Okay, I’ll admit I’m probably a little biased here… my husband Marc and I got married the same way… but I am fully convinced that a wedding weekend is just it. There’s something that happens when you gather your favourite people in one place and actually give everyone time to breathe. No rushing and no where to be. Just people settling in, connecting, and genuinely enjoying each other. It’s sooo so good.

That’s exactly what Alanne and Tariq wanted. Living in Calgary, they knew they wanted a coastal escape, somewhere their people could land, stay put for a few days, and actually be present for the whole thing. So, a full Galiano Island wedding weekend was what they knew they needed.

They explored venues all over Southern Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands before falling hard for Galiano Oceanfront Inn & Spa. Right on the water, steps from the ferry terminal, with onsite accommodations, incredible food, and enough space to basically turn an entire resort into their own little world for the weekend. It checked every box.

I got to the island the day before the wedding and immediately understood why they chose here to celebrate. The pace just slows down the second you step off the ferry (such a Gulf Islands thing) and everything you could possibly need is all right there. The bakery, the pizza spot, the bookstore, the beach, the dock. By the time the wedding day actually arrived, it didn’t feel like I was there to photograph a wedding. It felt like I’d been welcomed into a little community for the weekend.

Alanne & Tariq’s wedding was documented on digital, 35mm film, medium format film, Polaroids, and Super 8. It’s one of my favourite weddings I’ve ever had the privilege of capturing, and I think you’re about to see why.

Getting Ready with Their Favourite People

Wedding mornings have their own kind of energy and this one was no exception.

Over at Tariq’s villa, the guys had spent the morning golfing and were well into celebratory-drinks-on-the-patio mode by the time I arrived. Relaxed, happy, soaking the day in.

A few doors down, Alanne and her bridal party were wrapping up hair and makeup with that same easy, fun energy, the kind you just know is going to carry through the whole day. There were sweet moments with her mom, a first look with her dad, and indeed, some strategic bicep curls to make sure she was ready for the strapless dress she was wearing from Khya Bridal (priorities).

And then we can’t forget about Sally, their golden. She wasn’t at the ceremony but she was everywhere else. Popping up during getting ready, making an appearance in portraits, and showing up in the sweetest little details throughout the day. Even custom cocktail napkins with her face on them. It was so obvious how loved she is, and I was obsessed with every second of it.

---

Some medium format portraits that I am truly obsessed with (I mean, Alanne makes my job way too easy)
Medium format hits different <3

An Oceanfront Ceremony at Galiano Oceanfront Inn & Spa

The ceremony space at Galiano Oceanfront Inn & Spa sits right on the water with Mount Baker off in the distance, and I genuinely had to keep pinching myself that we live in this glorious place and that this is my job!

Rather than going the traditional route, Alanne and Tariq wrote personal vows full of inside jokes, real promises, and so much laughter. One second guests were wiping tears, the next everyone was cracking up (especially over the biceps). It was exactly them which was deeply connected, endlessly fun, completely real.

Portraits, Cocktails, and a Surprise Room Service Snack

After the ceremony we moved into family photos, wedding party shots, and couples portraits while guests headed to cocktail hour. The property gave us so much to work with: ocean views, mature trees, gardens, rocky shoreline. Every direction was a new backdrop.

And then the most wholesome thing happened…

We were in the middle of couples photos when Meg and her team from Sit Pretty Events appeared out of nowhere carrying a silver serving tray with those little dome covers on it. Very room service vibes?? Alanne and Tariq had zero idea what was happening. They lifted the lids and…. chicken wings, fries, onion rings. Get real.

I cannot explain how funny and perfect this was. Keeping the newlyweds fed and actually happy during portrait time? Most underrated wedding day move. Meg and her team were absolutely essential all day long.

Documented on Film, Super 8, and Polaroids

This wedding was a particularly meaningful one for me to document because of the formats we got to work across together.

Throughout the day I was shooting digital alongside 35mm film, medium format film, Polaroids, and Super 8. Each one brings something completely different to the story. Medium format has this softness and depth that just feels like forever. 35mm catches the real, imperfect, candid moments, the ones that end up being your favourites ten years from now. Polaroids are instant little keepsakes. And Super 8 does something that still images simply can’t: it adds movement and nostalgia and feeling.

For a wedding as intentional and experience-forward as this one, shooting across all of these formats felt completely right.

A Sunset by the Water and a Celebration to Remember

As the evening got going, guests gathered on the lawn overlooking the ocean for dinner with incredible food, heartfelt speeches, and fun conversation.

The reception design by Meg and her team was so beautiful, with soft blue florals from Gossip Floral that felt like they just belonged there against the water. Elegant, but never stiff.

