HEATHER WILKINSON | Photographer

I sure love a relaxed, backyard wedding!  Thomas & Holly do too and they hosted an awesome one at Holly’s parents’ home, complete with lawn games, a pig roast, corn on the cob, burgers & chicken kabobs, and a serious dessert buffet.  They are a sweet, fun-loving pair and their friends and family are an awfully good time too and we sure enjoyed our time with everyone.  Here’s a look at their day!

They thought it’d be nice to see each other for the first time that day on the campus of UNB where they first met a few years ago in the Forestry program.

I.Loved.This.Wedding.

The simplicity and sincerity of every second of my time with them was my favourite part.  Every single person that was there, and every little detail and thing that happened was all intentionally with great significance and because it meant something very personal to them… never because of tradition or expectation.  The thoughtfulness and personal touches throughout just kept on blowing my mind and warming my heart.  For instance, they had an awesome book theme because of their love for books.  Simon, happy to have the excuse to go book shopping, hand selected a book for each and every guest… and then they wrote a personalized message inside the cover for everyone.  Who does that?!?!  Simon and Airlie do.  Another thing I had never experienced before was that they invited everyone to their cottage prior to the ceremony to meet each other and then they all walked together, Simon & Airlie leading the way, out to the garden for their emotional ceremony which was written and co-officiated by her brother.  With Simon being from BC and Airlie being from PEI, they used Pacific and Atlantic sand in creative ways as well.  They had a local PEI jewellery artist make their wedding bands using both white gold and rose gold, each being textured by their own coastal sands.  Again, who does that?!?!  Simon and Airlie do.

I met these two only that day, and spent only 5 short hours with them, but I can honestly say that I wish that they didn’t live so far away because I want to hang out again :)  Their love for each other and the people they surround themselves with, their sincerity in all that they do, and their radiant happiness is beyond infectious, and I love how that came through in their images.  Here is a small look into their evening…

It was a beautiful day along the Miramichi River for Matthew & Jillian’s backyard wedding.  Growing up just across the river from each other and yet not knowing one another, one fateful day they laid eyes on each other at the local Wal-Mart and their love was born :)  They designed their wedding day to allow for lots of time with their special guests and even arranged a relaxing boat ride up the river with their wedding party for a unique grand arrival at The Rodd for their reception.  Everyone and every detail was so lovely and I was happy to have been a part of it all!