Finally! After what seems like forever, I can reveal the true purpose of my recent trip to Ucluelet. It wasn’t just for some R and R. It wasn’t just to get out of town. It wasn’t just for some pampering. It wasn’t to once again take in the majestic west coast of Vancouver Island. It wasn’t just to visit my fishy friends one more time, at the Ucluelet Aquarium. It wasn’t just to watch the sun go down. It was for THIS:
My daughter and my newly minted son-in-law’s intertwined hands, revealing their wedding rings.
Here’s some of what you didn’t see (but I was DYING to show you):
My Mother of the Bride dress with totally impractical shoes for a forest wedding (I ended up wearing them only to dinner). Good thing I packed my Birkenstocks as well!I was so happy to have found these special earrings, at the Flying Fish in downtown Nanaimo. Cristy’s Jewelry Designs.My gorgeous corsageThe beautiful, happy couple in their element: the rainforest and the Pacific west coast. Photo Credit: the talented Tofino photographer Marnie Recker.I started amusing myself by taking sneak photos over my shoulder, during the photoshoot at Wickaninnish Beach. What a relaxed and happy day! I can’t stop smiling. I don’t think anyone noticed what I was doing. Do you?At some point my daughter plopped her flower crown on my head. Look who’s tragically hip now! Photo credit: Marnie ReckerI love the reflections of them in the wet sand. Photo credit: Marnie ReckerBack at the Black Rock Resort. About to enjoy some blackberry and white chocolate wedding cake, from Wild Poppy, a gluten-free bakery in Ladysmith. So delicious!
This wedding elopement was so low-key, relaxed and joyous. As all weddings should be. Besides myself, the groom’s mom and step-dad were also guests of the happy couple. And that was it. A perfect day in a perfect setting that perfectly suited this young couple and their values. I couldn’t be happier or more proud of the both of them. Congratulations to you both!!!!
Thank you, TG 💕 I think the same about that photo. Maybe I should be a spy 🤔, except it sounds like work and I have taken a stand against that sort of thing 😁.
Oh I have tears in my eyes … how beautiful they looked, and you to sister 💕
In some of these pics you really are starting to look more and more like Mom. 😥
If heavenly souls can look down, I know Mom/Oma was so proud of her little Jemma. I hope Jemma knows that … and more importantly, feels that, as they both had such an amazingly beautiful connection.
Congratulations Jemma and welcome to the family Kevin 💕
Hi Erica – Stunning all round … you all look so so happy – oh how wonderful to wake up to and to see the happiness and joy … just gorgeous. Amazing photos – brilliant flowers, settings … while the jewellery looks amazing – no wonder you were ‘hooked’ and they go so well with your delightful dress – I can see the tottering heels weren’t quite right for the forest setting … but way to go along the beach in Birkenstocks! Oh oh oh … delightful … I can ‘hear’ the joy and happiness – all the very best to the newly weds … and happiness to everyone. Cheers Hilary
Thank you, Hilary 💕 The heels weren’t exactly tottering – they looked it in the photo but are actually little kitten heels as I can’t do high heels anymore. Still…not exactly forest floor-friendly, ya know? 🤣 My daughter was much smarter and wore strappy sandals with a reasonable block heel.
Congrats. The newlywed couple look happy and adorable and the rings are lovely. You look happy too, despite the impractical shoes. Thank goodness for Birks.
So beautiful…. it looks perfect and I love everything about it. The setting, the bouquet, the low key aspect…. simple but meaningful. And oh, the earrings.
👍
Deb, I googled Ucluelet after your last post and I can certainly see its appeal. I am beginning to realize just how vast and beautiful Vancouver Island is. I had never thought much beyond Victoria, but because of you, Donna and Erica, I am finally getting it!
How special to witness your daughter’s marriage in such a beautiful place. That blue dress was perfect for you and for the occasion. Her flowers are AMAZING. Love your ‘reverse’ photo bombs. Clever. Congratulations to all.
Thank you, Suzanne 💕 The entire island is beautiful. I thought her flowers were amazing too!!! I forget to ask her who the florist was. Must do so I can link it in the post. I do like using the reverse photo bomb trick…I think it adds some humour and interest to a blog post or photo.
Of course you would find a way to photograph the happy scene. Your smile says it all!! Congratulations to the beautiful couple, Jemma and Kevin … but especially the lovely mother-of-the-bride 😍
I so endorse this type of wedding – intimate, low-key, a beautiful natural setting with sun, sky, and sea as witnesses. Oh, and a covert lady spy in sensible shoes! Love it!
