It was a hot August Saturday when I pulled into The Stables in Saanich for Bri and Jesse’s wedding. I arrived a little early, before most of the guests, which gave me some time to wander around the property and photograph everything before the day really got going.

The Stables is a beautiful farm venue on the Saanich Peninsula with two large barn spaces, an outdoor courtyard and fields surrounding the property. Bri and Jesse had their ceremony set up outside between the barns, with their reception tucked inside under string lights, colourful florals and long draping from the beams above. Chickens, goats and horses were hanging around nearby and it felt very Vancouver Island.

I spent that first little while photographing all the pieces they had put together for the day before guests started filling the courtyard. The flowers, tables, ceremony space, little details and all the things that probably took months to plan, sitting there untouched before everything began.

An Emotional Outdoor Ceremony at The Stables

We moved pretty quickly into the ceremony, and this was where the tears started. And they really did not stop.

Bri walked down the aisle with her two brothers, which was such an emotional way to begin the ceremony. Jesse’s daughter was their flower girl and a really special part of the day too. Their vows talked so much about finding each other, becoming a family and the relationship Bri and Jesse’s daughter have built together. There were a lot of tears from pretty much everyone watching.

Their vows were incredibly personal and raw, with a lot of laughing mixed in between the tears. Polaroids have also been a little ongoing piece of Bri and Jesse’s relationship, which I loved knowing going into the day because I had my own Polaroid camera with me and was able to add a few more to their collection throughout the wedding.

Wedding Portraits Around the Stables

After the ceremony we moved into family photos and wedding party portraits before heading farther out onto the property. There is a huge open field behind The Stables that gave us lots of room to get away from everyone for Bri and Jesse’s portraits.

It was HOT. Like sweating through our clothes and everyone wondering when I was finally going to stop taking photos kinda hot. I know guys. I’m annoying. Almost done.

We played around with the parasols, took advantage of all the colour from their florals and eventually let everyone escape back to the shade. I kept Bri and Jesse for a little longer before we headed back toward the reception to catch the tail end of cocktail hour.

A Colourful Barn Reception

By the time we got back, everyone had settled into cocktail hour with drinks in hand and people spread out around the courtyard. Inside the barn, the tables were filled with pinks and yellows, flowers and little pops of colour underneath the string lights hanging from the beams. The barn itself still has all of the character of an old farm building, but everything Bri and Jesse brought into it made it feel colourful and elevated without losing that.

Once everyone was seated, the speeches started. And I don’t think there was a dry eye in the room. Every person who stood up seemed to make Bri cry all over again, followed almost immediately by everyone laughing at something else. There was so much history in that room and so many people who clearly love these two.

Golden Hour Portraits and a Well Earned Breather

After speeches and a big group photo outside, I stole Bri and Jesse away one more time.

By then the temperature had finally dropped a little and the light across the field was completely different from when we had been out there earlier. More than anything, I think we all needed a few minutes away from the noise.

We wandered out into the field, took some photos and chatted for a bit. There is so much happening around you on a wedding day and so many people wanting your attention that getting pulled away for portraits can actually be a nice excuse to disappear together for a few minutes. This time felt less about getting a specific set of photos and more about giving Bri and Jesse a second to check in with each other before heading back into the party.

First Dances and a Packed Dance floor

Back inside, we moved into cake cutting and first dances. Bri and Jesse had their dance together, Jesse danced with his daughter (to “Daughters” by John Mayer – ugh my heart) and then with his mom, and Bri shared an emotional dance with her brothers. Which, yes, meant more tears.

And then the dance floor opened up! Everyone was ready for it. The barn went from emotional speeches and sweet dances to a packed dance floor pretty quickly, and I stayed for the beginning of the party before my coverage wrapped for the night.

Before leaving, I pulled Bri and Jesse aside and showed them the Polaroids I had taken throughout the day. Knowing that Polaroids already had a place in their relationship made getting to hand them a few physical photographs from their wedding day right then and there extra special.

I packed up my cameras, said my goodbyes and left The Stables feeling very full after this one. Bri and Jesse made me feel less like someone they had hired to photograph their wedding and more like a friend who happened to have a bunch of cameras with her (honestly too many). It was colourful, emotional, hilarious and very, very them.

Vendor Love

A big thank you to all of the wonderful people who helped bring Bri and Jesse’s day together.

Venue + Decor: The Stables
Day of Coordinator: Micki Darling
Florals: The Blushing Peony
Officiant: Susan Burns
DJ: Jade Nixon
Hair: Marlee Clarke
Makeup: Amy Broere
Rentals: Pedersons
Catering: Island Culinary Services
Photography: Rae Terrillon Photography

Planning a Wedding on Vancouver Island

Planning a wedding at The Stables or somewhere else on Vancouver Island and love the look and feeling of film? I photograph weddings entirely on film, using a mix of 35mm and medium format to document the day as it actually unfolds.

You can take a look through my Wedding Collections here or get in touch here and tell me everything you’re dreaming up!

x Rae