I really love mini-destination weddings. (I call them mini if I can drive to them!) One year ago, I received a note from Sarah & Onur about shooting their engagement photos in Vancouver. I think I asked, “I’d love to! But where are you getting married?” and when I heard “Penticton!” I said, “I’m down for that, if you’ll have me!” 

I’m so glad I got to be a part of Sarah & Onur’s fantastic day at Poplar Grove Winery on Saturday, September 9th. There’s a beautiful vibe to wedding days where everyone has to travel to be there. Nobody can be distracted by work or home – it’s all about the wedding day, for everyone! Personally, my Saturday morning started with breakfast with my husband overlooking Lake Okanagan with a cup of coffee as the rain came down. A perfect morning, which I think creatively inspired me for the day ahead. ;)

Around 2 o’ clock in the afternoon, I arrived at Sarah & Onur’s guesthouse for getting ready photos! It was a hilarious shuffle between the two rooms, especially when we discovered the ‘best light’ was on the patio near some beautiful ivy. I photographed Onur getting ready, then banished him to the front of the house, so Sarah could come out, and vice versa. Haha! 

Sarah & Onur’s first look was probably one of my favourite moments ever at a wedding… I forgot how natural these two are in front of the camera. They have a pure love and joy about their relationship – and it’s contagious. I couldn’t stop smiling. Portraits at a nearby park to their venue were stunning, too. Could not believe how gorgeous the location was.

A heavy smoke had been over Penticton for nearly 6 weeks (or so the locals told me!) – and it remained all day Friday, the day before the wedding. Poplar Grove Winery has a phenomenal view and the smoke wasn’t ideal – but Sarah & Onur were in good spirits. However, when the rain came on Saturday morning, it cleared away all the smoke! Leaving beautiful overcast light and a clear view of the lake and mountains. Cannot believe our good fortune.

One of my favourite moments of the day was when Sarah & Onur walked down towards their ceremony together, hand in hand. At that very moment, the skies opened up and a bright, bright sunshine appeared. Within a few minutes, it went back to overcast and remained that way for the rest of the day. It was a surreal moment!

Sarah & Onur’s reception included plenty of time for guests to mingle, enjoy amazing appetizers, some bubbly (which Onur insisted I have one glass of! So kind… it was amazing) — and a five-course meal, each course with it’s own wine pairing. This wedding was truly a dream. I had a few different groups of people during cocktail hour stop me, and I smiled and said, “Do you want a photo?” Some of them, said, “Sure! But mainly we just wanted to talk to you!” Sarah & Onur’s guests were soooo kind, so diverse (there were 15 languages represented in 40 guests!) and amazing conversationalists. Enjoy the photos and I hope my words here have added something even more to the ‘feel’ of the day as you look through. :)

Hair & Makeup: Best Little Hair House
Florist: Lisa’s Fresh Cut Flowers
Ceremony Venue: Poplar Grove Winery
Reception Venue: Poplar Grove Winery
Event Rentals: Okanagan Event Rentals
DJ: Affordable Music
Catering: Vanilla Pod Restaurant at Poplar Grove