About the Venue: Sea Breeze Lodge on Hornby Island

Sea Breeze Lodge is an amazing Gulf Island wedding venue with everything you need for an incredible wedding weekend with your crew. Getting to Hornby Island is half the fun! Take two ferries from Vancouver Island or three ferries if you are travelling from mainland BC. It’s perfect for the couple seeking a dose of adventure paired with the ability to unplug with their favourite people. Sea Breeze Lodge has 17 unique, cozy cabins to house you both and up to 80 guests right on the property. It’s an ideal spot for intimate destination weddings in the BC Gulf Islands.

Rachel & Justin’s Hornby Island Wedding

Last May, I had the honour of returning to Sea Breeze Lodge for a second time as a wedding photographer to capture the most beautiful day. Rachel and Justin met on an exchange trip to Bolivia… fast-forward 13 years to their magical destination wedding on Hornby Island.

Here is a peek into Rachel & Justin’s day and some of my favourite moments captured!

Getting Ready Photos in the Cabins

The day started in a quaint cabin where Rachel was getting ready with her sister and best friends. One of my favourite moments was when the Mother of the Bride walked into the cabin, looked up at her daughter in her beautiful wedding dress, and started crying. Her sister was getting her makeup done at the time and also burst into tears! It’s moments like these that you can’t plan. They aren’t on the shot list. They are just simply, real moments… mascara streaks and all. These are the wedding photos you look back on years later and are transported back to how that moment felt.

First Look with an Ocean View

When I got to Justin’s cabin, they were cutting pizza with scissors and saying cheers with their favourite drink of choice, Somersby Ciders. Let’s just say the vibes were high! After taking a few shots of them getting ready, I lead Justin to the spot where they wanted to have their first look… on the rocks overlooking the Strait of Georgia.

Cue the raindrops.

Luckily, we had a plan for rain! I asked Justin to hold tight while I ran back to the Bride’s cabin to escort her to the location and we had two clear umbrellas delivered to us en route. If you are planning a Vancouver Island wedding or a Gulf Islands wedding, having a Plan B for rain is a must because you never know what you are going to get sometimes.

The sky cleared just in time for a gorgeous first look followed by beautiful formal portraits of the two of them on their wedding day! They are getting MARRIED!

Oceanfront Ceremony on Hornby Island

After makeup and hair touch ups for the couple (and taking detail photos in the reception area for me), we all made our way to the ceremony area. A beautiful grassy ravine overlooking the ocean, Texada Island and the mainland of BC in the distance.

A simply gorgeous backdrop to say, “I do!” and exchange the sweetest personal vows.

Rainy Wedding Day Family Photos

During the ceremony, the skies had darkened and there was even thunder at one point! Immediately after they walked down the aisle hand-in-hand as a married couple, the weather turned.

Cue the downpour.

It was time for family photos but everyone was running to take shelter. We had to quickly pivot our plan for family photos! All of their immediate family and closest friends huddled inside of one of the cabins and they each took turns lining up on the deck for a quick group shot!

The weather cleared after about 15 minutes and we were able to take some of the family photos and the bridal party photos out in the open.

Cocktail Hour Cheers

After we finished the family photos, I coordinated with the DJ the couple’s grand entrance to join their guests near the lodge for the cocktail hour. It was such a wonderful moment of them running across the field and everyone clapping and cheering for them.

Dinner and Heartwarming Speeches

Rachel and Justin are one of the kindest couples I know and they certainly know how to throw a party. Dinner was a gorgeous buffet-style spread that left everyone whispering about how delicious the food was.

And then there were speeches.

I think everyone in the room shed at least one tear for them – even the wait staff at the venue! Their love was mirrored by everyone in attendance and the whole room was radiating. This is one of the reasons why I adore weddings and more specifically – wedding speeches. The unexplainable energy of a room full of people celebrating love. Trying to put into words their own declaration of love for their daughter, sister, niece or best friend – and as the couple as a unity.

Golden Hour Wedding Photos at Sunset

The sun decided to come out just in time for a magnificent sunset and I stole the couple away down to the other beach for some sunset wedding photos. Every time I do this, my couples remind me how special this 15 minute “break” is for them. It’s a chance to get some fresh air, soak in some alone time together, and capture memories with that magical lighting.

Dancing the Night Away

When we got back from golden hour photos, it was time for the Bride to change into her second dress of the evening and dance the night away. Their first dance was so beautiful and included a surprise mashup tune which ended up being the perfect segue into everyone hitting the dance floor HARD for the rest of the evening (even grandma!).

Another simply magical wedding on Hornby Island for the books!

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Vendors

Photography – Rose Creative Co / @rosecreativecompany

Venue / Catering / Day-Of Coordination – Sea Breeze Lodge / @seabreezelodge

Florals – Alina Milek / @alinamilekdesigns

Makeup / Hair: Kayla Rae Hair and Makeup Artistry / @hairandmakeupbykrae

Rachel’s dress – The Bridal Gallery / @thebridalgallery

Justin’s suit – Indochino / @indochino