Epona Rise Retreat mountain wedding

Tucked in a valley at the base of Tod Mountain, the Epona Rise Retreat Center is a quaint, quiet, beautiful getaway… perfect for an intimate gathering of friends and family, together to celebrate two of the loveliest people as they pledged their love and and began life together as newlyweds. The retreat centre is relatively new to the Kamloops wedding venue scene, but I know once word gets out that it’s here it’s going to be one busy place. It’s just a 10 minute drive from Sun Peaks Resort and has everything you need for a small to medium summer wedding.

I already knew from their engagement session that Sam and Mike are adventurous. And that they are magic to photograph together. Seriously. Tuck the two of them into a quiet little corner of anywhere, get them to snuggle in and watch the magic happen. It’s pretty incredible 🙂

The bridesmaids dresses were a deep burgundy and they all looked SO GOOD! They had plans for the photos that included leather jackets, and I was happy to accommodate that! They looked epic in front of the venue’s red barn! Sam’s dress had a sweetheart neckline and delicate rhinestone straps, with a beautifully detailed lace overlay and lots of sparkle, just like Sam! With those stunning eyes and cascading hair catching the breeze, she was a vision. Mike’s face as she walked down the aisle pretty much said it all 🙂

The guys wore blue tuxes with burgundy ties, and looked sharp! The colors looked amazing, and add to it the beautiful natural backdrops we had and the effect is stunning!

The florals by Kamloops Florist were a stunning display of dahlias, peonies, and astilbe in hues of pinks and burgundy’s, accentuates with cascading greenery, including olive leaves and eucalyptus plus a bunch I can’t name, lol. Beyond just bouquets, these florals graced the ceremony archway and were strewn all over the head table and guest dinner tables interspersed with an amazing and eclectic collection of gold and brass pieces, from antique tea settings to candlesticks and vases. It was really gorgeous!

I met up with Sam and her entourage at their place in Sun Peaks, photographing the preparations with her bridesmaids and family. Such a great way to start the day 🙂 The girls decided to get dressed at the ceremony venue to save their dresses, so we all drove to Epona Rise, where the guys had spent their morning, finishing up a few last minute tasks and getting ready for the day. In spite of weather predictions for the day, we stayed dry, and even had a bit of sunshine…perfect for an outdoor wedding where the setting was really the whole point.

The ceremony was held on the lawn framed by forest on one side, and rolling farmland giving way to mountains on the other. It was such a peaceful setting, the perfect complement to the joy rolling off this couple! The groom may have been a bit nervous at first, but the second he saw his bride the nerves fell away and his whole face lit up into a huge smile, it was so fantastic to capture that, and that photo just makes me smile every time I come across it. I do love love after all!!! lol.

After the ceremony and family photos the bridal party meandered around the property finding all sorts of great little vignettes for photos. Shooting at a place for the first time is always an adventure, exploring light an tucking ourselves away into sun dappled corners. …sigh… After photos everyone was ready to eat and celebrate, and eat and celebrate they did!!!!!! What a great bunch of people, it was an honour to photograph the festivities!

Enjoy a look into Sam and Mike’s incredible day!!!!!!!! xo