Ashley and Keegan chose to enjoy their wedding day surrounded by everything that makes their hearts full – From their private elopement a week before their family arrived, to their exchange of vows in the forest tucked in by the treetops, every part of their wedding celebration was curated perfectly to represent them as a couple and their lives together living in small tow n British Columbia. We ventured to their favourite waterfall location where Keegan proposed for their first look, and they shared their first dance in the moss while the sunlight danced in around them. After hanging out in the forest all day, we met back up with family at their home in Winlaw, BC for the rest of the evening. Ashley’s wild and beautiful flower gardens were the perfect reception decoration to match the mountain views across the sky. They shared stories, laughs, and watched the sun go down over the mountains from their backyard.
Ashley and her mom shared the morning together to get her ready for the wedding. Keegan had left handwritten notes for Ashley to find around their home for the morning when she woke up with words of love and encouragement, and it was the most thoughtful way to be apart with her that morning even though they were apart. She handpicked her bouquet from her own flowerbeds that she grew herself for the wedding. I will never get over how beautifully wild her garden is with shades of every colour to choose from! Ashley chose to do her own simple hair and makeup that let her gorgeous gown from @hellobeautifulbridalboutique shine which isn’t hard for such a beautiful wedding dress.
Even though they eloped the week before in private, Ashley chose to not wear her wedding dress to keep a surprise for their wedding day celebration with family. We met Keegan at their favourite spot beside a waterfall tucked into the trees, and they shared a first look and soaked In all of the wedding day feels together before their ceremony. Ashley ditched her shoes before she even met Keegan in the forest, and they frolicked along the edge of the falls barefoot and happy. I love first looks for the opportunity to enjoy some time together alone on your wedding day! Ashley and Keegan were freaking models cozying up in trees and walking along the water, it was so magical.
Family and friends followed the hand painted signs that Ashley and Keegan made that brought them to the ceremony location in the middle of the Slocan Valley forest. They chose to share their vows in front of a tree that was joined together, a nod to their marriage and their love of nature that they both share. Listening to their vows had me all in my feels, the love and passion they share for each other pouring out with every word they spoke. We heard a tree fall close in the distance, and Keegan immediately was ready with “Like that tree, I have fallen for you” and it could not have been a more real and laughable moment that we all shared together. Hugs and laughter followed their ceremony, and they walked along the trees to then share their first dance together in the moss. Sunlight streamed down over them, with their family and friends surrounding them. It could not have been a more personal and beautiful moment to share and watch.
We stayed in the forest for their bridal portraits, and Ashley and Keegan continued to get cozy in the trees, I have never seen two people look so beautiful laying in the moss than these two did. They truly do belong in the forest, so taking their photos in with the lush ferns and the tallest trees was only right. We walked down the edge of the forest where the trees meet the lake, and warmed our bodies with the sunlight. I loved just letting these two vibe together for photos, they wandered along the rocky edge and really just enjoyed their time together, which is really what it’s all about! It’s your wedding day, you should be enjoying every second of it!
Their friends and family gathered at their home in Winlaw, BC where they started preparing dinner – a good ol’ fashioned potluck bbq while waiting for Ashley + Keegan to arrive back. Cozy reception tents from Shady Spaces https://www.shadyspaces.ca/ were placed around the yard and each vintage table was styled with a different vase full of flowers handpicked again from Ashley’s flowerbeds. Casual speeches were shared as the night cooled off, Ashley and Keegan cozied up In a quilted blanket to keep warm and keep comfy. I love intimate weddings for the sole fact of being able to enjoy the company of every person there, and watching these two light up being able to speak with all of their guests was the best to see. They truly did enjoy every part of their day to fullest.
I feel incredibly grateful that Ashley and Keegan invited me to drive 11 hours to their home and be apart of such a beautiful and intimate day with them. If you are thinking about eloping in the Mountains, we should chat!!
“These are absolutely beautiful!! THANK YOU SO MUCH. We just finished looking at them!!!! We appreciate you so incredibly much! Thank you for being your beautiful radiant self on top of being a fantastic photographer. We have reflected sooo many times and are in such awe and are so happy you were there capturing us and celebrating and hanging out with us!! Thank you thank you thank you. “ – Ashley + Keegan Mabbutt
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