UBC Cecil Green Park House Wedding Vancouver

Jody & Richard had their Cecil Green Park House wedding in Vancouver on the hottest day of the summer. Like, really really hot. Not a cloud in the sky, and nowhere to hide for shade. Luckily Cecil Green is an amazing spot for indoor photos, which prevented this gorgeous duo from completely melting before the ceremony. I love the charm of the house, and what a huge variety of indoor photo spots it provides. Not only did it shield us from the sun, but it kept the couple hidden during portraits as guests were arriving, so we could really use our time efficiently.

Their wedding had about 40 guests, which was a great number for having all the important people there, but also feeling like you really get to enjoy each person’s presence. I love the way they structured their day (and the photography time). One of my favourite ways to start the day is with documenting the setting up, the nervous laughs, and the calm before the proverbial storm. Then we had the ceremony, followed immediately by shaded patio cocktails, passed appetizers, and a couple of informal speeches. There was some mingling & family photo time, before maps were handed out to the next location: laid back beach picnic at Jericho Beach.

On the way to Jericho, we stopped with the core wedding party crew at Nitobe Gardens at UBC for some portrait time. (Note for other couples & photographers: it must be pre-booked for photo shoots). We spent most of our hour being distracted by piles of adorable baby raccoons, but we used all the willpower we could muster and achieved our photo goals. After a quick change by the couple and their guests – but not by my 2nd shooter and I, who remained embarrassingly overdressed for the beach – it was time for lounging, beer, and bocce.

And I can’t end this novella without sharing the craziest story. Richard’s wedding ring is a sentimental family heirloom, and when he was playing in the ocean with the kids, the ring slipped off. On his wedding day! He was devastated. So that night I quickly sent them the photos I’d taken of their rings, so they could share them on the internet, in the far-fetched hope that someone at Jericho might come across it. The next day, Richard’s mom decided to go back to the beach at low tide, walked out 30ft, and sticking out of the sand was the glint of the silver ring. She must have been SO excited to make that phone call.

I’ve photographed several afternoon/evening weddings now where the party moves on to a new location, and it’s such a fun way to change things up, and switch to a more relaxed vibe. Especially if partying til 2am on the dance floor isn’t your thing. As Richard so succinctly put it in the questionnaire: “No dancing. Footloose up in here.” Booking Cecil Green for just the half day still allowed time for all the parts of the wedding that really meant something to them.

I love what these two said when I asked what was most important to them on their big day.
“It’s been a long time since most of these people have gotten together due to the pandemic. We hope that our wedding is full of love for everyone there, not just us.

Venue: Cecil Green Park House at UBC
Florist: Leafelle Flowers (formerly Sam Solis)
Floral Arch: Enchanted Atelier
Makeup: Ax Art Atelier
Catering: Sage Bistro & Catering
Dress: Rituals of Love
Favours/Gifts: 32 Lakes Coffee
Wedding Ring: Evorden