Thank you, Maggie 💕 “Covert lady spy in sensible shoes”…I love this!!!! In actual fact, I was already barefoot whilst operating in spy mode but I love your description so much 😍
I love her flower selection! A little wild and definitely colorful. Just as it should be. Congrats to the couple and to the mom in the lovely blue dress with the wrong shoes!
Thank you, Kate 💕 I only wore the wrong shoes for about 2 minutes at the ceremony, and then switched back to my handy Birks (that got me into the forest and to the ceremony site). I do very much love my “wrong shoes”…they have a tiny kitten heel so are easy to wear, but alas do sink very quickly into the soft forest floor. They made a reappearance at dinner, so that was fine. Those flowers though….wowsers!
How wonderful! Congratulations to your daughter & son-in-law 💕. Such a beautiful setting to exchange vows & I love that they chose to do low key. Wishing them both many years of love, laughter & joy together ❤️
Oh! This is FANTASTIC news!!!! Congratulations all around!! And I totally agree, that – in my opinion – is the perfect wedding. – All you need it love… <3 You're all just beautiful and I love your dress and those earrings! Of course your daughter is gorgeous… <3
Congratulations Deb, weddings can be such a hassle. Our younger daughter eloped we didn’t even get a chance to be there. Sometimes that’s the best way.
Leslie
Congratulations to your beautiful daughter and new son-in-law! What a gorgeous location to get married in. Weddings are oftentimes stressful for the very people who should be enjoying them. Good for the newlyweds for designing their day to suit them. Love, love your earrings 😘
WOW..betting that was a beautiful wedding. Being that I photograph weddings at a small venue, or if another photographer is hired I shoot Behind the Scenes pics, I would love to shoot on a beach. Love your dress but she, those shoes would be rough in the woods. I have a round pair of silver earrings almost like that. Just be careful, if you wear them one day, come home and take a nap..take them out, they bend easy. As for son in laws ring…LOVE, LOVE, LOVE. My birthstone.
Yay! Congratulations to you Deb and your daughter and new son-in-law. What a spectacular location on an absolutely gorgeous day! You (and they) looked beautiful and even more importantly very happy. And I agree with Janis that keeping a wedding simple and stress free should be on everyone’s list. And thanks for sharing the photos of this happy day. ~Kathy
Congratulations to your daughter and her new husband! It looks perfect, and no, I don’t think anyone caught on to what you were doing. Plus the results were really cute!
Elopements have become a business of their own, it seems. Just about every hotel in Tofino has an “elopement package”. Seems a bit contradictory to the whole idea of eloping, but hey! Obviously there is a demand. My daughter and son-in-law did their wedding entirely on their own. Figured out what was important to them and ditched the rest. Being in a pandemic situation still helped too. The perfect excuse for a small affair, and shuts up those who have something to say about it (like “why wasn’t I invited?”).
What a wonderful event. It sounds perfectly suited to your daughter and her new husband. As an ex-florist who specialized in weddings I’ve got to say the bride’s bouquet was spectacular!
They look so happy. Everyone looked gorgeous and the weather looked like it smiled on the party as well. Although, I wonder if your daughter had something to change into as her dress wouldn’t have been comfortable wet after the photos!
An exceptionally beautiful and moving post, Deb. I am happy you are able to share some photos of this special day and this special union. I can see the happiness and love in the photos and a Mother’s love in your words.❤️ Also a super fun way to have a wedding! Your daughter and her now husband look wonderful. You are a gorgeous Mother of the Bride! I wondered how you would be able to wear the earrings. Stylin! I am smiling all the way through the post. Yay!! Congratulations!!❤️
I think your daughter looks beautiful, and her husband looks dashing. I hope they have many happy years together.
That was very tricky of you to sneak those photos over the shoulder. Maybe you should be a spy.
Thank you, TG 💕 I think the same about that photo. Maybe I should be a spy 🤔, except it sounds like work and I have taken a stand against that sort of thing 😁.
I admire your stand.
Big congratulations and warm wishes, Jemma, Kevin and Mom! You all look gorgeous ..and are great secret keepers!
Thank you, Donna 💕 And thank you for being a good sport when I needed to do location scouting on our camping adventure to Tofino and Ucluelet 🥰.
Congratulations to your daughter and her husband. A perfect wsy to be msrried.
Cheers,
Carol
Thank you, Carol 💕 I agree!
Congratulations to the happy couple Deb, they look so happy. You look wonderful.
Thank you very much, Moz! 💕 Nice to hear from you! 😁
Oh gosh that’s wonderful! Sounds like a perfect day!! Love your selfies with them behind you – very clever.
Thank you, Bernie 💕 Hehehe, I thought I was being pretty clever too 😉
Oh and you looked awesome. Birks or fancy shoes!
