“Thirteen years after they first met, Brittni and Alex were married in an intimate backyard celebration in Tofino. Though they considered eloping abroad, the desire to gather their immediate family under one roof led them to an enchanting estate with a yard and sweeping water views. ‘We wanted a place where our nieces and nephews could play, and the adults could stay up late talking,’ Brittni says. ‘When we found the homestead in Tofino, we knew it was the right venue for our Pacific Northwest estate wedding: nature-forward, intimate but also casually elegant.’ The couple had already honeymooned in Italy earlier that year, and the spirit of al fresco dining carried through to the wedding: heirloom tomato bocconcini salad, spring pea risotto, local salmon, and a DIY spritz bar (with sparkling water for the kids). Local British Columbia cheese, fruit, and vegetables were served during cocktail hour and wine from Italy was served with dinner. The gathering—just 17 guests—centered around shared memories and backyard fun. ‘We wanted our nieces and nephews to look back on this as one of those magical childhood days,’ Brittni says. The yard was filled with games—badminton, bocce, soccer, horseshoes—and a treasure hunt kept the youngest guests entertained during portraits. Every detail carried sentimental value: pink glassware from Brittni’s granny, silver flatware from Alex’s parents, as well as fine china and crystal candle holders from both families. The champagne bucket, silver platters, and crystal liquor bottle once belonged to Brittni’s stepfather. Monogrammed napkins and hand-embroidered linens done at her bridal shower added a handmade touch. ‘We brought everything we were given,’ Brittni says. ‘It was our way of including everyone who couldn’t be there.’ Her gown—elegant yet effortless—was a simple satin dress with a sheer illusion back, discovered at a boutique near her childhood home. A lace overskirt, reimagined as a cape veil, added ethereal softness. ‘I knew the sunlight through the veil was going to be magical,’ she says. She got ready in a vintage silk robe she picked up in Florence. ‘It was everything we hoped for,’ Brittni reflects. ‘Romantic, relaxed, joyful, and completely us.'”
– British Columbia Wedding Photographer, Capri Kimberly Photography
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