I have been looking forward to Kourtney and Dexter‘s wedding day since I met them at their engagement session! They chose the fabulous Fraser River Lodge as their wedding venue in Agassiz and I couldn’t wait to return. The morning of the wedding day, the rain was pouring outside my window! It was early enough, so I’m sure everybody was thinking, “Just let it rain! Let it allll rain out!”

By the time we arrived at the bridal suite at Fraser River Lodge by 1:00pm, the skies were gray but it didn’t look like any chance of rain. Kourtney mentioned she had to make the call at noon about a ceremony on the lawn, or a ceremony underneath the tent. She called it, lawn! Perfect. We both agreed it was worth the risk because, even if it did rain, it certainly wasn’t going to pour. It ‘doesn’t’ pour in the Lower Mainland. It drizzles. Guests can hold umbrellas. It’s worth it for the photos. All ways we rationalized the outdoor ceremony and the venue staff completed set up of all the chairs on the lawn.

Kourtney got ready calmly with her two bridesmaids, her mom and her sister, in the bridal suite. Her hair and makeup was finished early, so she bounced around the room volunteering to help with whatever was needed. She tied both of her bridesmaids dresses and did her mom’s makeup! It was pretty cute. Finally it was time and she slipped into her long, lace gown. In the other room, Dexter got ready with his boys, and they both opened gifts from one another separately.

(I’m going to continue the story in between their Fraser River Lodge wedding photos below…)

For the First Look, Dexter waited, facing the beautiful Mt. Cheam and counted down the seconds until his bride would come say hello for the first time on their wedding day! Just a note – It was an adorable first look and I absolutely LOVE all of the photos we captured. However, due to some significant privacy concerns, I’m unable to share Kourtney and Dexter’s First Look, any of their portraits, or the ceremony. (But all of the photos are stunning. Seriously. Friends, come see me in person and I’ll show you on my computer, hahaha. They are a beautiful couple.)

However, one of my favourite moments was the garter Kourtney ordered of Dexter’s favourite team: San Francisco giants. When she lifted up the hem of her dress to show it off seconds after their first look, the smile on Dexter’s face was priceless.

This is where the story gets interesting. The First Look was at two o’ clock and we photographed portraits until three. Our plan was to allow thirty minutes for Kourtney and Dexter to relax and refresh before their 3:30pm ceremony. Kourtney and Dexter said goodbye, Kourtney rested in the bridal suite with her girls and Dexter to the billiards room. Guests were arriving every minute and the lodge deck was filled with happy sounds of family greeting friends. Around 3:15pm, the skies quickly turned dark gray and rain started.

And suddenly, our positively confident predictions about “even if it does rain, it’s not going to pour…” seemed laughable. It poured. Poured. The ceremony was set up on the lawn by this point, including altar flowers, lanterns, a sign inviting guests to take a seat, etc. The wind picked up and it felt like a full on storm! I ran out into the rain, to photograph the set-up quickly before anything was ruined, but also to try to steady some of the floral arrangements, because they seriously looked in danger of taking a tumble, haha.

Back on the deck, guests took cover and the venue turned on the overhead heaters. The coordinator and I asked Kourtney what she wanted to do next and she smiled, “We’re going to wait it out. It’ll clear.” There was literally no stress present on her face, it was amazing. “And besides,” she said, “We’re already done all our portraits! So that’s awesome!”

We waited it out… for 30 minutes of rain. A few minutes of rapid clean up by the Fraser River Lodge staff (fixing the sign that fell over, wiping down every individual chair!) and the ceremony was ready to start.

(Once again, if you skimmed the beginning of this post, don’t worry, I didn’t ‘forget’ the ceremony – there are some privacy concerns with sharing specific images from Kourtney and Dexter’s wedding day. I assure you the ceremony images are pretty sweet, haha! But for now, you’ll have to use your imagination.)

The reception room at Fraser River Lodge is a favourite of mine. I love the dark wood floors, wood ceiling and neutral walls. It feels like a blank canvas (with an amazing mountain view) that can accommodate any colour scheme. I love the choices Kourtney made – the navy blue and gold felt so warm and wonderful in the room. Especially on a rainier day!

Doesn’t their sweetheart table set-up look like the coziest ever? I love when couples choose to sit alone!

Because I can’t share the majority of the first half of the wedding day, I went a little overboard on First Dance photos. They were too cute and the light was perfect and they are so smiley. Enjoy, haha!!

String lights are so worth the investment!

Photographer: Jamie Delaine
Hair/Make-Up: Rae Pelat
Bride’s Shoes: Aldo
Bride’s Jewelry: Earrings from Groom’s Grandmother
Dress: David’s Bridal
Florist: Wild Rabbit Flowers
Ceremony Venue: Fraser River Lodge
Reception Venue: Fraser River Lodge
Cake: Tracycakes
Bridesmaids Dresses: Lulus
Grooms’s Attire: Moores
Favours: Homemade jam from the Mother of the Bride