Rhea & Ben's Wedding - John M.S. Lecky UBC Boathouse - June 28, 2019

When Rhea first contacted me and told me that she was getting married at the John M.S. Lecky UBC Boathouse I got SO excited!! I got married at UBC boathouse and I know how insanely beautiful it is. I have always wanted to go back for some type of event as a photographer or otherwise. The venue was definitely on my wedding photography bucket list and so I was pumped.

I was really excited but also very nervous about this wedding, I got ready super early and triple checked all my equipment. Shooting at this venue almost felt like performing in front of one of your idols. That sounds so bizarre, but I really have fond feelings about this place!!

The day started off with some suspicious weather. It had been pouring the night so I wasn't sure what to expect. I know Rhea and Ben really wanted to have an outdoor ceremony so I was really hoping the day would stay dry. Thankfully, it was cloudly but bright for the rest of the day, which was wonderful as we were able to shoot anywhere.

Spoiler Alert: Ben and Rhea LOVE craft beer and specifically Twin Sails Brewing .We actually did their engagement shoot there. It was a hopping good time (see what I did there?)!!

At that shoot Ben suggested I try Dat Juice Citra Pale Ale and it has since become one of my top faves! So, I wasn't surprised to see some of that amazing Port Moody ale present when I arrived at the guys' hotel room.

Ben had some really nice beer glasses engraved for his groomsmen and they enjoyed a drink while getting ready. Actually in complete transparency, they were totally ready when I arrived and I told them to get dressed again, haha! If I had a dollar for every time I have told a group of guys to get undressed well then.... you get the idea. Moving on... this is super common, I think the guys are pretty excited so they are usually ready pretty early.

Ben and Rhea both gave each other very thoughtful gifts on the day of their wedding. Rhea gave Ben (who is a hockey player) a hockey stick tie clip and cuff links with a photo of his dad who passed away and couldn't be present. I really love it when couples really take the time to add these meaningful details. It is so sweet!

At one point someone in the group made the joke "Now is your chance if you wanna take off!!" to which Ben responded - very seriously - "I would never!" oh man, Rhea got a good one!

The girls were getting ready in the same hotel, although it felt like a different city because holy cow! It took forever to schlep myself over to their side of the hotel. Once I got there everything was moving along very smoothly, the mood was great! We got some really cute photos on the bed with the girls and Rhea put her incredibly beautiful dress on which she got from Everything But The Groom (the same place my wife got her dress!). Rhea used her grandmother's mirror from when she was a little girl to get ready, another super cool detail.