Paul & Jessika

A wine country wedding

By Bri Vos

June 28^th, 2015

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Paul

Patrick’s cousin Paul is among his closest and oldest friends. Since Paul lives in Ontario (and other various locations) we don’t get to see him as often as we’d like. So, to help remedy this, for the past few years we’ve met in Kicking Horse for a week in the winter to snowboard, hot tub, drink and play dozens of games of Five Crowns.
The year this tradition began, Paul came back to Edmonton for a few days to hang out after snowboarding. During his visit he spent a significant amount of time on the phone, on our front steps, unable to stop smiling as he talked. When he’d come back inside, he’d play it off all cool, saying he was just talking to some girl he’d recently met while working up north, but we knew there was something big going on between these two.

Jessika

The first time we met this mystery girl, we were in Ontario for a visit. When Jess showed up to the farm in blue velvet high heels, I was both skeptical and intimidated. Given Paul and Patrick’s friendship, I knew whoever he was going to be in a serious relationship with would be someone important in our lives. I was worried.

I’m not a high heels girl and Jess looked the part of someone I had little in common with. The next year, we met both Paul and Jess for snowboarding and it turned out we weren’t so different after all. Despite our choice in shoes (see below for evidence) and our fashion styles (mostly the fact that Jess has one and my idea of style revolves around plaid and inappropriately ripped work jeans), Jess and I got along great.

It was then that I decided Jess needed to be a long term part of our lives and that Paul needed to make sure that happened.

Jessika & Paul

Obviously we were thrilled when Paul & Jess announced they were getting married and were honoured when they asked us to be a part of their day. Patrick doesn’t often put on a suit, but he cleaned himself up to groomsman standards. And personally, I don’t think there ever was a more beautiful couple to photograph.

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Wind in Wellington

Once they were all fancied up, we dragged Jess & Paul down to the waterfront in Wellington. It was a gorgeous early June day: warm sunshine, sparkling water and wind. Lots and lots of wind.

By the time we were finished down by the shore, Jessika’s veil and hair were doing weird and wonderful things. Well, maybe not wonderful from Jess’ perspective.

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A few touch ups and we were ready for the ceremony. From the lavender confetti to the handmade chandelier, they made this place uniquely, beautifully their own.

Family

It’s rare that you see the importance of family take centre stage at a wedding, but these two come from some of the most amazing families I’ve ever met. I’m not just saying that because I’ve married into the extended side of Paul’s family either.
From the moment we arrived, we felt at home with these people. We had never met Jess’ family before but they welcomed us as one of their own and on Paul’s side they know us well and welcomed us in spite of that.

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The wedding party was equally warm and welcoming… I’m starting to sense a theme here. I guess it’s just the quality of people Paul and Jess attract.

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As the sun dipped down, we pulled Jess & Paul away from their guests and asked them to stand as naturally as possible in the field while mosquitos swarmed them. They did great and we captured some of my favourite images of the day in the 10 minutes they braved the bugs.