Alex and Tyler decided to get married mid-pandemic, and they didn’t want to wait, so the planned from the beginning a covid-friendly elopement with just two guests. But boy did they put together just an incredible experience and day: they rented a large log cottage (mansion? Can there be log mansions?) in Sooke and moved in with their two guests for several nights, who also happened to be family (and another couple I photographed, who had eloped just a few months before!). They were able to enjoy the night before with drinks and music and laughter, before spending the morning at the cabin getting ready, heading to the elopement site, and returning to a private chef preparing dinner for the 4 of them in this amazing cabin! For a small wedding, it felt indulged, intimate, and absolutely still full-on celebration mode.

One snafu: it absolutely poured rain during their ceremony! Due to some delays getting out the door, we didn’t have time for many dry portraits, so literally all their ceremony and bridal photos are, I’m not joking, SOAKING wet.

Did they care? Nope! They shrugged it off and made out in the downpour. I won’t say I didn’t have to hustle my butt to get shots in the dumping rain - it was so wet I couldn’t even use my own eyeglasses and had to use other means of focusing the camera (thankfully my gear is crazy techie and I was able to do that, yay Sony!).

Please, soak in these shots from a romantic, wet, wild elopement on the wonderfully unpredictable westcoast of Vancouver Island!

Accommodation: Airbnb

Ceremony Venue: Secret

Ceremony Decor: DIY by couple

Downpour-Proof Make Up: Erin Bradley

Unreal Bouquet: Bespoke Blossoms

Private Catering: Toque Catering

Note: This elopement took place in October 2020 before stricter covid restrictions (Nov 2020-June 2021) about masks indoors, the end of bubbles, etc had occurred. Everything seen here was in accordance at the time.

“Kate was 100% the best photographer I’ve ever worked with. Kate blew them all out of the water with her personable nature, the quality of her photos, and her willingness to go above and beyond. When she’s with you she is 100% focused on you. She wasn’t rushing through or hurrying us along. She took the time to research the best light, investigate the space, and to work with us on our timeline. On top of making us look amazing, Kate also had a professional and positive attitude about her. She was smiling through in a downpour, completely soaked but never complained. And instead of looking like drown rats, we look like we are in a fairytale. This is the photographer you want on your wedding day— trust me.
”

— Alex (and Tyler)