Karina was raised in Vancouver, but 12 years ago, moved to Washington, D.C. She went on to live in Boston before returning to the DC area and settling in Maryland. Corey was born and raised in Atlantic City, New Jersey but 6 years ago, moved to Maryland as well. Karina and Corey both attended the same fitness centre and spa and numerous times Corey remembers watching Karina working out at a rapid pace. Their wedding website recalls Corey thinking to himself, “Damn, that’s my type of girl! All about business!”

Not too long after, a friend asked Corey if he was interested in meeting a new girl. When he saw a photo of Karina on his friend’s cell phone, Corey answered, “Sure am!” One week later, Corey contacted Karina for a date night. They sipped on cocktails and ate pizza on the deck of Karina’s home on a hot summer night. They’ve been inseparable ever since! A couple years ago, they decided to start a family together and brought the beautiful Bryson into the world. (He’s truly adorable.)

When Corey proposed (while on vacation together as a family!) they set out to plan their wedding date and decided upon Vancouver as the perfect backdrop. Karina loves her hometown – and absolutely loves the outdoors. (In fact, she’s climbed Mount Kilimanjaro… the tallest mountain in Africa. Yeah, she’s a pretty amazing woman.) The Capilano Suspension Bridge Park in North Vancouver was a natural choice for these two.

I honestly came back from this wedding day full of so-many-things to recount to my husband. I loved seeing Karina’s family again (I photographed her sister Maritza and Steven’s wedding last May, to whom I owe the referral!) and meeting Corey’s family. They are all such genuine people. All day long, everyone was so friendly and hospitable to us. We felt like we were amongst family. It was a wonderful privilege getting to capture Karina and Corey’s wedding day.

My favourite time of the evening was the reception speeches. It was a smallish (that’s a word, right?) wedding with one hundred guests. The Canyon House (adjacent to the Capilano Suspension Bridge) was a cozy venue for everyone to gather. There was a few scheduled toasts and speeches and then an open mic – every person had wonderful, warm, REAL things to say and fun stories to tell about Karina and Corey. The best part was both Karina and Corey’s thank you speeches to each other and their guests. Over twenty of their friends flew from Baltimore to attend their wedding day in Vancouver. (And that’s a long trek! I have a best friend in Baltimore so I’ve been there 4-5 times! It’s an all day airport affair.) You could feel how much that meant to Karina and Corey.

The blending and mixing of families together – two countries and two coasts apart was also a privilege to watch. I know this family and this couple will do “well” together in their marriage. Karina and Corey have an intense love for one another, as well as mutual respect for their new families and siblings.

Congratulations, you two! I wish you a lifetime of love and learning.

Hair Stylist/Makeup: Annie Chang
Bride’s Shoes: Gianni Bini, Dillard’s Dept Store 
Bridal Hairclip: Lulusplendor
Dress Designer & Store: Maggie Sottero, The Bridal Boutique
Bridesmaids Dresses: David’s Bridal
Groomsmen Attire: Men’s Warehouse
Stationery: Preston’s Stationery
Officiant: Joan Mitchell
Ceremony Venue: Capilano Suspension Bridge
Caterer: Capilano Canyon House
DJ/Band: Steven Hardie
Cake Designer: Sweet Affair Treats

P.S. Thank you to Maritza for requesting we take this photo. Two sisters, two weddings, same wedding photographer. Honoured to be a small part of this family’s life!

P.P.P.S. And this one: