unfold naturally while still creating imagery that feels intentional, elevated, and like a piece of art you’d hang on the wall.

Cocktail Hour, Margaritas, and Time with Family

One of my favourite decisions Zoe and Nate made throughout the day was choosing to fully stay present during cocktail hour rather than disappearing for more portraits. Originally, we had talked about using that portion of the evening for additional photographs, but as the day shifted, we decided that gathering on the patio with the people they love most was the best thing they could do, and honestly, I’ll forever be an advocate for that choice.

Cocktail hour was spent out on the patio with margaritas, short speeches, and everyone mingling together while the sun set through the trees overhead. People moved between tables and conversations, laughing with each other, sticking little temporary Zoe and Nate tattoos onto themselves, and taking photos together while the evening slowly unfolded.

It felt warm, genuine, slightly unfiltered in the best possible way, and deeply reflective of the kind of atmosphere Zoe and Nate had intentionally created throughout the entire weekend.

Moments like these are such a huge reminder that some of the most meaningful parts of a wedding day happen in the in between spaces when couples simply allow themselves to be fully present with the people surrounding them.

Sunset Portraits Along the Coast

As the evening came to a close, I took Zoey and Nate down to the water for sunset portraits along the coast. The entire shoreline was glowing gold, and the warm ocean air made everything feel calm and cinematic in the best way possible. I could not get over how perfect the weather was for us.

We wandered across the rocks, through the trees, and along the boardwalk while the two of them laughed together the entire time.

These portraits ended up becoming some of my favourites from the entire wedding weekend because nothing about them felt forced. It simply felt like documenting two people completely at ease with each other. The love that the two of them shared was truly something else. Something to be inspired by and feel safe with.

Towards the end of our portraits Nate wanted to dip Zoey into a kiss and when he did, the strap of her dress broke off and it just added to the beautiful imperfectness of their day. We joked that Zoey had been going hard at the gym lifting weights and her back muscles just couldn’t be contained 😉

The Kind of Wedding Weekend You Never Want to End

Although I was originally booked for only a few hours of coverage, I ended up staying for nearly seven because the entire day unfolded so naturally and we were simply having such a great time together. Even after coverage ended, I found myself gathered around the fire later that evening with Zoey, Nate, and their friends listening to stories about growing up in Golden, BC and all the chaos and adventures that shaped who they are today.

By the end of the weekend, it felt like I had been invited into something much bigger than simply documenting a wedding day. It felt honest, deeply personal, and full of the kinds of moments I’ll always remember long after the photographs are delivered.

Thank you, Zoey and Nate, for trusting me with these memories, for welcoming me in like a friend, and for creating such a relaxed and meaningful weekend to be part of. I’ll truly never forget it.

Sunshine Coast Wedding Vendors

Venue: Rockwater Secret Cove
Photography: Rae Terrillon Photo
Catering: TuBird Restaurant

Hiring Your Rockwater Secret Cove Wedding Film Photographer

If you’re dreaming of an intimate wedding at Rockwater Secret Cove Resort or somewhere along the Sunshine Coast, I’d absolutely love to be considered to document it. Whether your day looks like private vows on the rocks at sunrise, a relaxed evening sharing margaritas with your favourite people, or dancing barefoot under the coastal sunset, I’m always drawn to documenting weddings that feel honest, intentional, and deeply personal. I document weddings with an artful, documentary approach using a blend of digital and 35mm film photography, capturing your day in a way that feels nostalgic and true to the experience itself. You can explore my wedding and elopement packages here, and if it feels like we’d be a good fit, you can reach out to me here. I can’t wait to hear all about what you’re planning on the Sunshine Coast!