Thank you! ☺️
Oh I have tears in my eyes … how beautiful they looked, and you to sister 💕
In some of these pics you really are starting to look more and more like Mom. 😥
If heavenly souls can look down, I know Mom/Oma was so proud of her little Jemma. I hope Jemma knows that … and more importantly, feels that, as they both had such an amazingly beautiful connection.
Congratulations Jemma and welcome to the family Kevin 💕
Thank you Sister Dear 💕🥰😁
Congratulations! The happy couple look SOOOOO happy staring into each others’ eyes.
Thank you, Luisa 💕 Yes, they are very happy. So well matched. I am thrilled for them.
Hi Erica – Stunning all round … you all look so so happy – oh how wonderful to wake up to and to see the happiness and joy … just gorgeous. Amazing photos – brilliant flowers, settings … while the jewellery looks amazing – no wonder you were ‘hooked’ and they go so well with your delightful dress – I can see the tottering heels weren’t quite right for the forest setting … but way to go along the beach in Birkenstocks! Oh oh oh … delightful … I can ‘hear’ the joy and happiness – all the very best to the newly weds … and happiness to everyone. Cheers Hilary
Thank you, Hilary 💕 The heels weren’t exactly tottering – they looked it in the photo but are actually little kitten heels as I can’t do high heels anymore. Still…not exactly forest floor-friendly, ya know? 🤣 My daughter was much smarter and wore strappy sandals with a reasonable block heel.
Deb
Woo – bad me … I got your name wrong … so sorrreeeee Deb!! It’s still a wonderful story – loved it … cheers H
No worries…it happens to me too sometimes ☺️
Congrats. The newlywed couple look happy and adorable and the rings are lovely. You look happy too, despite the impractical shoes. Thank goodness for Birks.
Love this whole thing. Everyone looked so beautiful and happy.
Thank you Dear Sister 💕
Yes, thank goodness for Birks!!! Thank you, Ally 💕
So beautiful…. it looks perfect and I love everything about it. The setting, the bouquet, the low key aspect…. simple but meaningful. And oh, the earrings.
👍
Thank you, Rivergirl 💕 Yes, those earrings! I wanted something special for the day and these were exactly what I was looking for.
Deb, I googled Ucluelet after your last post and I can certainly see its appeal. I am beginning to realize just how vast and beautiful Vancouver Island is. I had never thought much beyond Victoria, but because of you, Donna and Erica, I am finally getting it!
How special to witness your daughter’s marriage in such a beautiful place. That blue dress was perfect for you and for the occasion. Her flowers are AMAZING. Love your ‘reverse’ photo bombs. Clever. Congratulations to all.
Thank you, Suzanne 💕 The entire island is beautiful. I thought her flowers were amazing too!!! I forget to ask her who the florist was. Must do so I can link it in the post. I do like using the reverse photo bomb trick…I think it adds some humour and interest to a blog post or photo.
Yay!! {clapping my hands with excitement!!}.
Of course you would find a way to photograph the happy scene. Your smile says it all!! Congratulations to the beautiful couple, Jemma and Kevin … but especially the lovely mother-of-the-bride 😍
Thank you very much, my friend 💕
I so endorse this type of wedding – intimate, low-key, a beautiful natural setting with sun, sky, and sea as witnesses. Oh, and a covert lady spy in sensible shoes! Love it!
Thank you, Maggie 💕 “Covert lady spy in sensible shoes”…I love this!!!! In actual fact, I was already barefoot whilst operating in spy mode but I love your description so much 😍
I love her flower selection! A little wild and definitely colorful. Just as it should be. Congrats to the couple and to the mom in the lovely blue dress with the wrong shoes!
Thank you, Kate 💕 I only wore the wrong shoes for about 2 minutes at the ceremony, and then switched back to my handy Birks (that got me into the forest and to the ceremony site). I do very much love my “wrong shoes”…they have a tiny kitten heel so are easy to wear, but alas do sink very quickly into the soft forest floor. They made a reappearance at dinner, so that was fine. Those flowers though….wowsers!
Congratulations!!! At first I thought you might have eloped 😂😂. Happiness abounds across the board 💕
HA! Now, that would have been a HUGE secret, now wouldn’t it? Thank you, Pam 💕 Happiness does indeed abound across the board. 😁
How wonderful! Congratulations to your daughter & son-in-law 💕. Such a beautiful setting to exchange vows & I love that they chose to do low key. Wishing them both many years of love, laughter & joy together ❤️
Thank you, Lynn 💕 I loved everything about their nuptials.
That was a beautiful post, and the bride looked gorgeous! The setting was incredibly beautiful.
Congratulations to them both! May their love grow and rock on for years, and years. 😀🥰
Thank you, Deborah 💕 I will be sure to pass on yours and everybody’s congratulations!
