September 10, 2014June 12, 2015

Joyous Point Ellice Wedding | Adrian and Melinda | Victoria, BC

Adrian and Melinda got married last Saturday at Point Ellice House in a wedding that I can only describe in one word — joyous. Considering that it was planned in just 3 short months, the day was gorgeous, with heart felt touches and lots of laughter.

I met Melinda and her bridesmaids at Dockside landing. She had planned to be rowed over to Point Ellice House in a boat her grandfather had made himself. Her dad and a family friend accompanied her across the water.

I love the wood hearts! <3 <3

Getting ready to embark

There they go.

View from Point Ellice House. Yes, after the left, I high tailed it to my car, drove like a madman across the bride, yelled at a garbage truck blocking my access to parking, drove around looking for parking, and then ran to the venue. But, I made it with plenty of time to spare.

Not every groom can rock heart shaped glasses.

Disembarking at Point Ellice House.

Wedding Celebrant Barbara Densmore – amazing. Wish I had had her do my wedding. Highly recommend!

OMG! A ring BEAR-er. So cute!

Grandma and Aunt blessing the rings. The rings were passed around so everyone could put loving thoughts into them. Awesome!

Couldn’t decide if I like this one in colour or black and white.

A nice moment between bride and maid of honour.

I’m not sure what happened but I think Adrian may have read the wrong part of the ceremony.

Exchanging rings.

Like myself, Melinda taught in Japan. Unlike myself, she had a host family while she was there. They sent this gorgeous tray as a wedding present, that the couple used as a tray to sign their wedding papers.

Father and mother of the groom giving advice on marriage. They’ve been married 45 years, so I think they know what they are talking about.

I love the way fathers of the bride look at their daughters on their wedding days.

Adrian’s favourite tree is the Arbutus — it’s even in his wedding ring. Fitting as a backdrop!

Yay. We did it.

A quiet moment.

The head table.

Melinda, her mom and grandma made these cakes. And Melinda made the orca fins. So west coast!

Apparently ring bearers like to eat bride’s bouquets FYI!

Croquette madness

I love these glasses. They wore them at their engagement session as well. You can see those pictures here.

Gorge Waterway!

You know I love the bouquet shots.

Melinda used to work for the Harbour Taxis so as a wedding gift, there were tours going from Point Ellice House. We snuck Melinda and Adrian on for a private tour. This is how they came back. My favourite of the day.

Some love from Mom.

My engagement photos decorated the path to the reception. I squealed when I saw them. I love when couples print their pictures BIG. Don’t let them rot on a harddrive.

Each guest had a heart and on the back was something the couple loved about the person. I even had one. Made me teary – eyed.

First dance.The junior bridesmaid Brooklyn was blowing bubbles at them.

Father daughter dance.

Now, in between this moment and the next, I actually had another role. I belly danced a Turkish (for Adrian’s mother) and Egyptian (for his father) number and then taught a small lesson. It was a lot of fun… so many people shimmying with me on the floor. I don’t have any pictures. If anyone has any — I would love to see them. Please email me at shari@sushiricestudios.com

When I met Adrian he showed me that although I can belly dance, he can dance like an Arab (from this video). So he taught a lesson as well at the reception. This might be the best series of photos I’ve ever taken.