An Intimate Tofino Wedding at the Wickaninnish Inn // Paige + Jamie

Wedding

May 15

Tofino is one of my favourite places in the world to shoot and I’m usually lucky enough to travel there a few times every wedding season. Last August, I got to celebrate a very special Tofino wedding when Paige and Jamie tied the knot.

Paige and Jamie held their ceremony on the grounds of the Wickaninnish Inn and their reception at the nearby Tofino Resort and Marina. Everything about their day was so them. It was intimate, it was heartfelt and it showed how much this couple loves having fun with their people.

From playing flip cup with their wedding party to a secluded ceremony in the forest, I’m so excited to share Jamie and Paige’s Tofino wedding with you!

Creating a heartfelt wedding day that’s true to you.

Paige and Jamie first reached out to me on Instagram. Paige messaged me saying, “Your photography is absolutely stunning! I LOVE the natural colouring of your photos and everything about them. I would love to have you capture our special day because this day is so important to me, and I want to remember it forever, and to have your photos to look back on would be amazing because your work is so fantastic.”

Of course, I was so psyched to meet them and be a part of their day, especially when they told me what they were planning. Paige and Jamie wanted to make things fun and not stick to old traditions, which was more than fine by me!

Rather than inviting all of their guests to attend the ceremony, Paige and Jamie opted to keep things more private. They had an intimate ceremony in the woods with only a few close family members. I felt so honoured to be included in that special moment!

Back at the Wickaninnish Inn, the newlyweds rejoined their wedding party for a quick snack and some portraits on the beach. We then headed to their reception venue, Shelter Restaurant at Tofino Resort and Marina.

Jamie and Paige envisioned a long table with all of their loved ones around it for dinner and that’s exactly what they got. Sitting out on the patio at Shelter Restaurant provided the perfect space, and gorgeous harbour backdrop, for their reception.

Paige and Jamie wanted their reception to be all about delicious food and a fun party. So we skipped the first dance and speeches in favour of a competitive game of flip cup: Paige and her bridesmaids VS Jamie and his groomsmen. The boys took the first round but the girls battled back and won the second!

Capturing your magic wedding moments, no matter the weather.

Having photographed weddings and events around British Columbia for the last 9 years, I’ve learned to be adaptable to the weather. And nowhere is that more important than on Vancouver Island!

Jamie and Paige’s wedding day started out bright and sunny. I was able to capture some great detail shots in Paige’s hotel room with the light streaming in through the windows.

During portraits, the weather took a turn and the beach filled with fog. Luckily, that gave Paige and Jamie’s couples portraits a soft and dreamy feel, perfectly representing their modern, minimalist and romantic vibe.

We ended the night with some fun flash shots, at the bride’s request! Paige and her wedding party had a great time popping a bottle of champagne, which allowed me to create a series of editorial, nighttime portraits.

Why I love weddings at the Wickaninnish Inn

There are quite a few beautiful wedding venues in Tofino, such as Long Beach Lodge Resort, Pacific Sands Beach Resort and Middle Beach Lodge. But one of my favourite venues in Tofino has to be the Wickaninnish Inn.

Not only is the Wickaninnish Inn an incredible place to stay, but it offers so many locations for your wedding ceremony and photos.

I’ve shot weddings at the Wick a few times and am always impressed by the versatility of backdrops. You can take your wedding photos inside their beautiful rooms, amidst the greenery of the rainforest or walking on the sand of Chesterman Beach.

No matter where you take your wedding photos at the Wickaninnish Inn, you’ll get that charming West Coast feel!

3 tips for your Tofino wedding on Vancouver Island

Tofino is an amazing place to get married on Vancouver Island, but it’s not for everyone. Check out my three tips below to ensure your Tofino wedding goes off without a hitch!

Be prepared for unpredictable weather: As you can see from the photos of Jamie and Paige’s Tofino wedding, the weather really can change in an instant. Even in the summer, it’s unpredictable, so you have to be up for anything!
Book your accommodation in advance: Summers in Tofino are extremely busy and accommodation is hard to come by. It’s important that you, your wedding party, your guests (and your vendors!) book accommodation as soon as possible - especially now that Airbnb regulations have changed.
Arrive early: There’s only one road in and out of Tofino. If anything happens along that road, you can get stuck. That’s why I recommend arriving in Tofino at least a day before your wedding.

While there are some challenges to planning a wedding in Tofino, I still believe it’s totally worth it for the right couple.

If you’re an adventurous, outdoorsy and laid back couple, if you’d love to wake up the morning after your wedding and go for a surf in the Pacific, and if you’re happy to put up with a few small town quirks, a Tofino wedding or Tofino elopement might be perfect for you!

And if you need a photographer for your Tofino nuptials, you know who to call!