As the sun started to go down we snuck away to the rocky shoreline below the resort for one last round of portraits. Editorial, romantic, and effortless (well mostly effortless, right Tariq? :).

Cake Cutting, Dancing, and the Perfect Ending

Before we headed inside, there was cake to cut, and this one deserves a shoutout. It was topped with two little geese, probably the cutest wedding cake I’ve ever seen!!!! There was dancing on the lawn, speeches, and just the most energetic, genuine energy that made me never want the night to end.

After cake cutting and their first dance, everyone moved inside and OK Charlie (a band Alanne and Tariq had literally found on Spotify) absolutely took over. The dance floor filled up immediately and didn’t empty for the rest of the night. People were singing at the top of their lungs, jumping, stomping, packed shoulder to shoulder.

At one point Teenage Dirtbag came on. Which, for the record, is my go-to karaoke song, and I will not apologize for that. The whole room erupted, pure chaos in the best way. I genuinely did not want to leave that dance floor.

Later in the evening, pizzas from Babes in the Woods Pizza arrived and it was exactly what everyone needed to keep going. Sally napkins made a second appearance and people grabbed slices between songs.

When I look back on this weekend, what stays with me isn’t one specific photo or moment, it’s the feeling I had, the feeling I think everyone there shared. The way Alanne and Tariq made everyone feel like they were exactly where they were supposed to be. The way the whole weekend felt welcoming and personal and joyful, right down to every last detail.

They also made me feel that way. They welcomed me in with open arms with such warmth and genuinely made me feel like I was treasured there. And that meant more than I can really put into words.

Documenting their Galiano Island wedding was such an honour. And it’s a weekend I won’t ever forget.

Vendor Love

It truly takes an incredible team of vendors to bring a wedding weekend like this together, and Alanne & Tariq were surrounded by some wonderfully talented people.

Meg and her team at Sit Pretty Events were the driving force behind the entire experience. From planning and design to timeline management and all of the behind-the-scenes coordination, they created a day that felt effortless from start to finish. One of the things I loved most was how calm everything felt, even as parts move and plans shifted. They provided space for Alanne & Tariq to be fully present with their people and enjoy every moment. As a photographer, having a planner like Meg on site makes such a difference, and it was a joy getting to work alongside her and her team. I hope we get to work together again in the future :’)

Galiano Oceanfront Inn & Spa was the perfect setting for the celebration. Tucked along the waterfront with stunning ocean views, beautiful accommodations, and incredible dining, it created the ideal backdrop for a relaxed wedding weekend. The venue struck that perfect balance between elevated and welcoming, allowing guests to truly settle in and enjoy their time together on the island.

The florals by Gossip Floral were absolutely stunning and complemented the coastal setting beautifully. Their designs felt organic, intentional, and effortlessly romantic, adding so much texture and beauty throughout the day.

Bespoke Decor helped bring everything together with thoughtful design details that felt elegant without ever feeling overdone. Every element worked seamlessly together to create a space that felt cohesive, welcoming, and true to Alanne & Tariq’s vision.

Ally Lynn Hair & Makeup created a timeless, natural look that perfectly suited the relaxed coastal atmosphere of the day, while Khya Bridal provided a gown that felt modern, effortless, and beautifully aligned with the overall aesthetic.

Guests were treated to live music from OK Charlie, who brought such a fun energy to the celebration (can I hire you for my next celebration please??), and later in the evening everyone gathered around for wood-fired pizza from Babes in the Woods Pizza, which was an absolute hit.

One of my favourite things about photographing weddings on the Gulf Islands is getting to collaborate with such talented and passionate professionals, and this team was no exception. It was a joy documenting this beautiful Galiano Island wedding alongside such an incredible group of vendors.

Venue: Galiano Oceanfront Inn & Spa
Planning & Design: Sit Pretty Events
Florals: Gossip Floral
Decor: Bespoke Decor
Hair & Makeup: Ally Lynn Hair & Makeup
Dress: Khya Bridal
Live Music: OK Charlie
Late Night Snack: Babes in the Woods Pizza
Officiant: Roxanne with Vancouver Officiant

Hiring your Gulf Island Wedding Photographer

One thing you should know about me is just how much I love photographing weddings on the Gulf Islands. There’s something so special about slowing down, gathering your favourite people together, and turning your wedding into a full experience rather than just a single day.

If you’re planning a wedding at the Galiano Oceanfront Inn & Spa, elsewhere on Galiano Island, or anywhere throughout the Gulf Islands, I’d absolutely love to be considered. My approach blends documentary storytelling with 35mm film and Super 8, focusing on the candid, emotional, and beautifully imperfect moments that make your day uniquely yours.

Take a peek at my wedding photography packages here, and if you feel like we’d be a great fit, you can reach out here. I can’t wait to hear what you’re dreaming up!