Rebecca & Nick met twelve and a half years ago, in February 2000, at a college formal dance. Rebecca remembers Nick’s “cute accent” and that he was “a good dancer.” Since they starting dating later that year, Rebecca & Nick have graduated college, completed medical school in Vancouver and are now both practicing medicine back home in Ontario. This couple has traveled the world together (Cambodia, British Virgin Islands, Hong Kong, Italy, England) and love adventuring and being outdoors together.

I was thrilled to be returning to the gorgeous Middle Beach Lodge in Tofino for their wedding this past Saturday, August 24, 2013. Rebecca and Nick’s wedding day began with a surfing lesson on Cox Bay with guests. Post-surf, the preparations began. Rebecca went directly to hair and makeup in the bridal suite at Middle Beach Lodge and my camera showed up a few hours later to capture the festivities. I enjoyed Rebecca & Nick’s decision to forego a bridal party (quite popular for smaller weddings or destination weddings) but instead just celebrate with their closest friends, without the formality.

Rebecca had an awesome playlist for the morning, full of favourites like Paula Abdul, Abba and tunes from the Dirty Dancing soundtrack. I was a very big fan. Her girlfriends watched her final hair and makeup touches and helped her into her dress. Concluding with champagne toast!

The First Look took place in the stunning trails surrounding Middle Beach Lodge and these two were so happy to be reunited!

Little signs marked the way down the trail to the beachside ceremony.

Without a doubt, Rebecca and Nick had the longest processional and the shortest ceremony I’ve ever photographed. Quite the combination. Based on my camera’s timestamps, Rebecca and her father, from the guests first sight of her in the forest, to Nick was 4-5 minutes. Their whole ceremony however (from that point onward) was 8 minutes!

After the ceremony and a few more portraits, it was to the patio of Middle Beach Lodge for a toast.

I love this venue. So so much. Middle Beach Lodge, you are too pretty. (Perfectly pretty.)

During portraits, Rebecca twirled in her dress with Nick to see if it was “dance-able.” I asked if they were having a choreographed first dance and Rebecca said, “Oh no. Well, Kind of. We made our own little choreography.” I had no idea what to expect, but it was oh-so-cute. It reminded me of a scene in Grease or Dirty Dancing… in the sense that these two mouthed the words to the song and “played along” with actions as if they were in a musical.  The three twirling photos below? Notice Nick’s right hand. He grabbed a beer from his friend and drank a few sips while Rebecca kept twirling. Very cute.

Oh, Tofino…

I want to go back.

Rebecca & Nick, thank you so much for having me. You two were a delight to work with. All the best!

P.S. If you found this post from Google and you’re getting married in Tofino and looking for a Tofino wedding photographer, I’d love to be yours! Contact me today for information on rates & availability.