🥰
Oh, I love this!!
Congratulations!!
Thank you, Kari 💕
Oh! This is FANTASTIC news!!!! Congratulations all around!! And I totally agree, that – in my opinion – is the perfect wedding. – All you need it love… <3 You're all just beautiful and I love your dress and those earrings! Of course your daughter is gorgeous… <3
Thank you very much, Mimi 💕
Oh you sneaky-sneaky MOTB! What a secret to have kept!
Joyous day for all and everything absolutely beautiful!
💕💕💕 to everyone!
Thank you very much, Del 💕 It was killing me (the secret) 🤣
Congratulations Deb, weddings can be such a hassle. Our younger daughter eloped we didn’t even get a chance to be there. Sometimes that’s the best way.
Leslie
Thank you, Leslie 💕 I’ve become a huge fan of weddings done this way. If I had it to do over… (and thankfully I don’t 🤣)
me too!
Congratulations to your beautiful daughter and new son-in-law! What a gorgeous location to get married in. Weddings are oftentimes stressful for the very people who should be enjoying them. Good for the newlyweds for designing their day to suit them. Love, love your earrings 😘
Thank you, Janis!💕 Yes, weddings can be stressful and this one was everything but! How come my daughter is already smarter than me??? Not fair 😤😉😁
WOW..betting that was a beautiful wedding. Being that I photograph weddings at a small venue, or if another photographer is hired I shoot Behind the Scenes pics, I would love to shoot on a beach. Love your dress but she, those shoes would be rough in the woods. I have a round pair of silver earrings almost like that. Just be careful, if you wear them one day, come home and take a nap..take them out, they bend easy. As for son in laws ring…LOVE, LOVE, LOVE. My birthstone.
Thank you Pamela 💕 SIL’s ring was special ordered from Etsy. It is beautiful! I am being super careful with those earrings…they are fragile!
Beautiful on every level!! It’s nice to see contagious happiness.
Thank you, Donna 💕 It certainly was beautiful on every level.
Yay! Congratulations to you Deb and your daughter and new son-in-law. What a spectacular location on an absolutely gorgeous day! You (and they) looked beautiful and even more importantly very happy. And I agree with Janis that keeping a wedding simple and stress free should be on everyone’s list. And thanks for sharing the photos of this happy day. ~Kathy
Thank you, Kathy 💕 It feels good to be able to share the great news! 😁
Congratulations to your daughter and her new husband! It looks perfect, and no, I don’t think anyone caught on to what you were doing. Plus the results were really cute!
Thank you, Dawn 💕 Hehehe!
I’ll have to pass this idea to my son. He and his smarty-pants girlfriend are trying to find a way to have a low-key wedding.
Elopements have become a business of their own, it seems. Just about every hotel in Tofino has an “elopement package”. Seems a bit contradictory to the whole idea of eloping, but hey! Obviously there is a demand. My daughter and son-in-law did their wedding entirely on their own. Figured out what was important to them and ditched the rest. Being in a pandemic situation still helped too. The perfect excuse for a small affair, and shuts up those who have something to say about it (like “why wasn’t I invited?”).
What a wonderful event. It sounds perfectly suited to your daughter and her new husband. As an ex-florist who specialized in weddings I’ve got to say the bride’s bouquet was spectacular!
Thank you, Jean 💕 I thought the bouquet was a real show-stopper!
They look so happy. Everyone looked gorgeous and the weather looked like it smiled on the party as well. Although, I wonder if your daughter had something to change into as her dress wouldn’t have been comfortable wet after the photos!
Thanks, AJ 💕 The weather was absolutely perfect. Yes, my daughter changed out of her wedding dress and into another dress for our dinner.
Congratulations! What a beautiful day! And those earrings are very cool!!
Thank you, Tracey 💕
An exceptionally beautiful and moving post, Deb. I am happy you are able to share some photos of this special day and this special union. I can see the happiness and love in the photos and a Mother’s love in your words.❤️ Also a super fun way to have a wedding! Your daughter and her now husband look wonderful. You are a gorgeous Mother of the Bride! I wondered how you would be able to wear the earrings. Stylin! I am smiling all the way through the post. Yay!! Congratulations!!❤️
Thank you so much, Erica 💕 It was a fun, relaxed, love-filled day.
Beauty and happiness all around. Congratulations!
Thank you! 💕
This is so lovely and I love that they did it ‘their way’!! You and the bride both look radiant. Wishing them a lifetime of joy together.
Thank you very much, Suz! 💕
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What a lovely celebration. And, they lucked out with the weather too. Congratulations to the new bride and groom and to the proud mama!
Thank you, Liesbet 💕
Romance..secrets, elopement..had to reread it. Happiness!
Thank you 💕
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