some might find choosing a september date for your outdoor vancouver wedding just a little too risky for comfort. ohhh but when vancouver septembers get it right, they get it so right. the forecast predicted rain, all day, all weekend. we woke up to overcast skies, wet ground and powerful rain. when i arrived at katrien’s parent’s house at three o’ clock for some photos of the bride preparation, the sun was out in full force. a much-appreciated gift from above. oh & get this! it started pouring rain again when seven o’ clock rolled around and the reception began.

i walked into the most beautiful getting ready room and katrien with her hair & make-up done already looking gorgeous in just jeans & a t-shirt. her bridesmaids were all the cutest things and i love when a morning with the girls feels like hanging out. katrien was an absolute vision in her wedding dress; wow, wow, wow. such a beautiful bride–i could have photographed her all morning. a short three-minute drive from her parent’s house was the ceremony & reception venue: the shaughnessy golf & country club, where katrien’s father is a member. a perfect venue for the day. the ceremony took place under a white tent on the back lawn, the reception inside the sophisticated clubhouse.

before we left her parents house to make our way to the ceremony, katrien quietly said, look at me. i’m shaking, as she held out her hand to show us. i love when brides get that little jittery feeling; the excitement, emotion, nerves & joy of the day all bundled into shaky hands. cute. though, there was nothing but pure joy on katrien’s face as she walked towards steve on her father’s arm. steve blinked back his tears with determination as he watched his beautiful bride walk towards him, radiant as can be. it was beautiful.

at the reception, katrien’s maid of honour erin gave a beautiful speech about their many, many years of friendship. she touched on a specific conversation they had back in 2007, around new year’s. talking about their resolutions, katrien, after much thought, decided she was going to find love that year. she found it, in the form of a man named steve. steve & katrien had a super fun family and their reception was full of laughter.

p.s. a massive, massive thank-you goes to renee of aird events for the fabulous day-of co-ordination. she was so incredibly helpful.