Photographing weddings in Kelowna and the Okanagan means we get to shoot in all kinds of awesome outdoor places. This wedding was no different. It was beautiful August day under the huge tree at Kopje Regional Park on the banks of the Okanagan Lake in Lake Country, BC.

Brianna’s day began with Makeup and getting ready at her parent’s home in West Kelowna. We mentioned to Bri (as her friends lovingly call her) that wedding dresses never come with beautiful hangers, and requested that she have a nice wooden hanger that we could take photos of the dress with. Being filled with awesome ideas, Brianna had her dad craft a hanger out of some rope and a piece of tree, creating the most epic dress hanger.

Being surrounded by her best friends, and her mom and dad, her morning was filled with laughter and happy tears. As Brianna got into her dress and jewelry she was able to soak in these last few moments living in her parent’s home, and we made sure there was time for a few special moments with her and her mom, as well as a little first look with her dad.

Ben got ready with his groomsmen in the house he and Bri would be making a home. They moved everything in the weekend of the wedding so nothing was in its final place, but everything about it was great. You can feel their new life together starting.

The ceremony was held under a huge tree at Kopje Park in Winfield. We hadn’t been to the park before but we loved it. Everything was green and lush in the summer sun. Leafy Green Kelowna Weddings are so beautiful. The ceremony was sweet and we get to watch each element unfold while a mix of friends and family came together to provide all the live ceremony music. Bri and Ben shared a private moment during a foot washing, symbolizing the way they will serve one another as husband and wife.

We took bridal party pictures at Kopje Park on the lawn and by the beach followed by portraits of our couple. Kopje Park has so many great spots for pictures and Bri + Ben looked fantastic during their romantic wedding portraits.

The beautiful reception was held at The Laurel Packinghouse in Downtown Kelowna. It was expertly decorated and looked awesome. There were personal touches everywhere. Dinner was excellent and followed by an Ice Cream bar with Warm Melted Chocolate and Fruit toppings! The speeches were beautiful, and brought us to tears. Brianna danced with her father to My Girl sung by her Cousin (Everybody everywhere in the room was musical.) The couple’s first dance was beautiful with Ben + Bri showing off a few smooth moves.

We wish we could show you every zany action shot from the party, but there are so many! Just enjoy these few and know it was wild and fantastic!

We met Bri + Ben shooting her bother’s wedding last year! Getting to know these families has been a highlight of our past 12 months.  Fun, funny, and full of faith, it’s been wonderful spending time with them. It’s like Ben said in their Thank You speech, “Thanks Josh + Carly, we want to be your friends.” Well, Ben + Bri, we want to be your friends, too!

Congratulations you two! May your life be filled with rich blessings!

Ceremony: Kopje Regional Park
Reception: Laurel Packinghouse
Decor: DIY
Makeup: Melissa Craven
Dress: Bliss Bridal
Florals: Classic Creations Floral Design
Catering: The Art of Fine Catering

www.barnettphotography.ca

Trena + Jon’s Summerhill Pyramid Winery wedding here in Kelowna was awesome. The Okanagan summers are spectacular every year with plenty of bright light and warm temperatures!

The day started with Trena and her bridesmaids getting hair and makeup done at Cream salons downtown. Soon they headed back to the suite that Trena and Jon had reserved right on the banks of the Okanagan Lake. Trena surprised her maids with beautiful earrings from Kate Spade and it was smiles all around as her mother helped Trena into her beautiful dress.

Meanwhile, Jon was hanging at his parent’s Kelowna vacation rental home, chilling by the pool, and enjoying burgers. Check out the guys trying to front-flip-dunk a ball with their feet. It didn’t work but we got a few high-action shots for sure! The guys dressed, prayed, and then we all headed downtown for Trena + Jon’s Kelowna boardwalk first look.

Our couple wanted to minimize the time between the ceremony and reception by having the bridal party portraits done before, so they opted to see each other before the ceremony and spend a few minutes ooh-ing and aww-ing at each other! Trena looked gorgeous in her dress and we think Jon agreed.

We went up to a fave spot on Knox Mountain for the bridal party and we snagged a few photos of the couple as well. We love that yellow-green desert feel of Knox!

The ceremony was on the lawn at Summerhill Pyramid Winery with Trena’s former choir director officiating. He was the perfect blend of funny and solemn as they exchanged vows and rings. After family portraits, we grabbed a few more shots in the wooded area at Summerhill. We love that there are so many places to photograph at the winery!

The reception was mega fun with THE BEST kissing game we’ve ever seen. Cash donations were made to the couple and a famous movie kiss could be chosen for different dollar amounts. The scene would play on the big screen and Trena + Jon would have to act it out. Things got pretty epic when the upside-down Spiderman kiss was picked!

A delicious dinner, followed by touching (and super funny) speeches, followed by a few more minutes for vineyard sunset portraits. Instead of a 1 hour block for couple’s pictures, we carved out three 15 minute sessions during the day. Each one at a different spot, with different light and backgrounds. It was pretty awesome and really showcases a variety of what Kelowna has to offer for Brides + Grooms!

After pictures, we headed back in for the couple’s first dance and then the parent’s dance. The bridal party joined them on the floor while John Bird DJ’ing for Okanagan Wedding Entertainment Group kept the party going all night long!

It was a glorious day filled with laughs, tears, love and faith. We pray blessings for Trena + Jon as they begin their new life together as one!

Enjoy!

This wedding wouldn’t have been what it was without the help and services of these awesome people!
Venue: Summerhill Pyramid Winery
Hair/Makeup: Cream Salons
Florals: Passionate Blooms
DJ: Okanagan Wedding Entertainment Group

To see Trena + Jon’s Kelowna Engagement shoot Click HERE.

www.barnettphotography.ca