Vivian and Phillip had already planned to have a small wedding at the Fairmont Empress in Victoria, BC. It was going to be 25 guests, a small reception, and socially distanced. Just two weeks prior to their wedding date, covid cases had climbed locally and the government put out new restrictions - one of which was limiting weddings to just 10 people.
Plenty of couples scrambled to change their plans. In the case of Vivian and Phillip, they knew that what they wanted most was to end 2020 on the best note on their lives, whether it could be 10 people or 100. So, 10 it was!
I have photographed elopements of course, including covid elopements, and the summer allowed as many as 50 guests (distanced), but I hadn't yet done a wedding of just 10 people, and no reception. It was somewhere between and elopement and wedding, pulling elements from both sides. Between Vivian and Phillip's eye for details and the Empress's eye for colours, textures, and tones, it was an absolutely incredible ceremony and celebration.
The day began with everyone getting ready, distanced, in a large bridal suite the empress offers. All the vendors were impeccable with their safety plans in place. Despite the distances, the room was buzzing with excitement as the bride, her mother, and her sister got ready together. Phillip, the groom, was waiting down in the library.
The ceremony was small but so full of love. The couple live streamed from a phone and recorded on a camera for back up footage. Despite only having ten people in the room (myself included) emotions were huge and heartful and the room felt full. Of love, of hope, of celebration.
The couple served the bride’s parents tea as per the custom in Korea - although the cups were empty due to covid regulations. Again, despite this detail, it was meaningful and powerful anyway. It reminded me again (as 2020 reminded me of this a lot) that all that truly matters on your wedding day is who you marry, and who stands next to you - whether literally six feet away, or virtually, or even in spirit.
Then the couple and I ran off to romp around downtown Victoria, making photos in front of the Fairmont Empress, the Parliament Buildings, a quick spin through some back alleys, and ending back at the Empress to dancing with sparklers.
Phillip and Vivian - you had impeccable focus on what mattered most that day. One another. Thank you for letting me be a part of your celebration, small in size but huge in love.
