2023 was really the year of backyard bashes for me!

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Darby and Brenden, now surf-loving residents of California, jetted back to Canada to tie the knot in an intimate and sweet affair at Brenden's parents' White Rock home. These two were the epitome of California-cool - laid-back, sunkissed, effortless and fun-loving. They kept a coastal nod to their now home in Brenden's light linen twill suit with relaxed unbuttoned shirt sans tie and Darby's unique beaded nude gown and clean sun-bronzed make up - talk about beachy surf-goddess vibes!

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For their first look, we headed to a nearby quiet park, away from the crowd-heavy beachside White Rock favourites, with the most beautiful tall grass that complimented the tones of their outfits perfectly! Brenden's reaction to seeing Darby for the first time was one of the sweetest reactions I've seen, and with good reason, she was absolutely glowing. Family quickly joined the group for photos before heading back to the ceremony location, leaving us to continue with portraits. These are definitely some of my absolute favourites of the summer - everything just looks so perfect, it could be a styled shoot! Doesn't hurt that these two are both bonafide smoke shows ;)

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Portraits in the can, it was back to Brenden's parents home where guests were arriving for the ceremony, set up in a pretty foliage-laden corner of their gorgeous backyard. Officiated by a family member, the ceremony was very personal, very sweet, and boy were there tears! There were multiple kleenex boxes getting a workout being passed around! Punctuated with a kiss and popping champagne, the ceremony led seamlessly into a cocktail hour with wine and canapes as a dinner buffet was set up along the side of the house.

As the wining and dining got underway, heartfelt and funny speeches were aplenty, bringing more tears and a healthy dose of laughter. If spending the day with them thus far wasn't enough proof of how great they are together (and it definitely was enough!), seeing the way Darby & Brendan's families embraced their new in-laws really hammered it home. Their moms really seemed to be the best of friends, and the whole families already felt deeply meshed. Honestly, just so much love!

As the sun set, a surprise performance from a pal who wrote a song for the newlyweds brought speeches to an emotional close. More surprises waited in the garage, though, as friends presented the newlyweds with new matching surfboards customised with photos of them. The fins were a hilarious touch, plastered with goofy photos of each of them and of their beautiful golden retriever.

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Cake cutting and a first dance that bled right into everyone cutting the proverbial rug beneath the charming fairylights strung across the patio and backyard made for the perfect ending to a truly perfect day, and a masterclass at bringing some laidback surfer energy to a wedding day!

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2nd shot for Nomad by NK