From first look to final dance, Kareen and Russell’s romantic Vancouver Island wedding remained true to their vision and their relationship. The pair planned a wedding based in nature, utilizing the natural color palette of Strathcona Park Lodge. We love that their natural theme even included what they wore, dressing in only natural fibers. Photographer Jennifer Armstrong beautifully captured the story of Kareen and Russell’s day, incorporating the couple’s quiet intimacy, the casually romantic tone of the ceremony, and the fun personality of the pair and their loved ones.
The Couple: Kareen and Russell
The Wedding: Strathcona Park Lodge, Vancouver Island, British Columbia
The Inspiration: “We both love the outdoors and feel a strong connection to nature. Our wedding was located at Strathcona Park Lodge, which in itself is the epitome of west coast living. Situated on Upper Campbell Lake on Vancouver Island it is rustic and lets nature’s beauty take center stage. I myself am very simple and love classic, clean design. Our wedding was primarily styled with touches of white, burlap, lace, and wood. I didn’t involve any colour and instead let nature’s rich greens and natural textures take precedence. Russell and I both have close ties to the marine world, and I myself am a photographer so we made sure we had touches of that amongst the décor. We wanted the day to not be too stuffy or pretentious and instead give off a sense of ease and comfort for our guests. As for fashion, we kept with a light palette and stuck to pieces that were made from natural fibres, and comfort was a must! I wore a custom silk dress and Russell a tailored cotton suit. My bridesmaids and maid of honor had free range as to what they wanted to dress in and it wasn’t until the day of I saw it all come together! We kept the groomsmen and best man’s outfits comfortable and classic. All together it came together beautifully and felt it suited all of our tastes!”
The Moments: “Russell and I decided to do a “first look” before the ceremony and had arranged to meet in the forest. We are both private people and I thought the first time we saw one another is something to be shared intimately. It was the best choice we could have made. Not only did it make walking down the aisle and saying our vows a breeze but it gave us a moment to truly soak in the moment. Nothing will ever take away the memory of seeing my fiancé shed a tear and us both being completely consumed by how much love we have for one another and how momentous that day meant to us both.”
The Wedding Team:
Photography – Jennifer Armstrong Photography
Venue – Strathcona Park Lodge
Floral Design – Comox Flower Pot
Wedding Dress – Blush Bridal Boutique
Bridesmaids’ Apparel – Aritzia, Gypsy 05
Groom’s Apparel – Moores
Groomsmen’s Apparel – Moores
Live Band – Dirty Animal
Rentals – Black and White Event Rentals, Nest Vintage Studio
Rings – Peoples Jewellers
Thank you to Jennifer Armstrong for sharing such enchanting images, and to Kareen and Russel for letting us in on their special day. For more Vancouver wedding inspiration, check out Nadine and Jeff’s Pacific Northwest inspired Vancouver wedding.
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